Author: Bradley Martinez
On the occasion of the second collaboration between Adidas and Youth Of Paris, we wanted to highlight a handful of Parisian creatives to challenge them with the idea of customising a pair of this latest collaborative effort. With the footwear acting as their latest canvas, we sit down with Gabin, Pierre, Raphaël, Solomon and Yanis to learn a little bit more about them and their visions of the Adidas X Youth Of Paris Campus 80.
Hi, I’m Pierre, better known as ”GBCPIERRE“. I am 21 years old and I come from Mulhouse in Alsace. I lived for 12 years in the Paris suburbs. I’m a graphic designer, I started doing this small. Around the age of 12, for youtube channels and logos for Trickshot team on Call Of Duty. I stopped studying 2 years ago now to get into graphic design. Since then, I have evolved a lot in my graphic style and managed to create a real community on Instagram. I work mainly in the field of music for everything that is cover, poster, merch etc. I also work in the fashion field with various clothing brands. I am planned to release a collection of personal clothes by the end of summer. As an example, I worked with ASAP ROCKY, LIL UZI VERT, SUICIDEBOYS, LANCEY FOUX and many others of all levels and nationalities.
I have a fairly strong connection with the city of Paris, I lived there until I was 12 years old. I don’t live in the capital but I’m there most of the time, for work, friends and my girlfriend. I love this city for its architecture and all its cultural possibilities. What inspires me the most in Paris is surely its walls: its graffiti and the old posters that people have never taken off. I really like its various vinyl shops. There is nothing better for me than looking in bins filled with old vinyls.
My personalisation of the pair represents me because in my art, the most important thing is the texture. I am very meticulous about the texture rendering of my creations and I wanted to make this visible on the shoes. I used various metal objects such as chains or staples because I wanted to add a contrast and a trash, punk side. I’m very inspired by punk culture, that’s why I had fun scribbling and crushing a cigarette on it. It was important for me to leave a “Youth OF Paris” imprint on it by signing with the name.
Hi! I’m Raphael. I’ve always loved the ride: hanging out at the skatepark since I was little, it has never let me go. Sneakers and skateboarding in Paris have always been linked and that’s how I was introduced to basketball culture. The trace I left on the Youth Of Paris Campus is that of the grip of my board, which rubs the pair when I do tricks.
My name is Solomon and I am a university student. At the same time, I am a designer for my eponymous brand: Solomon Zahui. I was born and grew up here. Until now, I have never lived anywhere other than in Paris. As a designer, Paris inspires me with its multicultural aspect. I think I evolve as a person and in my art by rubbing shoulders with people from different cultures. Paris allows me to open up to the world and be inspired by it for my creations.
For my customisation of the pair, I started to create an over shoe to add my personal touch to the shoe
without distorting the model, it was my challenge! I applied to the shoe my “feuillage” pattern revisited in a color other than black. I chose to make my blue-grey sheets because I didn’t want a color opposite to that of the shoe, but I also didn’t want to make a tone-on-tone completely. I wanted to continue my winks to the colors of the shoe by choosing a “lila” colour to sew the leaves on the upper, in order to recall the colour of the sole. Finally, I chose to pass the laces over and between the sheets to add more volume to the shoe.
My name is Yanis, I am 21 years old. I am an enthusiast and a “chineur” of mainly vintage clothes. I use my Instagram account Local Case to talk about it and sell the parts I find. My project is based on many styles and cultural elements that have marked the fashion we all know today.
I was born in Paris and grew up in eastern Paris. Since my adolescence, I have been moving everywhere in the capital. It allowed me to meet beautiful people and create influences for myself. From Répu when I was a teenager to go skate and be with my friends in the Marais now for work. The culture of Paris is in the amount of styles that you can see just when you leave home. In the discussions we can have with elders who talk about an era and a way of life that we have not known to younger people who are the age of my little brother and who dress like these elders. This culture we are talking about is on the street.
There is not really any customization on my pair, I just wore it like each of my pairs: without paying attention to anything. We pay too much attention to the condition of our pairs. We forget that it’s made to be worn, that’s what gives a product its charm. With my taffe I know that new jeans have no charm: it is with time that they adapt to you and become unique. For me it’s exactly the same with this pair, the materials that Youth used on it are made for that.
