In Their Shoes; Shane & Shawn x KangaROOS

Let's take a moment to hop back in time.  It's the late 70s (1979 to be precise) and a brand known as KangaROO's has started making big strides with classic kicks with a secret, a pouch to hold your secret stash.  

The shoes developed a cult following (I even had a pair in the UK in about 86 that I loved.  I should point out that I was only aged 10 at that time so I wasn't really stashing much).

The brand have popped up every now and again with a collab or two over the years, some of which have been fantastic (the Overkill drop was particularly nice), but now, helmed by fashionistas Shane x Shawn, the brand are regrouping and make a big leap with their new 'Revival' range.

In the latest of my exclusive 'On Their Shoes' interview series Shane from Shane x Shawn was kind enough to talk about the brand, the future, and doubling your stash! 

IDYSM: Hey Shawn, how are you, where are you, and what’s going on?

Shawn: I am actually on the plane from LA to NYC. Just finished a mini-holiday over the past 4 days after a great tradeshow showcasing our KangaROOSxShane+Shawn Spring 2014 collection in Las Vegas.

IDYSM: So, who are Shane & Shawn, are you sneakerheads, and how did you came to be involved with the sneaker brand Roos?

Shawn: Shane and I do not consider ourselves sneakerheads. We are true/blue entrepreneurs in the fashion business. Our background is in fashion footwear via our brand SHANE+SHAWN, but we’ve designed for companies such as Fila, Converse, adidas, Royal Elastics, Fubu, Nautica, etc via our freelance design company. We began talks with KangaROOS back in 2011, and we decided that when the brand was re-launched in the USA, we wanted to be a part of it. It has been a great collaboration and a great business relationship.

IDYSM: The KangaROOS brand seems to have been in hibernation for some time, occasionally popping it’s head up to resurface with select collab drops from the likes of Patta and Overkill, so does the ‘Revival’ range suggest a re-awakening?   

Shawn: Yes! Our collaboration is not a one-off..or just limited to a specific retailer.  We just delivered our 2^nd collection at UrbanOutfitters.com, Finish Line, Zappos and some key sneaker shops throughout the USA. We are already working on Spring ’14.

IDYSM: So what’s the plan, how can Roo’s get a jump back into the sneaker game?

(Apologies for the pun).

Shawn: We are doing this by being true to the ROOS heritage. For starters, every shoe HAS to have a pocket. That is what makes us different than any other shoe brand out there. Secondly, the brand was founded as a running shoe by Bob Gamm, so we are putting running shoe elements into every single shoe...from the retro running bottom to the performance materials, even though they are fashion sneakers. Another initiative we have going on is that we have teamed with a great group of emerging DJs around the world to attach the brand to the music leaders around the world. We just launched this in late August, and the buzz has been incredible. It helped us sell out most pairs launched at Urban Outfitters within a week.

IDYSM: I remember when I was a kid the 2 things that got me excited about Roos were the brand’s clean styling and that signature pocket on each shoe – are these elements still relevant today?

Shawn: Shane and I would never make a ROOSxS+S shoe without a pocket. As a matter of fact, most of our new shoes have two pockets. Its all about the private stash. We have also simplified our designs from our 1^st season to the next. I think you’ll love all of the shoes we are putting out.

IDYSM: It looks like you’re planning a double headed attack, with vintage signature styles dropping in the Revival range, with more fashion forward models being released alongside them, what’s the idea behind this?

Shawn: Even though we are staying true to the heritage, the market continues to change as far as what is on trent and what the sneaker head kid is buying. We are always looking to achieve having a great balance of vintage mixed with current trends….such as camo…it still is going strong, so you’ll see it in the collection.

IDYSM: The sneaker game has changed a lot since the Roos heydays of the 80’s.  Where is the landscape for shoes at right now, and is it better or worse than it was back in the day?

Shawn: I think it is better. The sneaker culture used to be very niche..where now, you can’t look through any fashion magazine or runway show without seeing some sort of sneaker influence...just look at the sneaker wedge..luxury brands are selling them at $1k +. It is appropriate to wear suits with sneakers now..Many of the boundaries that existed in the 80’s no longer exist so there is a bigger market for brands like ours.

