Originally from Miami, Florida, Michael currently resides in Brooklyn, NY, and works as a Senior Art Director and Graphic Designer. He also writes about sneakers and fashion as a contributor to Esquire magazine.
How long have you been collecting sneakers?
Over two decades.
How many pairs do you currently have in your closet?
About 75, more or less.
How long have you been a member?
2 years.
What is the oldest sneaker in your collection?
I have a pair of Air Jordan 2 Low “Chicago” from 2016, but I also have some really old pairs back in Miami that are from 2007.
What’s the sneaker that got you hooked?
I’d have to say, growing up in Miami, Air Jordans and Air Maxs were the starting point for me. I remember a few of my friends working specifically at Footlocker and Champs just to get a pair of Air Jordans at a discount.
What’s your best steal or retail cop?
I’d have to go with the Tom Sachs Mars Yard 2.0. A good friend gave me his invitation to Space Camp on Governor’s Island in NYC. I pretended to be him to get in, copped a pair for retail, and managed to get another pair at 21Mercer, which I hooked up my other homie for retail.
What’s “the one that got away” for you?
It will always and forever be the original Acronym x Nike Air Presto in Volt. I told a group of friends that it would be the sneaker of the year weeks before the release online, and we started a group chat about it. It was an early morning release in Japan, and I forgot to set my alarm. Literally, everyone from the group chat got a pair, and some got multiple. When I woke up, my phone was riddled with messages from them… they were sold out, and I ate the L.
What are five sneakers every person should have?
A pair of running shoes, try the Nike Peg 39. A pair of Converse Chuck Taylor’s to dress up or down. A pair of New Balance, any of the 990 series, it’s really about comfort. A pair of Reeboks Club Cs are essential, they are just a no-brainer, especially for the summer. And for the winter, I lean into a pair of Nike ACGs. I’ve been on the hunt for a pair of Nike Lava Domes, maybe the Nike team will see this and retro them.
What’s a sneaker in your collection that always gets looks/compliments when you wear them?
My CDG x Nike Air Max 180s.
What’s the most you’ve done for a pair of shoes?
Camping… you just had to be there. It was a time before apps and raffles.
Best sneaker trade?
It was a swap for the Nike x Off-White Blazer Halloween Pack. I traded the Tan pair for the Black pair.
What pairs are you currently watching / what will be your next pick-up?
I’d have to say the ‘Lost and Found’ Air Jordan 1, they’re the closest thing to a pair of 1985s I’m going to get a hold of.
How do you think the sneaker game has changed since you started collecting?
The internet and social media have made sneaker culture less niche for sure. It’s harder to tell if people who collect now actually care about the history of a silhouette, the design, or the designers behind it.
What is your biggest frustration with sneakers as a whole right now?
The pump and dump of colorways and materials on certain silhouettes.
Brand rapid-fire – What are your favorite Nike, adidas, Jordan, and New Balance models?
Nike – Blazers
Adidas – Samba, I like what Wales Bonner is doing with them.
Jordan – Air Jordan 1
New Balance – Any 990, and I’m very interested in the 990v6
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