Alife is unique; it is not just a line of sneakers. Alife is a brand, a store, a team of artists, and a lifestyle.

In the city of New York, its hometown, Alife commercially exists both as a retail store (158 Rivington St) and a gentleman’s club sneaker boutique, the Alife Rivington Club (next door, same address). The Alife Rivington Club is considered by some to have started the “lifestyle” boutique and sneaker shop phenomena, widespread in so many cities and towns today. Alife opened their famed Rivington Club in 2001. The Alife Rivington Club strives to provide a private and intimate shopping destination, and, of course, only the most exclusive and coveted sneakers.

But Alife is not just a posh boutique selling rare Nikes and Adidas. Alife also designs, produces, and sells its own brand of sneakers, jeans, shirts, hats, and jewelry. All of their work is done in-house; they do not outsource to design agencies or contractors.

Alife’s first expansion outside of the states was the opening of its Vancouver, Canada flagship in October of 2005. Many wondered why Alife chose Vancouver, the owners simply stating, “We are positioned in Vancouver for a number of reasons that we believe will benefit our brand in the long term.” Alife opened a branch in Los Angeles in 2007, and in 2008 Alife increased its international reach with the opening of Alife Tokyo in the Japanese street fashion Mecca, Harajuku. Alife does have some shop-specific pieces, so you will find a few different and unique items in Vancouver, New York, LA, and Tokyo.