The global sneakers market has seen explosive growth over the years, with data from Statista revealing it's currently valued at a jaw-dropping $80 billion (£63bn).

No longer just for sport, kicks are pop culture icons that can be found everywhere from basketball courts to catwalks. But how did a style of shoes once known as "felonies" conquer the world?

Read on to discover the fascinating history of the sneaker industry, including its major breakthrough moments, mind-blowing numbers, and the most expensive pairs of all time. All dollar amounts in US dollars.