WE ALL HAVE THAT ONE FRIEND WHO OWNS MORE SHOES THAN THEY NEED. ASK THEM, AND THEY WILL HAVE ALL REASONS TO JUSTIFY WHAT THEY OWN. THE ONES WHO BUY A PAIR FROM ALMOST EVERY BRAND, BUT THEY KNOW THEIR CLEAR FAVOURITES. THEY REMEMBER NAMES OF EVERY PAIR AND HAVE A STORY FOR EACH. YET, SOME BRANDS MAKE THEM TICK AND COME BACK, SOME BRANDS THEY NEVER THROW AWAY AND RECALL AS CLASSICS. MEET OUR FEATURED SHOE HOARDERS…
NAME Navendhu Malik
AGE 25
WHAT DO YOU DO DJ (@chasing.nothing)
How many shoes do you have 138.
Oldest shoe A four year old Salomon XT wings 2. it is one of the most comfortable pair of shoes for trail runs and trekking.
Favourite shoe brand Adidas, they have ever y style in their catalogue. From retro 90s to the latest Yeezy and NMD. they constantly update the technologies and materials used in shoe making.
Indian shoe brand you like Mehrasons in Connaught Place (Delhi) is perfect for custom leather shoes. They have been in the shoemaking business since 1947.
What do you look for when buying a new pair New innovative design, unique in colour and style.
Retail or online Retail shopping. You get to try the shoe before you buy them. i cannot imagine buying one without trying or feeling it.
What is the lifeline of your shoes before they are replaced or discarded I wear them till they are worn the hell out.
How strong is the influence of celebrity collaborations ‘What’ is done to the shoe in the process of the collaboration is more important to me, than the ‘who’. if the collaboration brings something unique, which it mostly does, then it sure intrigues.
All time favourite shoes Nike Yeezy Red October.
Recent addition Adidas locator black.
Top three shoes in your closet Nike Yeezy Red October, Puma Ignite sock and Salomon XT wings 2.
Your ideal shoes would have Swappable colour and style.
How far have you gone for shoes I remember painting and customizing one of my really old pair of shoes as a kid. Mainly to restore it and to have it look unique, because my friends may have the same pair.
NAME Rininam Adam Nabam
AGE 22
OCCUPATION Dentistry student (@riniam_n)
How many shoes do you have A little over 60.
Oldest shoe I have a pair of four year old ALDO stilettos; the brand is best when it comes to longivity.
Top five brands in your closet Aldo, Forever New, H&M, Forever 21 and Zara
Indian shoe brand you like Catwalk is pretty good.
Online shopping over going to the mall Online shopping for unique finds. Everyone at the mall ends up wearing almost similar stuff.
What is the lifeline of your shoes before they are replaced or discarded On an average, it would last from a year to nine months before I either get bored or they rip off.
How strong is the influence of celebrity collaborations It makes me curious enough to at least go and check it out. That being the first step before buying, it is effective.
How much of your income goes into shopping 50 percent.
Your ideal shoes would have 4-6 inch high heels, monotone or beige, with neat gold details.
How far have you gone for shoes Two years ago, it was for a Steve Madden golden pumps named ‘dejavu’. I literally visited ALL SM stores in Delhi and Gurgaon but still didn’t find my size. I then asked the store manager to call Mumbai, to ask if they can ship it to Delhi. however, the product was out of stock in India. Eventually I ordered a pair from Dubai. I still have the heels on me.
NAME Vikram Bajaj
AGE 27
WHAT DO YOU DO Men’s wear designer
(@vikrambajajdesign)
How many shoes do you have 40 that are good to use otherwise more.
Oldest shoe A black patent leather sneaker from Dolce & Gabbana. I wear them to concerts if nowhere else.
Top five brands in your closet: Bottega Veneta, Christian Loubotin, Paul Smith, Hugo Boss, Gucci and Zara.
Any Indian shoe brand you like? Sadly can’t think of anyone GOOD.
Online shopping over going to the mall I have never bought shoes online. I wear different sizes (42, 43 and 44) for different brands. Shopping online for shoes is a hassle.
Influence of celebrity collaborations Collaborations are a great idea, you get the quality from the brands with the design sensibility, taste and signature style of the celebrity.
Your ideal shoes would have Sport couture! Best of both worlds. in college, I designed a shoe for Bata, it was an international competition. I was placed in the top 10, world wide. Just saying.
Recent additions Suede Ferragamo Slip-ons, Nike ‘metcon’ for training and a Hugo Boss sneakers.
NAME Jasmehar Singh
AGE 24
WHAT DO YOU DO CEO & Founder, DANK (@aintthatdank)
How many shoes do you have Close to 30.
Oldest shoes My Nike air max 90’s are seven years old. they are classic sneakers and always go well with anything that is in trend, formal or casual.
Favourite shoe brand Adidas, because you can wear their designs to any occasion. You can wear them to the gym, as well as to the club.
Indian shoe brand you like I got these custom made shoes by a brand called Modello Domani. they do a good job. if you are looking for something high end, you should hit the guys up at Hemmistry.
Retail or online You can only judge a shoe once you take a stroll in them. retail for sure.
How strong is the influence of celebrity collaborations Of course. I being a hip hop enthusiast, if my favourite rapper collaborates with a shoe brand, I would be the first in line.
Style inspiration ASAP Rocky.
All time favourites Nike Air Force 1, Air Jordan 2 and Reebok Classics.
Top three shoes in your closet Nike Yeezy Red October, Puma Ignite sock and Salomon XT wings 2.
Recent addition Adidas x Jeremy Scott 3.0.
Your ideal shoes would have It would have a lot of patent leather with gold studs and DANK (my brand name) embossed on top of it.
How far have you gone for shoes Waited in line for a couple of hours outside the store for a pair of Yeezy’s.
NAME Devika Bhargav
AGE 26
WHAT DO YOU DO Businesswoman & Stylist (@adevikabhargav)
How many shoes do you have A hundred pairs, give and take.
Favourite shoe brand Clichéd, but Christian Louboutin.
Indian shoe brand you like I don’t really wear any Indian shoe brand, I prefer them only for Jootis (traditional wear).
What do you look for when buying a new pair It has to be different, in style and in colour. I am allergic to boring.
Retail shopping or online For shoes, definitely retail.
What is the lifeline of your shoes before they are replaced or discarded I never discard. Just stow away.
How strong is the influence of celebrity collaborations For me, not much. though for the masses I believe, a lot.
All time favourite shoes I have a pair of beige 6 inch wedges, that go with literally anything (cannot recall the brand). but this one has lasted quite long.
Recent addition Silver Sneakers from Stradivarius.
Top favourites from your closet These white Tory Burch Slippers that are rain-proof. Ideal for the current season. A pair of beige studded Louboutins that my baby sister gifted me from her first pay cheque.
Your ideal shoes would have A lot of skin peeping through.
How far have you gone for shoes Oh I’ve done many crazy things in the pursuit of shoes. If I think of one thing off-hand that I’ve done often would be, making multiple trips to the store after noticing minute (pretty much nonexistent) scratches, colour and spots. Though, off-late I’m trying to train myself to relax. 🙂
