China's "White Warriors" make their way to Europe

Thirty years ago bright white Warrior trainers were worn by only those privileged and cool enough to own a pair of them. Now, they find themselves on the feet of cleaners, construction workers and peasants. So why is student Shumeng Ye trying to get the seventies classics back from "China's working class heroes"?

Shumeng placed herself in the daily lives of the Chinese last year when she came back to China to photograph people sporting White Warriors. She has now compiled the photos to make a book, which is sold online, accompanied by a pair of the legendry trainers.

Contributors

Shumeng Ye

"Warriors are really special"

Shumeng Ye was born in China but moved to Europe in 1996.

There are so many foreign brands in China now, all the Chinese brands are seen as being second class. They try to copy Japanese, Korean and American styles and have no story of their own. Warriors however, are really special. My parents' generation has great memories of them! And they look very Chinese, especially the embroidered logo on the back.

The curious thing in China is that the shoes are only found in old-fashioned department stores and street stalls now.

For me the project started when I went back to China for the first time in 12 years in 2006. When I found out about Warriors I was really touched. My family told me that during their weekends they would spend time cleaning and painting their Warriors to keep them super white. They said they were almost impossible to get hold of, even if you were rich. And when I saw them not being valued anymore, I decided I had to do something about it. I wrote to the company and asked for a delivery of 420 pairs to Helsinki. Now you see people in the street wearing them here. That's strange!"

Shumeng Ye