IDYSM: What influences you?, and how do you plan to bring these influences into Roos?

Shawn: We are influenced by everything. There is nothing we do that we cannot find something that will inspire us in some way. We travel a lot and read a lot, so we are always downloading images into our brains and taking notes to help shape our designs and brand aesthetic and marketing.

IDYSM: What does the future hold for you and Roos?

Shawn: We are looking to grow more with Urban Outfitters and more key sneaker shops. We are also starting to gain interest overseas, as it looks like we’ll be launching in the Phillipines soon. Eventually, we’d like to launch more accessories and apparel, but now we are focusing on making ROOS a strong player in the lifestyle sneaker market for years to come.

IDYSM: I always like to end my interviews with this question…what’s on your feet right now?

Shawn: Easy. Black & white KangaROOSxShane+Shawn REVIVAL. :-D

In Their Shoes; Taylor @ Beats Rhymes Hype

It's interesting how a blog can help you to meet fascinating people in different ways.  Taylor is based in Atlanta in the US and runs a music site that also has a keen eye on urban style.
He heard about my video covering the 2012 Sydney Swap Meet, and ran it on the site, from there we got talking and the rest as they say is history.
His story is an interesting one and he was happy to talk about the influence of 'A Tribe Called Quest', the widespread influence of sneaker culture, and where he thinks it's happening most. 

IDYSM: Hey Taylor, thanks for taking the time to talk to IDYSM.  Beats Rhymes Hype may sound like a project just focused on music, but is it?  Give us the lowdown on what it’s all about.

Taylor: Thank you.  Initially I created Beats Rhymes & Hype to promote my music and other underground artist musics. I know personally how hard it is for independent artist to gain exposure. But then it hit me, I could promote independent people like clothing designers/brands, photographers, and entrepreneurs looking for that same exposure.  

We’re a small site based out of Atlanta, Georgia but I like to think of us as being a global brand since we’re on the internet. Beats Rhymes & Hype originally began as Aristocracy magazine.com back in 2010. Frustrated with how the site was going I decided to walk away from that project. After taking a few months away from the blog sphere I launched www.BeatsRhymesHype.com in January of this year.  Our name is inspired by the album Beats Rhymes & Life from the 1990’s hip hop trio “A Tribe Called Quest”.

IDYSM: What makes Beats Rhymes Hype different to other culture sites?

Taylor: We try our hardest to be different from other culture sites by actually searching for people doing things that we find attractive and not just duplicating posts from major culture sites. We invest a lot of time into browsing the web and the content we select.

IDYSM: As a studier of modern culture, what role/influence do you see sneakers having?

Taylor: I didn’t realize until recently how wide spread sneaker culture is. It’s miraculous how it connects so many different nationalities and people from different facets of life. I really enjoy the fusion of so many cultures.

IDYSM:  Is this a poignant time for sneaker culture, and are sneakers as important and influential now as they have been in previous times?

Taylor: I feel sneaker culture has always been an expression of self. Initially significant to urban culture, but its adoption into other cultures has been amazing. I believe that sneakers are more influential now then they have been at previous times. There’s a nostalgia that sounds shoes releases, and there are more sneaker heads now then ten years ago.

IDYSM: Please describe the sneaker scene where you’re based.

Taylor: The sneaker scene in Atlanta is remarkable. It’s such a diverse city that there’s no telling what you may find on the feet of its residents. Sneaker culture is very popular here.

IDYSM: What’s your own relationship with sneakers – do you collect, how much of a sneaker head are you?

Taylor:  I would say I have a healthy relationship with sneakers. The majority of my sneakers are Jordan’s, but I wouldn’t consider myself much of a sneaker head. I buy what I like and not what’s been hyped, lol.

IDYSM: What’s the hottest sneaker location in the world for you and why?

The hottest sneaker location in the world to me would have to be Atlanta, because it’s sneaker culture is diverse.

IDYSM: Where is the sneaker game at right now and what does 2013 have in store?

Taylor: The sneaker game right now is ok, I mean you get a lot of choices to choose from, but companies don’t give consumers enough time between releases. Companies have lowered the quality of their shoes but have raised prices.  I expect some really dope kicks to drop.

