Ask Your Favorite Models: Is It Chic to Be a Sneakerhead? Inline
Photo: Courtesy of Soo Joo Park / @soojmooj1/8Soo Joo Park, Wilhelmina
“I love sneakers because they’re comfortable. My permanent airport look/long-flight uniform consists of tech knit trainers in different colors. My favorite one is a fashionable sneaker from Marisfrolg; it’s all-white leather, sleek, and has a platform heel that reminds me of my favorite platform Skechers from grade school.”
Photo: Courtesy of Jasmine Tookes2/8Jasmine Tookes, IMG
“I am always in heels, so sneakers feel like slippers to me. Super-comfy, sporty, and stylish.”
Photo Courtesy of Maria Borges / @iammariaborges3/8Maria Borges, IMG
“They’re my fave footwear for shopping, the gym, and strolling through the East Village and Central Park. My comfort shoe, I-have-my-day-to-myself shoe, hang-out-with-my-best-friends-and-family shoe. My this-is-who-I-am shoe and, best of all, I’m-safe-at-home-with-my-boyfriend shoe. That’s what my Jordans mean to me.”
Photo: Courtesy of Dylan Xue4/8Dylan Xue, Supreme
“I always loved Jordans—from the Jordan 5s, 7s, and especially my favorite, the Jordan 11s. I feel sneakers are so slick and street but still underground. Especially since growing up in China meant wearing uniforms to school, one of the few ways you could express yourself was with your kicks.”
Photo: Courtesy of Caylee King5/8Cayley King, IMG
“I got into sneakers because my boyfriend is a shoe customizer, so he paints shoes for NBA players and all sorts of cool people. He introduced me to a new style of sneakers, and I push him to wear shoes he wouldn’t typically wear that I’ve seen in this industry!”
Photo: Courtesy of Bastien Grima6/8Bastien Grimal, DNA
“My dad used to be the manager of a pro basketball team, and he got tons of shoes and basketball gear for free. I started collectsing, mostly Jordan stuff, then mostly shoes. As I played [basketball] during my whole childhood, I combined pleasure and utility. Today as a grown-up, it’s become a link to family culture and a cherished reminder of my childhood. Finally, I combine it with my aversion to bigger brands and multinationals—I love to research what small underground labels come up with. This way, through sneakers, I support real creativity. I like to shop unknown brands when I travel, explore on the Internet, and, of course, keep updated on the new big releases!”
Photo: Courtesy of Diana Timofeeva7/8Diana Timofeeva, Women/360
“I’ve always liked sneakers, but growing up in a small town didn’t give me many options to choose from; the first time I went to Tokyo as a young teenager and saw all the kicks they had to offer, I became completely obsessed and have been collectsing them ever since.”
Photo Courtesy of Marique Schimmel / @mariqueschimmel8/8Marique Schimmel, Supreme
“Sneakers are the best shoes that today in the fashion world you can wear in every situation. It’s 2015—everything goes with a sneaker, from a sports party to a night event. And a big plus: They’re comfortable!”