My name is Gabin, I am 18 years old and I am in management studies at the IFM. Besides that, I am especially passionate about vintage clothes from contemporary designers, mainly from the 1990s/2000s. I transcribe this passion for fashion through a project that I have been leading for 2/3 years called “Mysterium Museum“. I talk about this enthusiasm I have for fashion culture based on long writings made by me. I exhibit on the latter my designer archive pieces with written posts on which I explain the story of the designer who imagined them, as well as the inspirations behind these clothes, their characteristics that distinguish them from others… It is a kind of digital museum. Put together, each of the pieces on display tells at the end an important story that has contributed to the fashion we know today. Essentially passionate about designers like Helmut Lang and Raf Simons, most of the clothes I offer are imagined by European designers. I sometimes sell the pieces I find on this project, but my goal here is really to develop this cultural aspect of the archive that is little highlighted in France. I want to highlight this niche culture for vintage designer clothing, because it is partly thanks to the latter that we understand why some things are done today in the fashion industry.
I come from the 18th arrondissement. I was born and grew up here. I think it is the most favorable place in the capital to develop an artistic culture as well as a taste for fashion. Paris is a fabulous place in terms of inspiration and culture, but it also has its flaws. We quickly feel suffocated in this city because in reality Paris is much smaller than we think. Compared to other cities such as Tokyo or New York, I find that Paris has lost its fashion essence. Today, I don’t really have the impression that we can talk about a particular style in our city, or even “fashion”. Moreover, I don’t think I have such an important link with my city, in the sense that I have always been out of step with what was considered “trendy” here. When you are interested in a niche environment, you quickly find yourself feeling out of step with what surrounds you, and this has been my case for several years. Here, there is no community for the clothing archive. This is a very recent phenomenon that comes from elsewhere. So I don’t really feel inspired by Paris when it comes to the world of fashion. I am necessarily inspired by my family and friends with whom I hang out every day, but I think that Paris influences me more on other levels such as architecture, art or design rather than fashion itself.
I opted for a fairly raw custom based on the idea of painting the pair of shoes in black. Something that aligns perfectly with my energy and style based on full black outfits. The goal here was to cover it with an entire layer of black paint to have this first uniform object rendering without details, then, to intentionally damage the pair by hand to have this aged and unique appearance to bring out the specific characteristics of the collaboration. It gives this unique contrast highlighting the shoe with the Adidas plastic heel that stands out, the denim material turned grey once deteriorated… Some might see it as a simple inspiration from the designer Martin Margiela with his handmade clothes painted white, a designer whom I admire by the way, but I think that this custom was first born from the desire to have an object imitating the traces of the past. Many people are concerned about the condition of their clothes and do not want to damage them, I find that this is what makes them better and even more beautiful.
This is what I wanted to transcribe on this custom: a pair of shoes with an artisanal process and then voluntarily deteriorated to have a unique object that resembles me and joins my style, which represents my vision of what fashion is for me.
The Adidas X Youth Of Paris Campus 80’s “Crystal White”, as well as the “Core Black” colour are always available in store and online at Footpatrol here.
At Footpatrol, we’re always looking to meet the faces behind the brands we love or the community members who are doing great things. Started back in lockdown, our Footpatrol Meets franchise provided this opportunity. In our latest episode, we catch up with Jordan Dos Santos who is part of the team at Salomon within the Marketing team.
Whether it’s on the city streets or dominating the trails, the last few years has seen a real upsurge in the Salomon brand. Jordan takes us through some of his favourite silhouettes whilst discussing his relationship with Salomon.
Footpatrol: Hey Jord, thank you for taking the time to chat to us, could you first start by telling us a little about yourself and the part you play at Salomon?
JD: Hey man, first of all thank you for the invitation. I appreciate the opportunity. A little bit about myself – I’m French, just turned 30 years old and Kid Cudi is the greatest artist of all time. On a more serious note, I have been working at Salomon for a year and a half now. I initially started the company to help build the ambassador program for the global brand with a strong focus on outdoor and sustainability. But more recently, I joined the Salomon Sportstyle team. This opportunity was a dream come true as I’ve always wanted to combine my love for sneakers and my career. I can say my life has come full circle. My new job is to drive the global drumbeat of the brand and to ensure that we collaborate and support communities and talent that share the same DNA and values as us. Everything is driven from Annecy, France and it is an amazing opportunity being part of building the brand’s momentum to the top.
FP: I think it’s fair to say Salomon’s current trajectory is climbing astronomically! With a catalogue of notable collaborators mixed with iconic silhouettes over the years, what do you think is the appeal of Salomon in the lifestyle world?
JD: I want it on the record that my opinion is purely personal and is not to be taken as an official statement.
