I am a sneakerhead episode 223 - @Sneaxstreet_
First up, could you please introduce yourself?
Hey! I'm French, more precisely Parisian, and I'm an eternal 90s teenager. Hip-hop culture, gaming, basketball, and sneakers are the pillars that still accompany me today in my forties.
Do you remember what your first pair of sneakers that you really cared about was?
My love for sneakers started with the AJ6 Infrared in '91. It was a huge gift to receive. At the time, I was playing basketball, and like many young people, Michael Jordan was my idol. I remember it as if it were yesterday—the first time I put them on my feet and played on the fields in my neighborhood. It was unforgettable; I had the impression that I could fly like him. Between the felt and reality, there was a very slight difference, haha. Today, I pass on this passion to my son.
How many pairs do you currently have? Are you planning on keeping that number steady or growing/decreasing it?
I have almost reached the fateful number of owning one different pair for each day of the year, totaling over 300 pairs. I am aware that it is far too many, and having 50 to 100 pairs would already be much more reasonable. Despite selling part of my collection, I end up buying twice as much afterward. One day, I might be reasonable... or not.
You seem to have a great variety of sneakers in your collection, do you have any favourite brands?
I don't have a favorite brand now. As an Art Director and Graphic Designer, I am curious and sensitive to design in general, beyond a brand or a model. However, it is with Nike, and more precisely Jordan, that my passion started. Today, I vary enormously and am glad to see that I am not the only one. In 2023, Hoka, Salomon, Asics, and others have attracted a lot of people who were a little tired of Nike releases and looking for something new.
Do you usually buy sneakers in physical stores or online?
I mainly buy online, but I always enjoy taking the time to try and make purchases in-store. In Paris, there are excellent shops like Opium, Starcow, Broken Arm, The Next Door, and recently, Kith...
How many pairs have you bought in 2023 so far?
At the start of 2023, I said that I would calm down, but I didn't stick to it, haha. I ended up buying around 50-60 pairs this year. In the collection, one is dedicated to running and trail running, but the majority (3/4) are for lifestyle...
What is your favourite pair in your collection?
Even though I don't wear them very often now, my favorite pair remains, and will forever be, the AJ6 Infrared, as mentioned before.
Do you already know what your next purchase will be?
The next pair I'm planning to buy is the Air Max Plus TN Light Photography (Blue Version), which I find really cool with its lightning effect. It could almost be a Star Wars collaboration, haha.
How to you decide on what to buy?
I operate on impulse... and I have too many impulses. My passion for sneakers led me to start customizing sneakers four years ago with the idea of creating my own colorways or using some iconic ones on different models.