I am a sneakerhead episode 219 - @Monsieur_le_bichon
First up, could you please introduce yourself?
Hej, my name is Anna. I am 36 years old and currently live in Heinsberg, Germany, with my husband and our two dogs, Charlie and Sovie.
I've always been interested in sneakers. I guess I owe this to my dad, who was a huge Adidas fan. Even as a kid, I usually had some nice kicks on my feet. However, it wasn't until the late 1990s and early 2000s that I really got involved in the sneaker culture. I was a massive basketball fan at that time, and Allen Iverson was my hero. I remember being in Cologne with my parents when I saw the Reebok 'Answer V' in white and red on the shelf of a sneaker store. That was the first time I truly desired a shoe, no matter the cost. I tried to convince my parents to buy me the shoes, but they refused as they were quite expensive. So, I had to use all my pocket money to purchase them. It was the first shoe that truly meant something to me, and the first time I took photos of a shoe before wearing it. During the mid-2000s, my interest shifted to skate shoes, and the Nike 'Stefan Janoski' became my favorite. I still have several pairs. When I met my husband in 2012, he introduced me to the world of 90s running shoes, and now I've come full circle back to where it all started: basketball.
What is your local sneaker community like, have you had a chance to meet any local sneakerheads?
I buy most of my sneakers online since the nearest physical sneaker store is about an hour's drive away. Moreover, it's easier to find my size (US 9.5 - I have relatively large feet on a women's scale) online. Being a rather introverted person, I'm not really connected within the community and never have been. I usually prefer to do things by myself. The people around me often don't understand what I'm doing and why, but I don't really care because I'm doing it for myself, not for others. Fortunately, I have a very supportive and understanding husband. Lately, I've found it very gratifying to connect with other sneakerheads via Instagram. It can be incredibly inspiring to see what like-minded people create.
How many pairs do you currently have? Are you planning on keeping that number steady or growing/decreasing it?
I have approximately 150 pairs in my collection, and I would like to reduce that number a little due to the limited space in our apartment. But, you know, that's a tough thing. Yet, I frequently browse my collection to find pairs that are ready to go. Sometimes I sell them, but more often I 'demote' them to 'dog shoes,' meaning that I wear that pair whenever I walk our dogs, no matter the weather. Usually, those pairs last about nine months until they're worn down. Currently, I'm rocking the Air Force 1 '07 Low 'White/Poison Green/Photo Blue/Gum'.
You seem to have a great variety of sneakers in your collection, do you have any favourite brands?
I like many brands and silhouettes, yet my all-time favorite brand is Nike/Jordan, closely followed by New Balance and Asics. However, I also have pairs from Puma, Adidas, Autry, Kangaroos, Karhu, and Vans. Lately, I mostly wear Air Max, Dunks, and Jordans, but I'm also very fond of New Balance 'Made in USA and UK' models, as well as Asics's Gel Lyte III and V. However, at the end of the day, it's not the brand that matters but the shoe itself. If I really like it, I buy it. I don't really care about hype because once the hype is gone (all too soon), I still want pairs that I love to wear, not to sit there in their boxes waiting to crumble away.
Have you ever needed to pay a resell premium for a pair of sneakers?
No, and I never will. That's my principle. If I don't get a pair for retail (or below), then it wasn't meant to be. It makes me angry to see so many resellers being lucky in raffles only to put the shoes straight on eBay for profit, leaving those who genuinely want to wear the shoes empty-handed. To me, the only way to fight that problem is to refuse to buy sneakers on resale, even if it means sacrificing some releases. Instead of chasing every hyped release or collaboration, I try to focus on pairs that genuinely appeal to me. If I'm lucky enough to get a so-called hyped pair, it's because I truly appreciate the colorway, silhouette, materials, etc., not just because it's hyped.
Have you bought anything in 2023 so far?
Yes, I have already made quite a few purchases this year, such as the Jordan 1 Highs 'UNC Toe,' 'Washed Pink,' and 'Vibrations of Naija,' my first pair of Jordan 2 Lows ('Cherrywood'), the Jordan 3 'Wizards,' the Jordan 4s 'Craft Photon Dust' and 'Frozen Moments,' as well as some Air Max 1s ('Chili 2.0,' 'Rugged Orange,' and 'Big Bubble Lost Sketch') and Dunks, along with some Asics.
What is your favourite pair in your collection?
That's a tough question, but I would say it's the 2022 Jordan 1 High 'Lost and Found' because acquiring this shoe is linked to something significant that goes beyond the sneaker community. I'm usually not the luckiest when it comes to winning raffles, so I was thrilled when I heard that the Düsseldorf-based sneaker store, Afew, had prepared something special for their in-store release of the shoe. Every buyer of the shoe received a one-year mentorship with the well-known NGO, 'Plan International,' sponsored by Afew, to support disadvantaged children worldwide. To apply for the sneaker (and the mentorship), you had to explain your motivation for the program to Afew. It's such a meaningful initiative, and I had always wanted to support an NGO like 'Plan International' but had never managed to do it. So, I took the chance with this unique opportunity, and fortunately, I was one of the fortunate people who not only got the shoes but also the mentorship, which I'm currently continuing on my own behalf.
Do you already know what your next purchase will be?
I’m really looking forward to the Jordan 1 High „Celadon“, materials seem to be exquisite and the color-blocking is perfect.
Do you have any advice for other women who want to get involved in the sneaker community?
Always be true to yourself and wear only what you like, regardless of what others say. Follow your heart and intuition rather than chasing hypes or seeking likes on social media. Don't be afraid to step out of line and be the person you want to be. As long as nobody else gets hurt, everything's fine. And, most importantly, rock your shoes—don't just stock them!
Make sure to follow Anna on Instagram: