Sole Friends: Arvanna.

Meet our Sole Friend, Arvanna. (@acsmart)

Charlotte, NC.

Hey y’all, I’m Arvanna. I’m originally from Rochester, NY but I currently stay in Charlotte, NC.

What was it about sneakers that got you in the game?

Honestly, I got into sneakers about 1st grade and it was all because of my dad. I remember he would always have the coolest shoes and I’d get upset because the only sneaker they (my parents) would buy me were the Classic Reeboks in all white.

What was your first sneaker?

My first pair that got me into sneakers were the "Wheat" Air Jordan 13s. My second pair were some Mid uptowns with a blue Nike check and blue outsole 😮‍💨. They were super clean.

Your favorite pair?

Honestly, I don’t even have a top 3 BUT my number one silhouette is the Air Jordan 1 model.

My favorite sneakers are the Royal 1s.

I love ‘em so much, that I have a AJ1 tattoo on my leg lol (which lowkey I sometimes think, man ima be 50 with a sneaker tattoo lol).

Your favorite sneaker memory?

Hmm, my favorite sneaker memory would have to be waiting in line with my dad for the Bred AJ11s.

Usually he would go by himself but this time he had finally let me come. I was too excited and he kept telling me it wasn’t going to be fun lol. Plus it was in the middle of winter in New York. Let’s just say, I aint ask to go camp out for any sneakers after that lol.

Do you consider yourself a collector of sneakers? & Do you wear your sneakers?

I would say I am a collector but I have a good balance.

Yes, I wear my sneakers.

I’m all for wearing your kicks but being a collector as well, there are certain pairs that I just won’t wear or only wear on special occasions. If I really like a shoe, I’ll also just buy two pair. One to stock and one to rock.

Whats your favorite brand of sneaker and why?

This one is a tough question. I would have to say Nike. They have the most versatile models that it‘s hard for them not to be my favorite brand. On top of that, they house Jordan Brand and Converse, which are two other brands I love.

What are a pair of grails to you?

My grails are the Air Jordan 1, Royals. The blue is just so clean and the colorblocking on the Air Jordan 1 is already dope.

Your favorite sneaker campaign?

I used to be the Social Media Manager at the Whitaker Group. That allowed me a bunch of dope opportunities in the sneaker industry.

I’d have to say the A Ma Maniere 3s campaign is my favorite because I was able to see everything from ideation phase all the way down to execution as well as have a say in the campaign.

A must have for your closet?

A must have in your closet is for sure an all white sneaker.

Now actual sneaker model… I always tell people getting into sneakers to buy what you like not what’s cool.

Start off with some basics that you can wear with a lot of things like some Uptowns, blazers, AJ 1 lows, New Balance 550s, Samba or shell toe adidas.

Then work your way up to the hyper stuff. It’ll save some bread AND you’ll get an appreciation for the game before automatically being disappointed because you didn’t get the hype sneaker.

What is a shoe that you REFUSE to buy, why?

I REFUSE TO BUY REEBOK CLASSICS.

From the time I can remember until like 2nd grade they would get me a new pair of sneakers every week. I would be soooo excited and would open the box to see the same exact shoe. A all white Reebok classic 😑. My mom said she thought they looked soo cute on small feet and she hated to see kids with dirty white shoes so I to keep a fresh pair.

Now you will never catch that sneaker in my closet. Lol

Most you’ve ever spent on sneakers?

The most I've spent on sneakers is $400 which is pretty cheap compared to most collectors lol.

I’ve been fortunate enough to get a lot of retail opportunities. I also still wear Grade School sizes lol.