Chris Dixon is helping shape footwear culture as it’s being formed in real-time. As a designer for Timberland, he’s consistently leaving his mark within footwear design, having his hands on some of the brand’s most iconic silhouettes. But Dixon makes sure to also pay it forward with his CNSTNT DVLPMNT Program, bringing education and workshops to younger generations on footwear design and production. It’s a full-circle moment for him as someone who started off sketching and designing sneakers as kid in his spare time.
We connected with Chris Dixon and learned more on his experiences with sneakers in the late 90s, his journey with footwear design, and the innovative and fresh style that Black culture brings to the table.
StockX: How did you get into sneakers/streetwear? Was there someone in particular or a specific moment that introduced you to this culture?
Chris Dixon: I got into sneakers being a hooper and big basketball fan growing up in the 90s in Fayetteville, N.C. I balled with my brother and he was a crazy UNC Jordan fanatic. His choice of AJs influenced me heavily. The Eastbay catalog was a gift to sneakerheads in middle school. Seeing signatures come out for the first time was a dope time. When the Foamposite and Flightposite came out, my perspective of shoes changed. The question went from “what is that?” to “who drew that?”.
Growing up in this era was special because everything that came out was the first time we ever saw these signature athletes’ sneakers or new technology in sneakers. Again, the Eastbay catalog was a game changer for me because I wanted everything on each page! Not getting the shoes I wanted made me start sketching my own designs. That formed a habit of sketching shoes and enjoying sneaker design.
SX: How long have you been collecting sneakers?
CD: I have been collecting sneakers since 2000. I played sports so I needed them to hoop in but seeing my close friends having a nice sneaker rotation during the week made me want them more. In my teens, I would hustle washing cars with my dad on the weekends for sneaker money. In 2013 my 250-pair collection was burglarized and I had to start from scratch. After that, my mind changed to quality over quantity.
SX: What about sneakers/streetwear culture resonates with you?
CD: What I love about sneaker culture is the never-ending story of dope products and conversation. I love being a part of the design side of the culture being able to see thoughts become things and work in the future. To see a sketch first and then see it’s being worn on the streets. That never gets old.
SX: Which sneaker or piece of streetwear do you connect with the most and why?
CD: Right now it is the Timberland 6-Inch boot. It’s a streetwear piece that has been adopted by NYC hip-hop culture and made the “Buttas” an icon.
I’ve learned so much about its history, so seeing what it means to so many people makes me proud to be a part of celebrating the 6-Inch’s 50th anniversary.
SX: What was sneaker/streetwear culture like when you were first getting into it? Was it popular amongst the general mainstream public or was it still considered a niche hobby?
CD: When I first started collecting sneakers it was all about the hunt. I would see the same group of people camping out and going to different cities for certain drops. Certain things happen in real time that we were a part of that got sneakers their nickname. Like for example: the Flu Game. That made having that shoe special because it was something we felt we witnessed in real time. That happened a lot!!! It made every pair that you copped extra special, almost like a time capsule.
SX: What is your view of Black culture’s contributions to sneaker/streetwear? How do you feel as though you’ve contributed to the ongoing culture?
CD: We as a people have made sneaker culture extra special. Starting with the first Black designer Wilson Smith, who broke barriers for Black creatives to have a place as creators in the footwear design space. Then, you have the amazing list of Black athletes who did incredible things to make the footwear popular and desired by the masses. Lastly, you have the Black actors and musicians who wore iconic footwear in popular TV and music videos which influenced the youth to a high degree. This all played a huge part in sneaker culture to be as big as it is now.
My contribution to the culture is to help expand the creative community and help creatives discover what they can do with their talent. Sharing design education with the new generation of Black and Brown creatives has been a passion of mine. I’m teaching the youth of tomorrow the process of design, art, and innovation.
SX: How do you think Black culture will continue to add to the ever-growing sneaker/streetwear scene?
CD: Black culture will always be innovative and fresh. We as a people are very creative in our approach to art, design, fashion, sports, and innovation. Just like hip-hop, we can take a sample from a jazz record and make it a completely new sound. That goes for sneaker culture as well. We will always push the culture forward naturally and it doesn’t move without our fingerprints, respectfully.