IDYSM:  I always like to end my interviews with this question… what’s on your feet right now? The Air Jordan Grey Cement 3’s

In Their Shoes; Farouq Samnani

Part of my motivation for starting I Dig Your Sole Man was to try and treat sneakers as cherished items and modern day art pieces in their own right.  I'm always interested to meet and chat with other people who try to seek art within this fascinating sub-culture too, so was delighted when  Vancouver based artist Farouq Samnani gave up some time to talk about his fascinating background, incredible artwork and his passion for the past, present and future of the sneaker game.

IDYSM: Hey Farouq, thanks for your time.  First up, please tell us a bit about yourself.

Farouq: My pleasure! and excited to be a part of this. I’m an art director, visual designer and illustrator currently based in a unique neighbourhood of Vancouver called Gastown. My parents are originally from East Africa, they fled Uganda during Idi Amin’s coup of 1971 and made their way to Kenya, where I was born. Soon After, my family left Africa for the U.K. then eventually settled in Canada, which has been our home now for 30 years. I’m very fortunate that I get to do what I do, I never take it for granted and I’m grateful for this opportunity to share my work with you.

IDYSM: So you’re very much an observer of street style, what’s your involvement with the sneaker world?

Farouq: Yes, I’m definitely an observer. However, I believe my affinity for street style and aesthetic goes beyond just that, it has become a part of who I am. It influences what I create in my work, my personal style and tastes, the music I listen to, and even the neighbourhood I’ve chosen to live in. For me, street culture is a lifestyle and has given rise to some of the most popular trends in fashion, music and art the world has ever seen. There’s such an authentic and unique characteristic of street inspired fashion and in particular, the sneakers, which I’m a big fan of. I’ve been intrigued by sneaker collaborations that have become tremendously popular over the past decade, especially the Jeremy Scott and Adidas tribute to one of my favourite artists, Keith Haring. This is something I’d love to do in the future and I hope that the “Back In The Days” project (see here) will be the jump-off to this.

IDYSM: Yes, as a fan of street culture and street photography 'Back in the Days' to me is an iconic project that documents an amazing period of New York life back in the day, now some 30 years later you've been inspired by the book to make some sneaker art of your own - tell us about it.

Farouq: The idea came to me one day as I was flipping through the photo-book, “Back In The Days” by legendary photographer Jamel Shabazz, and listening to LL Cool J’s track “ I Need A Beat” from his debut album “Radio”. It was a moment of nostalgia and it reminded me of how I felt when I first saw the 1984 film “Breakin”. It was my first impression of hip hop culture as a little kid. I was fascinated with Jamel Shabazz’s photo of the sneaker display and I immediately prepped my drawing table and began to illustrate one sneaker at a time.

During this process, I started incorporating different elements from the book, included some pioneers of hip hop music in graffiti style, and soon enough, the final artwork became a tribute piece to hip hop and sneaker culture.  I was compelled to share what I’d created and more importantly, I wanted to tell a story. My technical background enabled me to develop a platform and produce a multimedia experience to present this artwork. I acquired the help of a friend and talented director, Theo Kim, and reached out to New York beatsmith, Falside, to collaborate on the video component of the project. Finally, I got the stamp of approval from the legend himself (Jamel) and “Back In The Days” project was born.

IDYSM: How important was both this era, and photography legend Jamel Shabazz’s work in documenting it?

Farouq: This was an epic time, an urban renaissance so to speak. 80’s Brooklyn was synonymous for street style, nothing like it had ever been seen before and now you see it everywhere. On the catwalks of Paris, the various hip hop collaborations, to the most prestigious galleries showcasing the work of street artists. There’s not one aspect of popular culture that hip hop hasn’t permeated. Jamel Shabazz’s photography of this era was invaluable in not only documenting the history, but he also helped the hip hop movement become a global community.

IDYSM: While most sneaker lovers would appreciate that this defining New York era was pivotal in the scene’s history, do you have a respect and appreciation for this era more than any others?

