At StockX, we know sneakers are more than just footwear. For #NationalSneakerDay 2019, StockX took the time to gather some sneaker stories from team members around the world. From creating relationship to sneakers getting baked to memories that will last a lifetime – scroll down below to read some of the special StockX #NationalSneakerDay stories.
Ashley Shoate (Squid) – Customer Service in Detroit, Michigan
āMy favorite sneaker story is by far hitting the Travis Scott Highs on SNKRS because this was the only shoe I wanted more than anything that I wasnāt able to camp for. Every other shoe I was able to get, I camped for or came up on a steal price. But these? These were different. I never hit on SNKRS so my hopes werenāt high but I thought to myself ā what if ? ā so Iām sitting there, patiently waiting till 10 AM ( I believe that was the time ). After getting in, I tried to pick my size and kept getting this stupid error message.Ā
I see a tweet that said, ā sign out then sign back in and that should make it go through.ā normally I wouldnāt even chance it but I didnāt think it mattered because I already thought it was an L I took so I said screw it. I signed out, and was able to sign in. Chose my size and payment method with no issue at all and then BAM! I was in line within seconds. Now, itās 30 mins into this so Iām thinking ā this has to be sold out and SNKRS just is glitching by not saying sold out ā NOPE! That wasnāt the case. Within 2 mins, I see that big beautiful ā GOT āEM ā screen pop up on my phone and lost my mind. That was the luckiest time of my life honestly.”
Calvin Tandjung – Data Analyst in Detroit, Michigan
āMy friend sent me a link to a Nike Space Camp event in NYC during the summer after I graduated from Michigan State. I signed up instantly as I was after the original Tom Sachs Mars Yards for years. Begged my sister to let me stay with her and two days later I flew out to NYC. The Space Camp was held at a secret warehouse on Governor’s Island where you had to take a ferry and Nike Golf carts lined up to take you to the warehouse. Once in the warehouse, they took pictures of our ID tags and gave us uniforms to change into. We had to complete an obstacle course that took about an hour in order to purchase the shoes.āĀ
Scott Cutler – CEO in Detroit, Michigan
“Iāve always been passionate about sneakers, in fact, I remember reaching out to Josh and Greg a mere two days after the original launch of StockX. But one of the things I find most special about sneakers is the sense of community that surrounds them. Here at StockX, weāve always been about fostering and engaging that community, including here at our office. People from all across the globe (including some of our team members featured today) find an identity or a sense of belonging just by sharing their love for a particular brand or silhouette. Weāre grateful to be a part of those communities, and think the best part of our story is yet to be written.”
Brittany Johnson – Engineer in Detroit, Michigan
āMy most memorable sneaker moment would have to be copping the Big Sean xĀ Adidas Originals Pro Model II āHall of Fameā sneaker. Features like the classic Adidas shell-toe design partnered with the āDetroit Gatorā leather design made this shoe an absolute must-have and not to mention our Hometown Hero Big Sean was releasing his own sneaker. This would be the very first time that I camped out for a sneaker, so needless to say, I didnāt know what to expect. My anxiety was at an all-time high, my mind was constantly thinking things like, what do I do if I get sleepy, where do I use the restroom, how am I supposed to stand up for all of these hours. However, after about an hour of waiting, some kid set up a TV and his Xbox and we all began to play NBA 2K while waiting in line, and before I knew it the store was open and sales were in full effect. I was able to cop my pair and I even met Big Sean and had him sign my āHall of Fameā CD! #BestDayEverā
Arisa Ueno – Account Manager in Tokyo, Japan
“PUMA x BUFFALO LONDON Suede Classic Womenās Sneakers is actually the first pair I bought online. Since it has a ā90s theme look, almost everyone I met said “That is such “kawaii” (cute) sneakers.” When I wear those, I feel like being a hip star, and it makes me want to walk all over Tokyo instead of taking the subway. I love it.”
Takeshi “Tee” YamamuraĀ – Brand Manager in Tokyo, Japan
“When you are B-boy, you always look “STUPID FRESH”, and you must have some pairs of “Proked’s.” Those are my favorite shoes of all time. Since I’ve been into hip-hop for a long time, my Proked’s got old and dirty from actually getting down in cypers but I still love my Proked’s as an original b-boy shoe.”
Lupe Castillo – Authenticator in Moonachie, New Jersey
āThe Rasheed Wallace Air Force 1 High, all patent leather with a hint of university blue, to pay homage to his days at UNC. I’ll never forget when my mom surprised me with this pair during the holidays. It was the first sneaker were it opened my eyes to this whole culture. Besides the sneaker having such a monumental moment in my life, it was seeing my mom work so hard for them, which made me appreciate it even more. I was 14 at the time and fast-forwarding to today I’ve been working in sneakers for 10 years (Finishline, Foot Locker, Nike factory store, and a sneaker boutique in Cincinnati called Corporate) really amazing to have a job at StockX and to be working with a product I enjoy.ā
Sonny Martinez – Streetwear Lead in Moonachie, New Jersey
“My best sneaker story is about the Nike SB Concepts Red Lobster Campout in Cambridge. Massachusetts. In 2008, three friends and myself drove from Brooklyn to Cambridge to camp at the Concepts boutique for the next five days. We arrived and were the first four in line. The sneaker came with special packaging for the first 50 pairs that included a wood crate designed exactly to the ones used by fishermen to catch actual lobsters. My pair was 2 of 50 and is signed by Deon (the owner of the shop) and Stash (a famous graffiti artist from Brooklyn). During the camp out we made a lot of friends and were even photographed and featured in the Boston Herald. Till today I have the sneakers in deadstock condition with all original accessories and a copy of the newspaper we were featured in.Ā
In 2010, I actually sold the sneakers on eBay and remained friends with the buyer who I still talk to today. In 2018, he reached out and told me he could never wear the sneakers because he knew how much I went through to acquire them and sold them back to me for what he paid In 2010. The value has skyrocketed and now that they are back in my possession, they are priceless. I even have a YouTube unboxing video posted on my channel as a project to complete the Sneaker Essentials course by Complex and FIT. There are so many small details that make this the most coveted item in my collection, and a story a whole community can resonate with.”
Elodie Prochet – Brand Manager in London, England
“My favorite pair of sneakers are my Jordan 6 Infrared Reds. I grew up with two brothers that were both fans of basketball. I grew up surrounded by Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Garnett posters, playing every 2k game and spending my after-school time on the court. The first time that I saw the Infrared, I was 8-years-old living in France, and it was almost impossible to get one pair (and I obviously couldn’t afford it). But I promised myself to get a pair in my life. And this day happened this year for my 26th Birthday!”
Celine Devarieux – Customer Service Specialist in London, England
“I was a Parisian student who could only afford a small apartment with cheap rent because all my money was spent on sneakers and Vogue magazines. I use to store all my sneaker boxes in crazy spaces in this flat (under the bed, behind doors, in the kitchen…). So, Iām dating this guy (my future husband) and he offered to cook dinner at my tiny place as a second date. I never used my oven because it was more a storage for sneakers for me. As I started to see smoke in the kitchen, I realized I havenāt removed the sneaker box before he preheated the oven because cooking the chicken. Firemen were called, but it all ended well for my sneakers, as only the box got burned. He later told me that he knew I was the one because this was the craziest date he had ā¦ storing sneakers in an oven!! FYI the pair was an Air Max 1 2005 release.”
