At the heart of StockX are the people that love the products. We each have our favorites, whether it’s the latest Supreme accessory or the Jordan retro. The culture surrounding sneakers, streetwear, and accessories captivates us and keeps our love for this world growing. The grails that we come across only heighten our intrigue even more and remind us why we came to love sneaker culture in the first place. For our first StockX Week, we talked to some of our teammates about their most sought-after pieces that they hope to one day add to their collection and what got them into collecting in the first place.
Andrew H., Director of Business Development
Andrew has worn many hats while working at StockX. He initially worked in streetwear, then later became director of collectibles, and now is taking on the task of supporting our biggest driver: sneakers. But even before StockX, Andrew has always been a huge collector of accessories, specifically Supreme, where he’s amassed thousands of items since 2011. So when it comes to what would be your average Supreme lover’s grail, he probably has it.
“I feel like I’ve been able to get my hands on everything I’ve wanted over the years. If I had to key on one grail I’d probably choose the Supreme x Meissen Cupid Figure,” says Andrew.
But there’s still that one Supreme item he’s chasing after. “The Supreme Pinball Machine is something that has always eluded me, but I definitely still want it.”
Wendi Z., Account Manager
Wendi is our account manager guru. She’s been keeping our users happy on the east coast and supplying them with the tools they need to use StockX effectively. Wendi is also a true sneaker lover of the game, starting her sneaker collection when she was only 13 and using her saved money from daycare to purchase Playoff Air Jordan 14s. But she’s moved up from Jordan 14s, now having the coveted Nike SB Dunk Low Tiffany in her collection.
Till this day, she’s still chasing after her one true love: the Nike SB Dunk Low Paris. She admits that’s gonna take a lot of daycare money to get to though, with the last sale on these limited-edition sneakers going for $14K.
Until then, she’ll stick with eyeing a pair of Salehe Bembury’s signature Crocs.
Darryl G., People Experience Operations
When it comes to our teammates, we always strive to provide the best experience possible, and Darryl is on the front lines of that goal. And the reason why he cares so much is because he’s a true sneakerhead at heart. Darryl sent in a picture of his collection for this article and it’s pretty nuts, but just goes to show you the type of passionate people who work here.
Darryl’s current grail that he has in his possession is the Nike Hyperdunk 08 “SnakePool”, inspired by the Jackass Commercial where Steve-O had Kobe Bryant jump over a pool of snakes. It took him almost two whole years to obtain those Kobes but he’s happy to have them finally in his collection. And, he wears them regularly.
Currently, when asked what he still has his eyes set on, Darryl only wants more Kobes. “Some shoes I have my eyes on are: Nike Zoom Kobe 1 “Stash”, Nike Zoom Kobe 1 “Undefeated Yellow Camo” (La Brea), Nike Air Jordan I “Trophy Room”, Nike Zoom Kobe 1 “Prelude”, Nike Zoom Kobe 4 “Prelude”, Nike Air Jordan II Low “Off White” (White Pair).
Here’s hoping he gets them soon and adds more to the box towers in his home.
Candace C., Director, Merchandising Management
Candace is a real badass. Working closely with her, you see all the work she puts into researching/staying up-to-date on trends, ensuring supply of goods for our daily customers, and, above all, making sure the luxury apparel we have on the site is just the thing that our shoppers are looking for. Someone in her position has to be steeped in fashion, and Candace has the expertise to prove it.
“I have been building out my wardrobe and collection for as long as I can remember, but especially since I started working in fashion for the past ~12 years,” says Candace. She’s a big fan of vintage clothing, specifically from brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Her most recent pickup, which just so happened to be a grail of hers, is this Paco Rabanne disco dress. It’s a special one to her for two reasons: 1. It’s for her wedding after party (Yay!) and 2. In Candace’s words: “It’s the 1996 special edition remake of the original 1966 dress which is now included in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s permanent collection and is listed in Marie Claire’s ‘50 Dresses That Changed Fashion.’” 0
She’s still a sucker for the recent run of fashionable items like the rest of us as well, occasionally falling for “Birkin Bait”. Her next grail is the Mini Kelly bag from Hermés. But while she’s saving up for that bag, her more near sighted item that she wants is a pair of Carhartt WIP overalls. They’re currently sold out everywhere and are proving to be harder to get a hold of than the mini Birken itself.
Rachel M., Senior Director, Business Development
Rachel has one of the most INSANE handbag collections that I’ve (or anyone else) has ever seen. If you’re ever lucky enough to get a Zoom meeting with her, you can see her taking calls while inside her walk-in (YES, walk-in) bag closet. Bags from Louis Vuitton to Chanel of varying ages are all sitting perfectly shelved in her home. But she doesn’t just let them sit, you can find her sporting them on the days she makes it into the office.
“I’ve been collecting for almost 20 years now, I think I started collecting handbags around 2004, but my oldest piece is from the early 90s,” says Rachel.
You’d think that with that many years collecting bags you’d have everything you want, but you’d be wrong. The thing is, her collection will never stop growing. “I will never find peace; there will always be something on my hit list.” Recently, Rachel has her eyes set on a Hermés Kelly bag and a pair of Off-White Jordan 4 Sails.
But her most precious grail in her collection is her Birken bag, which she acquired back in 2017. For those of you that don’t know how hard it is to get one not for resale, let’s just say, it’s extremely difficult. You basically have to be specially selected to buy one. That’s how deep Rachel’s love for handbags goes.