I believe that Salomon made its way to where it is today by staying true to its origins. Salomon has not changed or altered any of their iconic silhouettes to fit into the trends but instead we had The Broken Arm (2015) and later Boris Bidjan (2016) showing interest and letting us know that our footwear could go beyond the trails, and live in the lifestyle space, but not compromise performance. As you can see, a lot of the success has been organic from the very beginning, it came from the communities and lifestyle experts reaching out to us and showing us the potential space we could take in the lifestyle world. You can still feel the authenticity of the brand in everything we do and that’s a real strength to me. That was a long answer just to say that we are authentic and that’s what makes Salomon appealing.
FP: What got you specifically into sneakers?
JD: Simple answer – music.
Less simple answer – The early 2000’s were really influential for me, I grew up listening to Pharrell and Lil Wayne. My love for sneakers comes from this era, as all of these artists were rocking the best in the game. I remember Pharrell rocking Bapesta with crazy colourways or Vans matching his outfit perfectlty. I was always amazed by their style. I would find myself trying to recreate their outfits but as you know as a kid, you would only get one pair of sneakers per year so you had to be sharp with your pick. To be honest, I would not come remotely close to look as cool as them but the inspiration was ignited. Then, I started to see that you can know a lot about a person based on what type of sneakers they wear. Air Max 90? Scarface is your religion. Destroyed checkered Vans? You can barely do an ollie but play wonderwall on the guitar at every party. Nike Foamposite? You wake up in the middle of the night to watch your favorite NBA team lose. New Balance? You’re a PE teacher or a dad at Disney World. I know I just took a shot at everyone and I want to say that I was definitely a big fan of Tony Montana’s work.
I still believe it’s true. Your pair of sneakers says so much about you. With time, I learned to dive into the narrative of the pair, the materials, technologies and so on. My goal back then was to accumulate pairs, to match every hat and every shirt when today I want to buy smarter with a sustainable approach.
FP: What is it you love most about the Salomon brand?
JD: There’s two POVs to this. The outsider – can see that Salomon is doing a great job navigating the sneaker industry and beyond that in the lifestyle and fashion world. You can tell that our unique design could influence other players which in my opinion gives us even more credibility in that space. Also the fact that our shoes can be seen from the trails to the catwalks.
The insider – as I mentioned before, I am witnessing a great moment for the brand. We are still young in the lifestyle space, there’s still so much to do and it’s truly exciting to be there at this time.
FP: As we enter the anniversary year of the XT6 – Can you tell us a bit about the history of the XT6 and what is it that appeals to you the most about this silhouette? Do you have any favourites?
JD: The XT-6 was designed by Benjamin Grenet back in 2013. He was in charge of creating and developing new concept shoes for the best trail runners in the world. Today it is one of the most popular silhouettes in our catalogue but also in the streets.
That’s actually how I reconnected with the brand circa 2020. I remember buying the kangaroo colourway in Berlin back when I was living there. I could notice the silhouette more and more in the streets of the city and the quicklace got me to break my neck. It was also a moment in my life where my sneaker collection was no longer inspiring me. So the XT-6 came into my life at the right time. The first time I tried them on, I found the comfort amazing. You just had to slip your feet, arrange the quicklace and voilà. Back then, they weren’t as popular and I loved people making comments about it or why I would wear trail running shoes in the streets.
For the sentimental value, I would pick the Kangaroo colourway since it’s the first one that got me into Salomon a few years ago. To wear everyday, I would choose the triple white. You may find it odd but I think they look cooler when they are dirty (and they’re also so easy to clean). Probably because it brings them back to what they were made for: mud, trails and dust. For the hype, I would go for the Salomon x Palace collab that released in 2021. The colours are crazy on them. It’s like the perfect match between an OG silhouette and the crazy energy from the London based brand.
FP: there is quite a variety to your collection, what does a sneaker need to have to make it into your rotation? A colourful personality? Tech? narrative? Or all the above? Are there any Salomons on your ‘to buy’ list currently?
JD: Actually, a friend brought this up the other day and noticed that my current rotation is only Salomon and that the loyalty runs deep and that says a lot because before I would wear many different brands. I tend to strive away from the silhouettes I see the most and challenge myself to bring light to silhouettes that need more love. Rocking a pair that makes me go “what are those?” is my main driver. Also I have sustainability in mind so I pay attention to the techs and the colours because I need it to be timeless in order to keep them around for a very long time; but I do have a spicy pair or two that keep things interesting like the ACS Pro collaboration with L’Art de l’Automobile. If I had to mention a pair from my “to buy” list, I would go for the last XT-QUEST 2 ‘Texas’ designed by The Broken Arm. The colourway makes them easy to wear but still with a nice little twist.
FP: if YOU were a Salomon silhouette, what would you be?
