One of the go-to sources of knowledge in the global sneaker community, UK based collector Magdi Fernandes has generated a growing following through documenting his expansive collection via his nostalgia-filled Instagram page, @Archive.DNA.
To mark Air Max Day, we sat down with Magdi to discuss all things swoosh – from what Air Max culture means in the country’s capital to how the Air Max 90 sparked the change that led to a career in the sneaker game.
What is your history with Air Max?
My first memory of Air Max was in London in 1992 when my older brother and I saw the Air 180 for the first time in a sports shop. Our minds were blown! Eventually, I started playing basketball and the Air Max Uptempos, Chris Webber’s (Air Max CW), Air Max CB34 and shoes like that were everything. It wasn’t until 2001 when the Air Max 90 got re-released in the US and made everyone in London fiend for them, including me. The Air Max has been a major part of my journey in the industry ever since.
Can you describe Air Max culture in your City?
As mentioned before, the Air Max 90 pretty much started the Air Max culture in London. It evolved quickly into ANY Air Max that released, from 90s, 1s, 93s, Bursts, 95s, Max Plus, 97s, etc. London, in my opinion, is the global capital of Air Max.
30 years on, how does the AM90 rank for you among the all-time greats?
The AM90 will always be high in the ranking for all-time greats and will always be. Thinking that shoe is 30 years old and are still timeless, shows how important they are.
First or favourite ever pair of AM90s you owned? How did they make you feel?
My favourite pair of Air Max 90s are the “Escape 2” version from 2003. They didn’t release in the UK and wearing those got a crazy reaction. The colours and materials were perfect.
What are some of the most iconic AM90 collaborations with European brands or creatives?
You can’t talk about AM90 collabs or any Air Max collabs in Europe without talking about Patta and of course, London had the Dizzee Rascal AM90s, but when you take it to the street level, the Clerks Pack from Size? UK and the Courir “Denim” pair are up there as grails.
What made these collaborations so successful?
The designs, colours and materials used had never been seen on an AM90 before. A lot of the time, it was all about how hard it was to find. The Dizzee pair was practically impossible, the Denim was France only, the Size? pair were UK only and the Patta pair was from Patta and everything they touch turns to gold!
Favourite pair from this year’s Air Max Day release lineup?
This year, my favourite AMD release is the AM95 from Size?. That referencing from all previous Size? collabs was a nice touch. It is quite fitting, bringing back a Euro exclusive Air Max for this day.
Be sure to check out more of our Air Max Day 2020 interviews with Jeff Staple, SOSHI, Mr. Foamer Simpson, and Dave Ortiz.
