The sparkle in their eyes, the swagger in their step and the extra knowledge they have to have for when guys assume they know nothing about kick captures the essence of a female sneaker fiend. Who ever said that women cannot possibly be fly wearing a pair of fresh kicks was obviously wrong. Some of the flyest women sneaker heads were in attendance at the book release party of Girls Got Kick. The event went down at Philly’s newest sneaker store, Sole Control, 40 plus women came out to the event Friday evening. “The event made fellas recognize they are not the only ones with fly collections,” said Lori Lobenstine the author of Girls Got Kicks.  The book tour has included New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco, Chicago, Minneapolis and a couple other smaller cities. DJ Jovi Baby was on the one’s and two’s while women were getting their nails done to match their sneaks. Jovi represented Philly with over 300 pairs of sneakers. "I was a tomboy as a kid…I played basketball in high school, college, and then later I coached” said Lobenstine.  Lori can be found rocking a pair of 80’s basketball sneakers or Addias she added “their relatable to Boston” orange is her favorite color. This fiend has over 100 pairs. Girls Got Kicks is the first ever photo documentary of females, told from the unique angle of their passion for sneakers. Hundreds of “female sneaker fiends” from around the world, are presented in the beautiful, full color book bursting with portraits and stories as rich as their collections, the women were photographed by Amanda Lopez. The book took two and half years to write, and is inspired by many of the young women she met during her lifelong work as both a youth worker and basketball coach. “The process was amazing meeting so many amazing sneaker fiends and having photo shoots,” said Lobenstine. Famalesneakerfiends.com was founded in 2005 by Lobenstine. The website serves as a meeting place and online community for girls and women all over the world, and most importantly a powerful presence in the mist of a male dominated industry. A large portion of sneaker brands do not advertise their women’s sneakers, with the exception of performance shoes.Lobenstine is interested in way women and girls use sneakers to express themselves. “I am fascinated and moved by the passion we have for our kicks and all the different ways that females express themselves through their kick collections,” said Lobenstine. The book breaks the stereotype that in order to rock a pair of kicks you have to play sports.“Its not about the number, its about you and your passion for sneakers,” said Lobenstine.

The book can be ordered on Amazon.com or at girlsgotkicks.com for $30