Farouq: The endorsement deal between Run D.M.C. and Adidas, soon after they released their ’86 single “My Adidas”, was the first of its kind between hip hop artists and a major corporation. This was an extremely pivotal moment that made popular and really paved the way for today’s sneaker culture. I believe it’s always important to respect the past in order to grow and move forward into the future and as long as the brands, the artists, the designers, and the consumers honour this, the product will always be dope and innovative.

IDYSM: And where will the current era sit for you in eons of sneaker history?

Farouq: I’m still soaking it all in. At times I can barely keep up with all the new styles, the one off releases, the different collaborations and the blogs. It’s an exciting time and the growth of the industry has been exponential. This era, for me, will be defined by the artist collaborations that have given the sneakers a collectable appeal for the consumers. Last year’s collaboration between Jeff Staple and S.L.A.T.E. for the PROJECT/Reed installation in Las Vegas was a great tribute to how far the sneaker and street wear culture has come.

IDYSM: We’ve spoken about your passion for shoes as an artist, how does it also affect you as a consumer?

Farouq: As an artist, I’m very particular about what I produce and it’s no different for me as a consumer. I appreciate a lot of styles but I’m loyal to a few brands and I generally stick with a few looks.  I definitely don’t have a closet full of kicks, my collection is modest.

IDYSM: Where do you own tastes fit in with your passion for the past – what type of styles do you rock?

Farouq: My style is subtle, never been too loud. I’ll usually bounce from Common Projects Winter Black and White, to the Adidas Campus All-White or rock the classic chucks. I’ll even throw in the occasional Adidas x Ransom Valley Hi Tan Cardinal for the summer.

IDYSM: What does the future hold for your work?

Farouq: This platform has allowed me to convey to a greater audience how serious and passionate I am about my craft. The far reaches of this project is something I didn’t expect and I’m very proud of. I’m blessed. At the end of the day, I’m inspired by everything I see happening in the industry, the new brands, the product, the designs, the artists, the culture is rumbling. From inception, this entire process has been incredible, from the musical contribution by Falside for the video, to Jamel Shabazz’s endorsement of the project, which ultimately linked the two of us together. This is an organic aspect in a new era of collaboration that I genuinely love. I’m excited about the future and I look forward to creating dynamic and innovative work with interesting and talented people from around the world.

IDYSM: And, I always like to end my interviews with this question…what’s on your feet right now?

Farouq: Chucks homie.

* A huge thanks to Farouq for taking part in the interview, the images above come courtesy of him.

In Their Shoes: Angel aka. Vagrant Sneaker

From London straight over to the US - as IDYSM's global start to the year gathers more momentum!

I get to meet some amazing people on the street through 'I Dig Your Sole Man', and as the site's name and reputation is developing an ever-growing international following I've also been lucky to make contact with some fascinating people in far flung places relating to the sneaker game and contemporary fashion scene.

In this new series entitled In Their Shoes I'll be interviewing people whose work in the sneaker/fashion game inspires and interests me, and has a unique story to tell, and I'm very proud to introduce Angel as the first in the series.  

Angel and I seem to have a lot in common as a few years ago we both started passion projects that offer unique content relating to the sneaker game, and also fuse a love of photography with a love of kicks.  Angel is on the frontline of shooting product, and uses his incredible skills to showcase kicks as works of art in each and every shot.  He's a super talented guy, and has worked hard to get his skills out there, and aside from being a great shooter he's also a great interviewee so please read on to see more about his work, his world and a whole lot more.

IDYSM: Hey Angel, thanks for taking the time to talk to IDYSM.  So, first up, tell us about your work.

Angel: I run a popular blog that started in 2009 based out of New Jersey called www.vagrantsneaker.com that focuses on certain trainer models.
It allows me to have a voice that I can share with others, and it’s not just another blog that copies and pastes either, it has original content by way of photographs and writing in a manner thats not just off PR releases.  The writing is very honest and to the point with as much detail as I can give to help the reader best understand the product.
There’s also www.angelsviewfinder.com which was supposed to host my portfolio and other things related to my photography, but I have since put it on hold because the format that it’s in now is not what I want. So, I look to take other avenues this year and see what I can find that will be suitable to present my photos in a professional portfolio.

IDYSM: I’m guessing we have a shared motivation of fusing a love of sneakers with a love of photography.  How and when did it all begin for you?

