TWOTF: So how did you get into Jordans or into sneakers?

Chris: I remember as a kid my mum had a thing for shoes, high-heeled shoes in particular so I always remember being around her and how much she loved shoes. When I was 12 or 13 I started getting into sneakers and I struck a deal with my mum and she told me that as long as I could maintain good grades at school I could have any sneakers I wanted. So I kept my grades up and my mum kept to her part of the bargain.

TWOTF: So when would you say you really got into collecting sneakers?

Chris: When I was 16 I got my first job as a lifeguard at York College in New York. Then I had my own money to buy shoes with. Back then I was into Jordans but also Air Force Ones and other kicks such as Nike Air Maxes. All my friends thought I was crazy because that’s all I was interested in spending my money on – sneakers. Most kids had 2 or 3 pairs in rotation but my collection was starting to swell and I had a bunch of pairs and I really started to look after mine and keep ‘em boxed and stacked up in a closet. It was the start of me becoming a collector.

Later I worked at Champs sneaker store and later still connected with people working for Nike and the shoe obsession just snowballed from there.