Trainer Talk Thursday: Women in Sneaker Culture - Chic In Sneaks
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 recently following Chicinsneaks aka Kiara, the first post I think was her showcasing the Red Iverson’s and a great puddle shot on her original page SneakHer Chic, it was an instant connection for me with her theme shoots and selections! I definitely love the re-brand which further showcases her style, energy & personality through her collection and love her IG Stories! Here’s a Q&A to get to know her better!
What was the 1st pair of kicks that sparked your interest in sneakers?
The first pair were the Uptempo 96s and I’ve been hooked ever since – I had to be 7 years old. I begged my Grandpa to buy them for me and it’s been a wrap ever since!
How do sneakers fit into your life and aesthetic? Is it part of your career, weekend looks etc?
It’s so interesting how sneakers have transcended through my life. Growing up, I was definitely a tomboy so sneakers were my go-to. When I got to college, sneakers were definitely still a part of my aesthetic but since I was a business major; we had to dress up so much more than what I was used to. After graduating and transitioning into Corporate America, I put a lot of money towards heels and building my 9-5 attire. It almost felt like a huge part of my identity was no longer existent since I couldn’t express myself fully in the corporate setting. Over the years, I’ve become a lot more comfortable with who I am and breaking ideals about how women should dress and present themselves. Fast forward to now, sneakers are a part of my everyday life. I work in the Financial Services industry full-time and unfortunately sneakers aren’t much of a thing in that setting. Luckily, I work remote for the most part (pre-pandemic), so I have that flexibility.
What are your top 5 kicks and how has that changed over the years ?
These are in no particular order:
- Air Jordan 11’s – these will always remain in my top 5. Such a classic silhouette.
- New Balance 993s – such a nostalgic shoe for me. Racked up so many pairs of these in college.
- Air Jordan 1’s – you just CANNOT go wrong if you have these in your collection; any colorway.
- Nike Daybreaks – such a transitional shoe. You can dress these up or down.
- Air Jordan 6’s – I love 6’s so I’m pretty biased!
My personal style has shifted over the years, so I know for a fact my answers wouldn’t have been the same. I used to think dressing up had to exist separately and had a hard time figuring out how to marry my love for chic and comfort. Naturally as I grew older, I learned and embraced wearing what felt good to me and no one else.
Do you have a favorite athlete or person for inspiration for looks?
I’m so inspired by my sole sisters and fellow creators I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with since starting Chic in Sneaks last year. Kia (@thenotoriouskia), Kahlana Barfield (@kahlanabarfield), Lee (@iknowlee) and Teyana Taylor (@teyanataylor) are just a few I can think of at the moment. Typically, I go with what feels good to me and represents my personality.
What are some grails that you are on a quest for still ?
This is a very small portion of my grails but Sea Crystal High Dunks, Vashtie 2’s, Melo 2’s, Union 1’s Blue Toes, Melody Eshani’s Jordan 1, the Off-White 4’s, Aleali May Shadow 1’s..wayyyy too many to list!
What are issues or things you dislike about women and sneaker culture? How would You change those things ?
I would like to see more women including POC at the decision-making table. Women have so much more to bring to the culture besides pink sneakers. We want inclusive sizing. We want to be able to purchase sneakers and not compete with resellers. We want more inclusive representation of the brands we continually support. As a Black woman, there’s very little representation and respect given to other Black and Brown creatives.
What do you see as the future of sneaker culture?
I’m hopeful that we will see a shift from inauthentic influencers to true sneaker enthusiasts being given the opportunities to showcase their own personal brands, participate in meaningful collaborations while creating relationships with major brands. There are so many of us that have a true passion for the sneaker culture as a whole but seem to get washed out due to lack of engagement or the huge push for influencers. As a digital creator, we all are very passionate about what we do and I’m starting to see us creating our own environment for us all to thrive in.
Talk about your page rebrand and what can we expect from you this year?
The rebrand was a bit unexpected, but necessary – and I’m so glad I did. I wanted to make sure my brand remains true to who I am at the core, as well as my personal style. You can expect some out-of-the-box concepts but also learn a lot more about me as a person through each series.
Talk about your signature puddle shots and how that came about? How did you go about finding your photographer and collaborate for all your amazing Photoshoot themes?
I can’t even take credit for the reflection shots! My photographer, Harris (@n_rose_j) began doing this during our shoots. Most times it’s typically rained a day or two before we shoot content – and it’s always incorporated as long as we can find a good puddle! We’ve known each other for years, so I knew it would be a great opportunity for the both of us to collaborate and bounce ideas off of one another.
Anything you want to plug for upcoming things?
I just want everyone to be on the lookout for more fire content and some special surprises! There will be more merch dropping soon on my website (www.chicinsneaks.com). I pray that everyone who consumes my content in some capacity is inspired to keep going and strive to live out their dreams. Chic in Sneaks was born because I could no longer ignore or put off something that’s been so embedded in my life – I had to share what I love with the world.