Angel: Back in 2007 a friend of mine who collects sneakers was showing me his collection and what sites and stores he used to go to make purchases.  Looking at his collection I saw some interesting color-ways and materials that sparked my interest.  After that, I went in full swing and did my research about the current state of sneaker collecting and wearing. Through that, I came across a wdywt thread at Crooked Tongues. There, I saw some really nice trainers people were wearing and it also had some interesting photographs by certain people that inspired me in doing the same. I started with an iPhone 3G, than two Panasonic point and shoots and finally my current DSLR, the Nikon D3100 with 5 different lens.

IDYSM: I’ve admired your beautiful sneaker shots for some time and I’ve always wanted to know, is your goal to make each shot showcase sneakers as art pieces?

Angel: Thank you for the kind words Lester. Yes, that is the goal and always has been. As with any art piece in a museum, I also value the quality and workmanship that goes into building a shoe/sneaker. Being passionate about them as I am, I want to present them in their full glory. Something people will look at and talk about as if they are looking at a painting. So when similar collectors around the world view my photos, they get one of the best interpretations of what we appreciate and love. In the same token, It’s probably the best way to honor the worker/s that put so much energy into providing us with good products for our feet.

IDYSM: I’m guessing you’ve admired kicks and their cultural influence for some time, how did this love affair with kicks begin for you?

Angel: Not everyone will see a sneaker like I do. So by providing them with an unseen perceptive, it sparks an emotion and appreciation that wasn’t there before. Someone that may have seen a photo of a shoe in a magazine or website, will have a different outlook with my photos. That’s when I knew I had something I could build on. Now I think the influence and power my photos carry, have made an impact in current sneaker photography. Yes, there were others doing it before me but no one stuck to it and tried to do something with it as passionately as I have.

IDYSM: Has your work allowed you to develop a pretty sweet collection, and does your shooting mirror your own tastes?

Angel: It has and at the same time, it’s a curse. Because I appreciate all brands, I tend to like a lot of stuff they put out. It’s so hard to try and not buy something that is striking to me, but I’ve learned to control it nowadays. So I try to stick to limited/exclusive shoes and buy some general releases that I think are worth it in my opinion. For instance, New Balance’s “Made In USA and Made In England” lines are amazing. Those are prime examples of perfect general releases worth spending your hard earned money on. There are others too, but those are my favorite.

IDYSM: Tell us about where you’re based and what’s happening in the scene there at the moment.

Angel: The tides are changing now out here. A city and country dominated by basketball shoes has now seen a huge shift to classic runners. Brands like New Balance, adidas, ASICS and Nike are making huge waves out here with their lifestyle line of trainers. This is something you wouldn’t have seen years ago. I remember back in the 90’s when my friends were saying I was wearing ‘old man’ shoes because I had NB 574’s on or when they were making fun of my ROOS. Now, runners are everywhere. It ‘s like crack.

IDYSM: What’s your favourite shot in your portfolio and why?

Angel: Man, you have me on a spot here.  There is one that I always keep going back too. One that is now important to me. The New Balance M1300CL “Steel Blue” photograph you see tells a journey of my comings. It expresses the story of my love for New Balance back when I was in high school, my first official photography job of shooting shoes for Ronnie Fieg and KITH (not the shoe in the photo), the beauty of shooting outdoors and what I have coming for 2013.    

IDYSM: If you could shoot any era/person/event/shoe – what would it be and why?

Angel: For me, it would have been the 80’s.  I so wish my interest in photography spanned more then 4 years. There were so many cool things happening back then, that influence today. Especially in the sneaker culture and fashion arenas. The punk scene though would have been my thing as a photographer. The amount of story telling happening back then was fantastic. There’s nothing more interesting to me then that in the 80’s. The music scene in general was something special.

IDYSM: What does 2013 hold for you?

Angel: This year I’ll be celebrating 4 years of vagrantsneaker.com so it’s time for a shift in the way I cover and write about sneaker releases. You’ll also see some new ideas from me as a photographer when I create photos for shoes and products. Things like different indoor stages and creative lighting. It’s time to give my followers something new and exciting to see. I’m just happy they keep coming back to read and see what I have to offer at my blog. Also, I’ll be shooting a Fall '13 campaign for New Balance and they just featured me in their “Excellent Makers” video series. The video is done and approved. I just don’t know when they will be releasing it.