JD: If I was a silhouette, I think I would be… a… pair of… (dang hard to pick)… I’d say the X-ALP. It’s been revamped by The Broken Arm, the X-DES ALPES. It is actually the one I rock the most at the moment. The silhouette is smooth, the comfort amazing, it has GORE-TEX technology so I don’t worry about any rain and I love the embroidery details. It ticks all the boxes. Beyond that, the OG colourways go hard. I believe this silhouette has a lot of potential. Perhaps I talk about this as much as I can at the office just in case some designers are listening.
FP: Thank you for having a chat with us, its been great to talk about all things Salomon, are there any words of wisdom, shoutouts, or any advice you can give to those looking to pursue a role get in Salomon brand.
JD: Thank you for your time and the opportunity once again. It’s a first time for me and I loved the experience. I am thankful for where I am right now, working in an inspiring environment, meeting all these creative minds. What a time to be alive. Quick shoutout to my colleague and now best friend Sofia who took the money shots for this article and also to the rest of my team doing an amazing job at putting Salomon where it is today. They make my job very easy everyday.
It’s funny because in 2020 I was buying their sneakers, working in a different industry, in a different country and two years later I am part of the team. I wasn’t necessarily chasing after a position in this industry but maybe my passion being so strong helped manifest this opportunity. To quote Kid Cudi, “It all makes sense in the end”. Keep hope and stay passionate.
Originally released in 2006, followed up with a retro in 2012. The Air Jordan IV ‘Thunder’ is one of the most iconic colour ways of the Jordan IV silhouette. Returning in a full family size with updated materials.
Make sure to get your entries in quickly for the in-store draw and good luck!
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THE BELOW!
The London in-store draw is now CLOSED!
To enter, you’re required to sign up via the above forms, these WON’T be available in-store to sign up on.
All online draws will be hosted over on the Footpatrol Launches App, click here to download!
In-store winners will be contacted via email informing them of their win. Within this email, winners will be given a set of dates in which they must collect their win from our London store. To collect, you will need to provide the winning email and a valid photographic government ID matching the winners name. NO ONE can collect on the winners behalf. Failure to provide this, or failure to collect within the given dates will mean failure to purchase your win.
To sign up to the Online draw, you will need to download the Footpatrol Launches app and complete a pre-authorisation payment of the retail price of the product plus shipping costs. This will be held until draw completion. Those successful will have their win posted out to the address entered during sign up. Those unsuccessful will see a return of their funds, this can take up to 5 working days from when the winners have been drawn. The draw is limited to one entry per household! Multiple entries will be cancelled!
There’s no denying the ever-enduring allure of denim. But deciding what sneakers to wear with jeans can be a tricky task for anyone. After all there are countless silhouettes to choose from not to mention the long list of finishes available too. Whether you like your jeans rigid and raw in a classic straight fit or baggy with a pre-faded stonewash finish, denim always delivers optimal pairing for sneakers.
Anyone who’s into their raw denim will know the pain that inevitably comes with breaking in a new pair of rigid jeans with some fresh white kicks. But if your sneakers are jeans, then the jeans can’t bleed right? The concept of denim sneakers has been around for decades with original jeans pioneer Levi’s having designed some of the first examples in the 1970s with its Levi’s® for Feet collection. Since then, denim footwear has evolved in all shapes and sizes, from dubious denim boots, to hand dyed Chuck Taylor’s, Selvedge Nike Air Force 1’s to the more bizarre editions like Jeremy Scott denim ‘Wings’ sneaker which ascended the denim sneaker throne in all its Canadian cloth glory.
If the truth be told, denim sneakers haven’t had the best reputation compared to their leather and canvas counterparts. Weird design concepts, ugly finishes and bad fabric choices haven’t helped. But despite this there has always been an underlying fetish among sneaker heads for J’eakers. Whether it’s a genuine love for denim or the “so bad it’s good” appeal, denim sneakers have continued to be an obscure object of desire in the footwear world.
That niche obsession has been strangely perforating into popular culture as of late with a growing number of sneaker brands experimenting with denim updates of iconic sneaker silhouettes. Nike have denimfied everything from their Air Jordan 1’s to Air Max 90’s and Dunks, while Adidas have reimagined classics like the Italia SPZL with clever fabric play on the contrast colour effects of denim’s warp and weft.
