(10/11) By this point, you already know — I showed up early.
@instyleshoes1999 was solo at the bar with a cold one, so I pulled up. He asked if I was stoked to meet the designers — Christian Tresser, Drake, the others. I said “No.”
He looked at me sideways, so I clarified:
“Of course it was cool. But I never knew who designed what growing up. I had zero exposure — the nearest sneaker store was 30+ miles away. I’d just see these little black and red blurs on MJ’s feet on a 9-inch TV. I didn’t know any of this stuff. So my thrifting and searching…I always felt like it was my job to make whatever I had feel cool to me.”
Tom nodded. “That sounds like you.”
Not the best way to guarantee a return invite, but I meant it. I still can’t believe something like a mini-swoosh will make or break a shoe for me — what do I know about sneaker design?
We shared a few more stories and moved into the big room. I talked music with @terrancekeller , talked travel with @shoehefner5 , talked life with @dj_sneakerhead , and talked nicknames with @afrikan_caesar .
This was all in preparation for the send-off event: a talk by @shoeitecture . I didn’t really know what to expect — but the man lit up the room. He was all smiles and his candor was legendary. He’s worked with MJ, Agassi, Serena… but what stuck with me was how normal he was. No ego. Just grace, joy, and happy to find a bunch of us nerds into his designs.
When he finished, it was like the last day of school — handshakes, hugs, sneaker wheels, pics for the ‘gram, and that feeling like we had all been through something impactful. Not just sneaker talk — but stories, anxieties, ideas, reflections… all of it.
The official programming ended — but I walked away inspired as all hell. There’s something kinda crazy about putting 10, 20, 70 people in a room (that have something in common) and just watching it all unfold naturally…I don’t know if there’s a better feeling on earth.