Women Sneakerheads

Ladies love sneakers, or whatever LL Cool J said. Women sneakerheads are all around the world, even in the city of Milwaukee, like Brittany Owens. Inspired by her father, Owens has loved sneakers since a child. Owens’ love for sneakers has grown into Ladies Love Laces, a brand that aims to empower, celebrate, unite, and support women sneakerheads in Milwaukee.

“I feel good when I’m in a fresh pair of kicks. I feel like it’s a part of my personality,” said Owens.

Ladies Love Laces was founded in 2023 as an invite-only gathering for women sneaker enthusiasts. That event evolved into a community-driven brand through events and local partnerships.

“This whole idea came from following women-owned businesses in bigger cities, and seeing them doing similar events. I was like ‘Milwaukee needs this,'” said Owens. Some of those same businesses offered guidance to Owens as she planned her event.

Owens said the first event was trial and error. She wrote down every woman’s name in the city that she could think of who was into sneakers. She sent out invites and was surprised that the majority of the invitees attended.

“The turnout, it kind of blew my mind,” she said.

In its second year, the event opened to the public, relocated to a larger venue, and featured vendors alongside mix-and-mingle activities.

Ladies Love Laces 3 will be held on September 20, 2025, with everything from last year, plus an even bigger venue and a paneled discussion.

Along with celebrating sneaker culture in Milwaukee, Ladies Love Laces stands as a statement that Milwaukee has style, too.

“Honestly, Milwaukee has a fashion sense of its own,” said Owens.

16 Years at Playmakers

Owens’ father is a sneakerhead who passed on his passion to his daughter. He treated her to all the newest shoes and even got her a job at the local popular shoe store, Playmakers Sports Center, on Milwaukee’s Northside.

Playmakers was Owens’ first job, and she stayed with the business on and off for 16 years. It was during this time that she dove deeper into her love of sneakers while expanding her network.

She was able to stay up on all the latest trends, which meant buying her first pair of Jordans, the Cool Grey Jordan 4 Retros, which are still her favorite pair of kicks.

From a teenager selling shoes to an adult hosting sneaker events, Owens is living in her purpose.

“I never would’ve thought everything would line up this way…a brand surrounded by sneakers,” said Owens. “It really has come full circle.”

To purchase tickets to Ladies Love Laces 3, click here.