Sole Friends: Clarissa.

Smoove The Source.
Dec 29, 2022
3 min read

Updated: Oct 24, 2023

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

Growing up in Harlem, you just gotta be fly - there’s no way around it!

Flyness is definitely a mentality, and growing up where those around you get fly for sport was a bit intimidating.

Coming from a poor family, I’d get new clothes and shoes twice a year, if that (birthdays and Christmas). And then, attending catholic school through my younger years, we didnt have many opportunities to showcase our flyness besides gym class and random Fridays where we could be out of uniform. I’d dread those days sometimes knowing that I wasnt gonna be able to throw on some new shoes or new clothes, nervous about what kids would think or say.

When I got older I was able to fund the closet I wish I had as a kid, and so now, getting dressed is my favorite part of the day. I express myself so much through my style, something I could never do as a poor kid from Harlem.

What was your first sneaker?

The first pair I copped for myself was Concords! What can I say, Spanish b****** love 11s!

Your favorite pair?

I don’t have a fav pair, because honestly I’m still learning my way around Sneaker Culture and I just can’t choose one, but my favorite silhouette is Uptempos - something about the colorways and the collabs that have come out featuring this silhouette get me every time. Uptempos are the most comfortable sneakers to me.

I wanna add that women OG Jordan’s silhouette in my opinion is so similar to uptempos which is why I think I own about 4 different colorways (so I guess these two silhouettes would be my favorite right now)

Your favorite sneaker memory.

My favorite sneaker memory would be getting chosen to model the Nike Air Max 90, Bacon for WOODSTACK NYC - I wanted this pair so bad and couldn’t hit on them for anything! I was able to secure a pair though the connections I was able to make during the shoot, which to me was dope. Ask and you shall receive; the universe will always provide.

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

My sister always advises me to wear your sneakers! That doesn’t mean to turn them into beater though, wear and take care of your kicks. Invest in sneaker cleaner, crease protectors, take pride in your kicks!

I really love coordinating my outfits starting with my sneakers, then I follow up everything else like my socks, my nails, etc; I take any aspect that I can incorporate from the shoe into my outfit and really run with that. Getting dressed from the shoe up is so fun to me.

Your favorite sneaker campaign?

Not for nothing, I wanna shout out my own campaign when I was chosen via Cultivator to brand, market, and sell 3 pairs of custom AF1s.

I decided to tell a story about the projects of NYC and I highlighted three from the West side of Harlem. It was surreal to be in collaboration with Nike and it was a great learning experience when it came time to develop the story line, the ads, the video promotion, etc. I’d love to do something like that again.

Storytelling is a big part of me, and a big catalyst when it comes to the shoes I decide to purchase. A strong storyteller in the game right now would be Joe Freshgoods based out of Chicago. The way he brings realness and nostalgia to his campaigns is something I also aspire to do.

A must have for your closet?

Honestly, I’m gonna say crease protectors.

I just got recently put on, and they’re game changers! Regardless of the shoe, you need these joints! They’re gonna preserve the look of your sneakers in the long run, I promise!

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

Any sneaker with a platform sole is NOT THE VIBES in my opinion.