IDYSM: I have to ask, what’s on your feet right now?

Angel: I had a feeling this was coming. Actually, When I’m at my workstation, I’m never wearing anything #onmyfeet. Not even socks. There has to be a time in the day where you have to enjoy your bare feet and appreciate that you have both working properly so you could wear what footwear you love.

As I exit this interview, I wanted to thank you for following my work and having an interest in what I do. It amazes me every time when I find out who’s paying attention to what I’m doing. Especially when it’s from another country. I’m also very fond of what you’re doing here. It’s a more honest approach to what people are wearing around the world and doesn’t require it to be so called “high fashion” to look good. It becomes more apparent to others, and me when you can see a direct approach to ordinary people as they wear their daily outfits. So what you are doing is more important to see than another blog only worrying about what Kanye West  or other celebrities are wearing. Not everyone can afford their cloths, so why try to perceive an image not reachable by everyone? Cheers! ...and Keep the Shoes On Your Feet!

** All images in this post come courtesy of Angel @ www.vagrantsneaker.com/www.angelsviewfinder.com

Gourmet - Dignan

As you may know I've been watching the LA brand Gourmet with interest for some time and my most recent viewing of the brand (see here) when I bumped into Vinnie from Acclaim left something of a lasting impression on me.
He was wearing the 'Dignan' shoe, a style that represents a lot of what Gourmet is about; fusing recognisable sneaker design with a bold twist of untraditional styling.
As something of a concept shoe, the design is inspired by Mark Wahlberg's character from the Scorcese movie 'The Departed'.  At the end of the movie he is seen wearing ER shoe covers over his shoes and voila, the idea for the 'Dignan' was born.
As you can see from the above shots of the shoe in it's new polka dot design, it combines a running shoe aesthetic with a nylon zip up cover, and sure, they're not to everyone's taste (just check out Dignan's on the forums, this shoe generates really mixed views) but I love the fact that Gourmet are going for it and not just playing safe.
The shoes are popping up more and more on the streets so check them out, if you're looking for something different they could be for you!

Daryl; Sydney

Skating culture has a huge influence in the sneaker scene in Sydney, and indeed around the world.
Daryl (above) is originally from the US, and picked up these Nike SB Stefan Janoski's in Sacramento when working in a skate shop.  
Although he feels that Australia has a very different scene to the US, his shoes finish off a look that translates well to Sydney, edgy yet laid back and simple, and of course, finished off with some nice kicks!

DJ Neil Armstrong; Carbon Festival

One of the key messages from the Carbon Festival was that passion is one of the most highly sought catalyst's for turning an idea into a success story.  

DJ Neil Armstrong is a walking, talking and spinning example of just how successful this theory can be, as he has gone from out and out music fan to become one of the world's leading DJ's.

The combination of growing up in NY amidst the golden era of hip hop, combined with Neil's passion for an eclectic array of music has seen him evolve to be at the forefront of the music scene.

Fusing the roots of hip hop with his own varied tastes he has been able to establish a credible and unique voice by bringing some fantastic musical marriages together on his infamous mixtapes, and once his voice had been heard and established it was only a matter of time before an appreciation was developed.

I could sit and write more about Neil's background, his role as Jay-Z's DJ, and becoming a global adidas ambassador, but I will leave Neil to talk about that in his own words in a video interview where you can hear from the great man himself in the coming weeks.

For now I will simply say he's a top bloke, and I love his adidas aidrise 2's!

Smaelle Smiles; London

Smaelle is from Paris and has always dreamt of visiting New York but has never been able to get there.
However, a friend of hers recently visited the Big Apple and thought it would be nice to pick up something for Smaelle to make her think of her dream city and in these gold Reebok Freestyle Hi's found the perfect memento.
Smaelle is something of a sneaker purist and while she only wears adidas for the number of sports she takes part in, she only wears Reeboks out casually due to their comfort and colour.
She loves gold shoes and these bright, eye-catching shoes seemed to cum up her equally bright and bubbly personality perfectly.