Trainer Talk Thursday: Women in Sneaker Culture - Sheznoturavg
I wanted to shine a spotlight on some of the amazing women in sneaker culture that I have been able to connect with on Instagram. I started following Sheznoturavg aka Natasha recently first for her stunning concert photography on her site FromtheOH and very much enjoy her feed & stories, her collection is amazing and we definitely have had great chats about kicks, life, and goals! Here’s a Q&A to get to know her better!
What was the 1st pair of kicks that sparked your interest in sneakers?
I've been a tomboy all my life so back then I was 100% into basketball; we're talking Shaquille O'Neal/Penny Hardaway posters on my wall. I was always looking at what the basketball players wore on the court so that was where my attention went. Without naming Jordan’s, I'll say the first few pair that I loved were the Reebok Blacktops and the OG Grant Hill's (FILA).
How do sneakers fit into your life and aesthetic? Is it part of your career, weekend looks, etc.?
Since the quarantine, I've been working from home so my attire has been more like basketball shorts and flip flops but pre-COVID Monday-Friday I was in business-casual attire for work. After my 8-5 corporate gig; I'm a concert photographer so dressing in dark clothes and comfortable shoes is a must. On the weekend, is when I can be as unique as I want to be with the shoes. I tend to pick out my shoes first and let that inspire my entire outfit which is usually “tomboy chic”.
What are your top 5 kicks and how has that changed over the years?
My top 5 kicks are (in no particular order)
Air Max Atmos Animal Pack - I really got into the design aesthetics for Atmos so when they released this I was still on the hunt for the Air Max 1 Atmos Safari. I actually hit this shoe when the app Frenzy was still new and not botted yet. It was easy and I picked them up that day from one of our boutiques. The shoe is incredibly comfortable and I tend to not put on sneakers when I get them but that shoe... it actually went on my feet the very next day. The fabrics used were/are incredible and it really makes it pop. They really did a good job with that one.
Air Max 1 Safari (Retro) - This wasn't the OG with the peanut butter bottom but the retro was dope to me. I was hunting for it and finally stumbled across it on eBay for a really decent price. I kept it on ice for a little bit but not too long.
Travis Scott Jordan 6 - This one actually has a dope story. I really wanted this sneaker and after striking out on every platform I gave up getting them. I ended up picking up my phone and UbiqLife was doing one of those IG raffles where you tag 2 people and your size and you might win. I've seen this done so many times and I always thought it was rigged but I figured, why not try so I did. I swear, I ended up getting DM'd by them a few days later saying I won. I had never heard of UbiqLife so I hit up my brother asking him if it was legit LOL. Turns out it was, and they shipped the shoes. I was still shocked I won that thing so now I enter every raffle possible LMAO.
Aleali May Jordan 1 - Let me just start off by saying Aleali May is an icon. Being the first woman and a black woman at that to actually collab on a legendary shoe like the Jordan 1, it was a must for me to have that in my collection. No story really on this one, it was just a must to have for me.
Air Max 1 Curry - This one was an easy one for me. My brother and his fiance at the time were putting their wedding details together and one of his requests was for them to wear sneakers for the wedding. He and I were making a list of sneakers he could rock. At the time, the Curry's were coming out and I kept telling him how dope they were and he wasn't on board at the time, he didn't like them. The more he saw them though, the more he started to love them. After a while, he decided that's the shoe he wanted he and his wife to wear. They actually wore them. That's a shoe I own but it's special to me because of them.
This list has changed quite a few times. I'm sure when I get my grails, some of them will be replaced but as of now; these are pretty set.
Do you have a favorite athlete or person for inspiration for looks?
I absolutely love Teyana Taylor's style. Her relaxed Tomboy-femme style is 100% “IT” for me. I love comfort first and foremost; layers, t-shirts, and a dope pair of sneakers. Autumn is my favorite season because you can really put a jacket into the mix with some accessories and pull the whole thing together. I also love Rapsody's style, she's stepped more into the feminine side a little bit but I dig it. I love Scottie Beam's style also; she's so humble and chill that she doesn't see that she is actually opening doors for us; via the sneaker world.
What are some grails that you’re on a quest for still?
Sean Wotherspoon 97/1 - SMH that entire experience was horrible for me. I couldn't hit for anything and although I voted for his shoes to win; I still didn't get my opportunity to pick those up. That one still stings LOL.
Nike SB Dunk Panda Pigeons
Nike SB Dunk Green Lobsters
NIke SB Dogwalkers
Nike Air Max Day (2014 w/ fluorescent sole)
Jordan 5 Wings
Nike Air Max 1 Atmos Elephant
Jordan 1 Shattered Backboard
[I mean I really could keep going LOL]
What are issues or things you dislike about women and sneaker culture? How would you change those things?
There are a lot of issues however I wish that these sneaker corporations would pull more black women into the fold as shoe designers, consultants, team leads, and executives. It's so ironic to see companies pandering sneakers to black culture however they won’t hire them to consult or design. There is actually an article making its way on Medium that's blowing the doors wide open on Nike and Converse's way of thinking in regards to marketing to black women... it's deplorable. I also feel that there are tons of sneaker influencers on social media that don't get anywhere near the attention as their white counterparts. Seeing black women with dark skin, natural hair and comfortable in their skin seems so far off from the demographic that companies are trying to reach. I'm also tired of seeing the "high fashion" sneakers with lace, zippers, buttons, and a platform. Pushing those things towards women as if that's what we asked for. .. we didn't ask for that.
How would I change these things? I would start from the top and binge-purge. I would create diverse teams whose jobs were to research new talent and study the culture. These teams would understand our culture and not speculate what they think it consists of. There are a lot of women in the U.S. and Internationally doing their thing, and it's beautiful to see. From designed Nike check pillows made out of dyed Nike socks to podcasts and legitimate sneaker conversations that spotlight women from diverse backgrounds who have been in this game for years. This quarantine has allowed more creativity then I think we've ever seen and it's truly inspiring to be able to witness it. Since these women aren't being noticed by the powers that be, they are creating their own opportunities. I would also start a design program for those who would like to get more into the design aspect; maybe once the program is over they'll get an internship with Nike that allows them to receive the hands-on experience and the capability to move within the company.
What do you see as the future of sneaker culture and where do you see yourself fitting into that?
I see more independence. I'm waiting on Lena Waithe to pen a show centered around the everyday sneakerheads who are women LOL. I see more women who are going to design their own thing... without the big corporations. Where do I fit in? I'm actually not sure. Down the line, I'd love to have a sneaker boutique that's certified appropriately to carry SBs, Dunks, etc. in Cleveland. With a business-relationship with Nike and Adidas, I'd love to have sneaker release parties and bring more awareness to the City. We have a nice sized sneaker community here that does not get enough attention compared to other cities. It is difficult copping "hype" shoes here because a lot of the stores either backdoor them or you have to be somebody that knows somebody. If you're a person that likes shoes, it's hard to cop and you either end up going without or buying them resell. I'd love to help with that.
Any final things you may want to add or plug?
At the end of the day, rock what you like. Sneakers were always about expressing yourself and I feel like we've gotten away from that. A shoe doesn't have to be "hype" to be dope. Follow me on IG @sheznoturavg and say Hi.
Photo Credit: Sheznoturavg
Photo Credit: Sheznoturavg
Photo Credit: Sheznoturavg