While many of these major sneaker brands have made brave attempts at manipulating denim onto their icons, none have been as perfectly executed as those with Levi’s. The original San Fran jeans brand transformed New Balance’s 990v3 in “Mallard Blue” in 2021 and later last year they reworked New Balance’s highly sought after 327 model with a stunning two tone denim to show the duality of its asymmetrical design. But it was Levi’s immortalisation of the Jordan 4 that was perhaps the most triumphant. The 2018 collaboration which saw the silhouette reworked in indigo, all-white and triple black denim was a huge success, and most definitely a lot more tasteful than the original 2008 ‘23/501’ pack featuring the Air Jordan 1 Mid with elephant printed denim panels (and matching jeans).
What made the denim-clad Air Jordan 4 such a success was the strategy to put personal expression at its core. “Scuff it. Bleach it. Add patches. Drip paint. Or skip the distressing and rock it straight out of the box,” wrote Nike’s product description. This clever strategy to get consumers to personalise their own pairs in a unique way spoke perfectly to the reasons why people love denim so much in the first place. Rigid jeans, when broken in from raw, repay you with a perfect fit that moulds to your body. And the more you wear them, the more character you’re rewarded with. Unlike any other fabric, it only gets better with age, enhancing with every blemish, rip and repair. It’s no wonder that fanatics go months on end without washing their jeans just to get the perfect fades and patinas that are only achieved through dedicated wear and care.
Sneakers on the other hand, are typically treated with the utmost care. For most sneakerheads, nothing beats the feeling of breaking out a box fresh pair of kicks and many will do whatever it takes to avoid getting the scuffs, creases and discolouring that comes with day to day wear. It’s so ingrained in sneaker culture that a 2012 study in the Journal of Research and Personality noted that shoes are a “thin slice” of perceptions of a person and can be an indicator of a wearer’s wealth and social status. On the surface, it seems logical that impeccably taken-care-of shoes signify that someone is neat and also has the time – and money – to make sure their footwear is cleaned and repaired.
So why is it so that in recent years that pristine shoes are on the out and decrepit soles in? You only have to look at Balenciaga’s limited edition pair of distressed canvas trainers that were sold for a whopping £1,290. Limited to 100 pairs, the industrially beat up shoes looked as though they had been worn on many a night out – not too dissimilar to Lil B’s infamous dirty white vans that allegedly endured two years of solid wear.
The dirty footwear concept has manifested within sneaker culture over the past few years inspiring a growing number of sneaker enthusiasts to intentionally customise new sneakers to make them look like old beaters. Much of this shift in aesthetics falls in line with the growing demand for archive and nostalgia with consumers now coveting aged and worn, over new and clean. In the same way pre-worn Carhartt jackets and Levi’s jeans have become prized for their beautiful patinas and natural fades, sneakerheads are seeking out styles that feature subtle imperfections that lend them with a beauty that only comes with time and wear.
One of the names who has been driving the look is NYC-based creative Philip Leyesa aka philllllthy – who makes retro jordans look like they dropped in the 80s. “I started ageing my Jordans because I couldn’t wear the original pairs or pairs over 10 years old because the shoe would just come apart while wearing them,” he told StockX. “The next best thing was to replicate the vintage look on a recent pair of retros” His process involves using clever techniques to stain soles yellow, distress toe boxes and create aged and cracked uppers. His client list includes names like Daniel Arsham, who commissioned him to give his Dior Air Jordan 1’s the aged treatment. Understandably they divided opinion on whether such a collectible sneaker should be treated in such a way.
The interest around this neo vintage style has continued to grow significantly over the past year with more and more names experimenting with similar techniques. jw.customs, andu.c and noli23 are just a few others that have been appearing on the feeds of influential accounts like hidden.ny. The latter, took Nike’s cue about creativity and ran with it, reimagining Levi’s Air Jordan 4 with bold laundry techniques that wouldn’t look out of place in Sterling Ruby’s studio. His customs come with extreme fading, bleaching, dyeing and hand drawings, with each pair finished with his signature wooden beads embellishment on the laces.
Brands are catching onto the movement too. In 2019, Nike teamed up with Netflix sci-fi hit show Stranger Things for a unique spin on its Cortex, Blazer and Tailwinds models. Each of the styles featured an intentionally unrefined tonal sail fabric upper that can be removed via burning or ripping to reveal a dark blue denim-like base layer – a nods to the hidden-yet-ever present nature of the Upside Down. NYC-based art collective have explored similar characteristics in their GOBSTOMPERS sneakers which encouraged wearers to shred away the surface to reveal the marble patina beneath. Naturally, these interactive concepts have gone viral on social media and help change perceptions on sneaker culture.
