Remember back in the day when you first started noticing sneakers? Was it seeing other kids at school showing up in some Js or a pair of Air Force 1s that got you hooked? Or maybe it was scanning the shelves at Foot Locker to see what was hot? Whatever it was, the discovery that used to happen before the scroll was a beautiful thing.Ā
So imagine if your job was unboxing sneakers all day every day. The team in our Melbourne Authentication Centre inspects some of the rarest and most sought-after kicks in the game – so we wanted to find out what they think is hot and not.Ā
Let’s get into it with Laura, who comes from the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and works as an Authenticator.
Letās start with a work question. Whatās the most memorable pair of sneakers youāve seen while working at StockX?
So there are two pairs. The first is the Jordan 4 x Olivia Kim collab. Unfortunately, I didnāt win any raffles. The day I saw that pair come through the AC, I regretted not buying them when they were cheaper straight after release. The other pair is the Air Max 1 Atmos. I wanted that pair so bad. I slept on them thinking they werenāt going to explode in price as they were a bit of a wider release. I was so wrong. It makes me sad every time I see one come through the AC.
Has there been a pair that you saw online and werenāt feeling, but when they came through the Authentication Centre they changed your mind?
The Aleali May Air Jordan 1 CMFT Zoom. I remember seeing photos of those and thinking, āwho puts green and blue together?ā I never really liked the colour combo together, but seeing them in person and feeling the quality of the buttery leather – I quickly changed my mind. After seeing those, I had a greater appreciation of the detail and quality. You donāt see that often these days.
Now onto your sneakers. What have you brought in today, and why do you love them so much?
I brought in the True Blue Jordan 3 (2016) today. The silhouette of the Jordan 3 is my absolute favourite! The colours are simple – I don’t really go for anything bright and colourful – but looking down at a white sneaker with a bit of blue is just so clean.
How’d you get them?
My fiancƩ actually got them at Foot Locker, under retail too!
They’re a 2016 release, how do you keep them so clean?
I’m just very careful where I wear them! I’ve probably only worn these a few times.
How – and where – do you normally wear them?
I wear them anywhere where I know they won’t get dirty – whether going out with friends and family, shopping, or sometimes work. I don’t like my sneakers getting ruined.
Beyond those, what’s a pair you have sitting in a box that doesn’t get as much wear as they should?
I collect Air Force 1s. I’ve got a pair of Air Force 1 max air VTs in camo. I absolutely love them, but they fit a bit small, so I’ve just got them put away. I like to look at them from time to time but can’t bring myself to sell them. I love them too much.
Finally, give me one sneaker prediction for the year.Ā
Obviously, with Jordan 1s popping off for so long, I don’t see it slowing down anytime soon, especially now that they’ve announced the release of the Jordan 1 High 1985 silhouette with a vintage twist to it – which these days everyone seems to love.
