If you have a passion for collecting rare or exclusive footwear, you're probably all too familiar with catching yourself developing some strong emotional ties for certain pairs from your collection.
In the monthly Kickin' the Door Blog series, we welcome fellow Rotterdam-based sneaker aficionados and footwear connoisseurs to share the Top 3 sneakers from their collection and let us in on the stories that make them so special.
MARGARET WEST
For this episodes guest, Margaret West, being passionate about sneakers started about 20 years ago: "I had two passions: Listening to hip hop and collecting sneakers". Soon after, she started DJ-ing and selling Jordans on the side. Although she admits that she broke one of the first rules of entrepreneurship that is "don't get high off your own supply", she quickly got the hang of flipping the infamous Basketball shoes. While she just buys sneakers to wear them these days, her early entrepreneurial spirit turned into something bigger: Today, she is the proud owner of the fashion boutique Ginza in Pannekoekstraat, manages her eponymous clothing label, and runs the first Japanese "Kawaii" department store in the Netherlands called Nishi. For the 13th episode of the Kickin the Door Blog series, she took some time out of her busy schedule to share her Top 3 sneakers from her collection with us.
We are curious - What are Margaret's Top 3 sneakers from her collection and more importantly, what are the stories behind them?
#3
NIKE AIR JORDAN III "WHITE CEMENT"
(Retro release from 2011)
#2
NIKE LD WAFFLE x SACAI "SUMMIT WHITE"
(Released in 2019)
#1
NIKE AIR MAX 1 "PINK PACK FLAMINGO"
(Released in 2007)
My favourite Nike silhouette has got to be the Air Max 1, although they all have a slightly different fit or silhouette. This one, the Pink Pack Flamingo, is the best of the best in my collection. It was also one of the first 1's that I bought during my Jordan obsession. I just love the combination of the premium mesh and suede materials. Also, the colorway, featuring pink details, different shades of grey on the upper and the golden swoosh is just so on point.
HONORABLE MENTION
NIKE SB BLAZER x SUPREME "BLACK"
(Released in 2006)
I doubt that this shoe needs an introduction. I bought this Blazer at Flight Club for a mere $350 USD about 9 years ago. It was actually supposed to be a present for my partner in crime Tahra, back when Ginza was still a sneaker store. I wanted to get her this pair as a thank you for all the hard work she had put into the store. Years later, she gave them back to me. Since then, I might've worn them once, and I'm not sure whether I will wear them ever again. But one thing is certain: I have absolutely no intention of selling them any time soon.
"I am a sucker for white kicks, there's just something about them that makes me think that they are timeless"
Wanna see more of Margarets multiple ventures? Head over to her Instagram!
CLICK HERE FOR THE PREVIOUS KICKIN THE DOOR WITH DIRECTOR AND FILM-MAKER ROCKY "SIR ROCCO" ROOS!