Some creatives are taking the art of denim sneakers to another level with meticulous customisations and handwork that make them look more like artworks than sneakers. Vintage sneaker upcycler @foxtrot_uniform recently collaborated with Japanese denim specialist and boro god PREOLETA RE ART for a pair of not-for-sale art piece sneakers co-produced by Poggy. “Despite what some may say about them being outdated, we see life in these shoes and Boro cloth,” said Foxtrot on the project.” Their scuffs, creases, and tears each tell a unique story and only add to their beauty. With Kintsugi sneakers, we take the 15th-century Japanese philosophy of repairing with gold to bring these vintage shoes back to life and celebrate their flaws.”
Working under the pseudonym “PROT”, the anonymous designer behind the Tokyo-based label combines traditional Japanese boro techniques, vintage processing and artisanal craftsmanship. It’s a look that has earned him high profile fans like A$AP Rocky, Lil Baby and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Although this sneaker sadly isn’t available at retail, it is still a marvel to be seen and showcases the lengths some creatives are willing to go when it comes to delving into boro’s rich history and honouring its age-old techniques.
Some Japanese denim masters are choosing to take a more contemporary vision to heirloom textile though. FDMTL explored boro and sashiko in new and modern ways, using jacquard weaves and engineered patchworks for its 2018 Vans collaboration. The result was two pairs of classic Slip-Ons which came covered in irregular stitching and patchworks – the ultimate ode to a wabi-sabi. Ant Kai recently showed off a pair of LV Boro Dunks created inspired by the destroyed denim jacket/jeans from Louis Vuitton’s FW22, Virgil’s final collection that he designed with LV before his passing. “When I saw the pieces used the boro technique, I knew I had to make my own custom based off them,” the creative said on the concept.
Some fine artists have looked to denim as the canvas for self expression too. Beijing-born, Paris-based contemporary artist Wu Yue, used his Soul Goods collaboration with Nike as an opportunity to reframe the Dunk through an imaginary lens of Chinese history. His 00s-inspired Dunk delved into his own paintings, bringing an asymmetrical patchwork of childhood memories of Beijing, personal and traditional symbols and talismans. The printed leather sneaker draws inspiration from his signature fine art style of painted bleached denim that he uses in his large scale paintings. The result is mesmerising to say the least.
With denim firmly in the focus of pop culture more than ever – you’ve undoubtedly seen all those jairs, jorts and jables memes – it’s no surprise that sneakerheads are more willing than ever to don denim sneakers as a way to play into the movement, whether intended as a joke or not. So whether you have an affinity for jeans, or you’re looking for a pair of beaters that you can rely on to get better, rather than worse with age, a denim sneaker is worth investing in. Not only does this fabric offer hardwearing properties, but its durability allows you to throw just about anything at it – whether it’s a night out on the dancefloor or having an artist work their creative magic on it.
Words by Samutaro
Introducing ‘More than a Sneakerhead’ a bimonthly series in collaboration with Women In Sneakers. More than a Sneakerhead is a concept developed by WIS founder Steph HT debunking the limitations and stigmas applied to women in the industry. Running throughout the year, this project highlights some of the new faces within the community, all sharing a love of footwear!
Kicking off the series, we have Jasmin Sehrati, illustrator & designer, creating artwork to uplift and inspire! We sat down with Jasmin to get her thoughts on sneaker culture.
Jasmine : “Over the last few years, we’ve seen more women-led platforms and collaborations. Showing that there has been a shift in the male dominated scene. There are more conversations with women in the industry. I think for me personally, a stand-out signifier of change was when I designed a sneaker with adidas, which was the first of its kind to have been worked on by a woman. Collaborating with them demonstrated to me that they were taking the first steps to level the playing field for women. In my opinion, When it comes to releases, I don’t want brands to put us in a box! Why do we have to have women exclusives? Simply having men’s and women’s exclusive footwear creates a gendered barrier that adds to the stereotypes applied to women that are interested in footwear.
When I look ahead and try to visualise the future of footwear from my perspective – it’s investing in real people and the community. We are already seeing collaborations with women from different backgrounds and cultures. What’s exciting for me is seeing the smaller, independent brands thrive. Brands like Corteiz are a great example, their recent collaboration with Nike was a huge success showcasing how culture can really influence the scene but also goes to show how far you can come, and that there’s a space for you.
I take inspiration from the likes of MIA, Melody Eshani and Yoon Ambush, they each come from minority backgrounds dominating the industry, killing it, and have paved the way for other females. As a Sikh Punjabi woman, you don’t usually see a lot of brown women in this space or in creative spaces in general. So it’s essential to show up because you need to show the younger generations what’s possible.
That being said, I think it’s important to bring home the fact that I am more than a sneakerhead. I’m an illustrator, designer and artist creating legendary work but not only that I’m a brown woman making my mark on the industry. WE OUT HERE!”
When you search DJ Limelight, the first thing that comes up on the BBC site is “The biggest beats from across the UK Asian party and underground scene” and we can’t help but think this is an understatement.
With over 20 years experience behind him, Limelight has been at the centre of BBC’s Asian Network for over 15 years delivering the goods from new, emerging talents through to some of the biggest names within the music industry. Now, Limelight steps up to the decks for what is our forty first Frequent Players guest mix.
Footpatrol: You’ve been an influential DJ within UK and Asian music for a number of years now, can you give us a bit more of an introduction for those readers who may not know of your work?
DJ Limelight: Sure thing. I’ve been a DJ for near enough 20 years now holding down a radio show on BBC Asian Network for over 15 years supporting emerging stars, building the foundations of UK Rap to Desi Beats throughout my career. I began my journey as a Mixtape DJ, selling Mix CDs on the streets to market stalls to get my name out which ended up having artists such as Giggs, Tinie Tempah, N Dubs, Lowkey (to name a few) featuring on my projects and eventually giving a platform on BBC Radio. I believe we did over 6 figures in CD numbers which was massive exposure for me on an underground level. This was before the full impact of online and digital music. I’ve been known to champion many UK artists early on their careers as a tastemaker of the art. I’ve been blessed to have radio shows on BBC Asian Network, BBC 1Xtra and BBC Radio with the Asian Beats show in 2017.
FP: You’ve worked hard to shed light on some incredible talent through “Hype on the Mic” and “Fresh Wave” sessions, no doubt you’ve had some rewarding moments from it. How did you get your first break working in music and radio?
DJ Limelight: Through my work in the mixtape era from 2004 to 2014 I teamed up with Ruthless Records, which was a record shop in East London. With them we managed to create a hub for many UK rappers and grime artists to sell their music in CD format which played a huge part in the foundation of UK Street music and culture.
BBC Asian Network knocked on my door and gave me a Saturday night party show, focusing on hip hop music from the UK, USA and everywhere in between. My strategy with this show was to focus on new talent which resulted in seeing artists like Jay Sean perform a session for me in 2008 which then saw him sign to Cash Money Records. These sessions and radio support for such artists opened doors but also gained me respect from the scene. One of my favourite sessions was when Giggs called me up to do a freestyle – it was 8 minutes of hard sh*t on national radio. That meant a lot. Also, I must mention Young Adz (D Block Europe) and Headie One spitting on my show with OFB.
FP: Asian music has been sampled throughout hip hop, grime and drill, which are some of your favourite tracks to do this and why do you think producers love sampling Asian vibes?
DJ Limelight: There’s been some huge records over the years which have sampled South Asian music including some very huge Bollywood anthems. To choose some of my favourites would be:
Eric Sermon – React
Missy Elliot – Get Ur Freak On
Foxy Brown – Hood Scriptures
Jay-Z – The Bounce
CJ – Whoopty (most recently)
I must mention that one of the most exciting things in the UK right now is the drill scene. For me it’s more about the production levels, quality and creativity. I hear the odd production with heavy South Asian sampling which I believe also brings the world closer through music.
FP: On your shows you play a hugely eclectic range of music. What kind of music do you listen to in your own time and what does it take to get DJ Limelight to listen to your sound?
DJ Limelight: In 2023 I would say afrobeats has taken over many spaces with the organic sounds, lingo and vibes. For me, it’s an exciting time for African music along with what’s happening out in India. Hip hop always has a special place in my heart and in my music collection. Dancehall will always have a big influence on me and is a genre you’d hear in my car daily. I listen to a lot of feel good music and one of my all-time favourite artists to date has to be the legend Vybz Kartel.
I’m also very passionate about new rap talent in the UK and abroad, so I like hearing new talent who bring something different to the table. Hearing a freestyle by Central Cee in 2020, on his Instagram was an example of new talent that has emerged through UK drill with his unique sound and style. I’d say originality, hard beats and an organic sound is essential to me.
FP: You also still enjoy DJ’ing at events such as weddings. What is it about this scene that keeps you excited enough to do them and how does your approach differ to playing for crowds in a stadium?
DJ Limelight: I’m very blessed to be able to play to such a variety of audiences through such a variety of event types. I’m one of the rare UK DJ’s who can perform at a hip hop club night, to a shisha lounge to a Desi wedding all in the same week and give the audience what they want, without losing my essence. It may sound simple and possibly cheesy, but just being able to crowd control and see people having a good time to the music and show I give – that is something that can never get boring for me. A lot of my work comes from the heart, so it always feels personal and special to me.
FP: Now your fashion sense is as big as your personality, how would you describe your styling as well as your taste in footwear? We know you love your Jordans, what is it about these shoes that made you feel to collect them?
DJ Limelight: My fashion sense is again, something very personal and special to me. I thrive off colours and unique designs. I tend to stay away from common trends as I’m a strong believer that if you make an effort with your appearance, you’ll stand out which can also create opportunities. First impressions always count.
Growing up I always had love at home, but I couldn’t afford a pair of Nikes until I was 18. And I always wanted Jordans. I grew up on hip hop and Jordans was and still is a big part of the culture. Now times are good for me, I also like collecting things, so sneakers are something I really enjoy collecting. I love the feeling of opening a shoe box for the first time and admiring the craftsmanship of a brand-new shoe.
Jordans for me have a story and is from an icon, Michael Jordan. Jordan 4’s are my all-time favourites with 3’s coming in second on my list. The retro selection is iconic and have some elite colour ways. I don’t think my collection will ever end and I can’t wait for the next release.
‘For the chasers, the racers and the elevated pacers’… That’s one of the many ways in which Nike are describing their latest ground breaking runner.
Over the last few years, the NEXT% family of runners has become some of the most eye-catching, advanced and controversial that the running world has seen. What was started as an effort to break the 2 hour marathon barrier, the Vaporfly 3 is a continuation of Nike to deliver a PB breaking shoe. From the elite where every second matters, to the everyday person who is looking for that extra umph, thanks to the new technology implemented within the 3, anything is possible.
Much like those before it and the even more extreme Alphafly 2, the Vaporfly continues the current trend of Carbon plated runners. Slotted half way within the ZoomX midsole, this latest runner seeks to offer the best in both comfort and propulsion.
In the thrill of the pursuit, we caught up with Footpatrol Run Club’s very own Jake Archer and London based runner Lydia Oldman to see just what this latest iteration is all about.
Make sure to check out our Nike Running offering online at Footpatrol here…
Last week, some of the team headed over to the Italian city of Milan for a special event with the Nike skunk works team, ISPA. Dubbed ‘ISPAnificio’, the exhibit was an exploration of circularity and connectivity from the Nike team who’s philosophy is to never be blocked by a problem.
IMPROVISE to see if it can be improved, SCAVENGE to find the best processes and materials by seeking innovation, the solution must PROTECT against the problem; and ADAPT all solutions to fit their broadest potential.
With a new range of ISPA products now hitting the shelves, ISPAnigicio offers an insight into these design processes and allows users to explore and experiment techniques to build ideas that will question some of our basic assumptions about the footwear we wear everyday.
Take a closer look below and make sure to check out the latest from ISPA online here and in-store.
Showing no signs of slowing, Mizuno are back with their latest Kizuna launch. Dubbed the ‘Future Gardens’ pack, this set features a familiar trio of silhouettes including the Wave Rider 10, Wave Mujin TL and finally, the futuristic Wave Prophecy LS.
With its title giving the game away, this pack is a homage to human beings and nature and the peaceful connection between the two. A subtle base of warm off-white tones are met with a punchy purple accent that celebrates the Ayame Iris Flower. Blooming across rural Japan this time of the year, the flower is feature across the trio, from the toe to the top of each pairs tongue.
To celebrate this launch, we worked with Brazilian based artist Arthur Ortega, someone you may be familiar with from the launch of Hart Copy’s first book. Painting traditional Japanese scenes, we tasked Arthur with creating futuristic worlds that celebrate Mizuno’s heritage, the Ayame Iris flower and of course, the Future Gardens pack.
Your collaborative journey with Footpatrol and Nike starts here! Putting the creativity into the hands of you – our community, this season we introduce yet another bespoke offering to our Launches App, a chance to Create-Your-Own shoe box! This all-new venture allows you to get your artistic juices flowing, with the opportunity to have your one-of-a-kind Nike custom box design come to life.
The instructions are pretty simple, to create your own box you must be entered into one of our draws in the Launches App. Once you have submitted your entry you will be given access to the Create-Your-Own platform and from here, it’s time to get creative!
Select your box style of choice (Nike or Jordan), colour, match, and contrast with your lid pattern and choose from a selection of side designs for your wooden box. Once you have perfected your design, review it and submit it to our gallery. You can vote for your favourite box designs featured in our gallery, and the custom box with the most votes will be our winner. Alongside the shoe box creation, our lucky winner will also receive bespoke shoe tags, receipt, box tissue, and a dust bag featuring Footpatrol branding.
To take part in this exciting opportunity, head over to our Launches App!
