I got a chance to catch up with Janz Abdullah, known for collecting the most Staple’s collaborations sneakers in Singapore and probably the world too. We met through some mutual friends and also during one of the early years of Sole Superior. His line up of Nike SB‘s on his Instagram page will make your jaw drop. Let’s dig up something now.
If Nike didn’t exist, would it be Adidas or New Balance?
Hands down I will choose New Balance. I am never a fan of Adidas to begin with. At least the New Balance has a collaboration with Staple that I can at least wear. ‘Hahaha‘
Why you chose the Nike SB’s as your preferred sneaker collection?
Because of Travis Scott. ‘Hahahaha. Kidding’. The reason is that every Nike SB shoe has a history and concept behind it. Design-wise, the way of how it is being released and for an example, Nike released a newer version of the Raygun in late 2019. It was to pay homage to the past version of Raygun as well as to the man himself, Sandy Bodecker. The guy who made a great impact in Nike SB. He was seen wearing a tie-dye Raygun hoodie a couple of times thus the newer version has that idea taken in on the mid panel of the sneaker. To me that is history. I do not just own a pair of the shoe but I am owning a history as well. I would say, 99% of Nike SB shoe release has its story behind it. Nike SB also infused cultures, like streetwear fashion, music, artwork, places, shops and etc. For example, the Nike SB ‘NYC Pigeon‘. It is a collaboration between skateboarding and streetwear culture. In other words, I am owning 2 different culture in one. It also makes one expand and learn other subculture without realising.
You’re left with the last $300 for the month, there’s a Nike SB release. What would you choose? Food or Sneakers?
FOOD! If you are starving yourself over a pair of shoes, you have to get your priorities check. Hahaha. Do not starve yourself because of shoes!
There is thousands of sneaker collaborations, but why Staple Pigeon?
Because it is something I can relate to. My late grandma used to stay at Palmer Road and my mum was being raised up there. Along Palmer Road, there is a worship place that has hundreds of pigeons. When I was a kid, both of them will bring me there while they do their prayers. What I had with me are just bread and green beans to feed the pigeons while waiting for them. Growing up, I happen to come across this brand and instantly I was able to relate to it. It reminded me of the past as a kid. At the same time, I like Jeff Staple’s creativity and work. There is always an explanation behind it and it is not just another creative work that is being shown visually. His thoughts and process always intrigue me and that is something that I am still learning today.
How would you react when a skateboarder says to you “Nike SB are made for skateboarding”?
I will just smile and not bother about it. ‘Hahaha‘. Technically they are right. Nike SB was meant for skateboarding and till date, skateboarders are still wearing it to skate but sneakers fall into a subculture called Sneaker Culture. Thus we have basketball shoes, skateboarding shoes, trainers and so on. The Sneaker Culture community appreciates every sneaker differently. For example, a guy who have no basketball skills but good in soccer, buy a pair of Jordan’s shoe. He buys it because he knew who is Michael Jordan. Nothing is wrong with that. If the shoe is really meant for its purpose then Sneaker Culture won’t have existed today.
First ever pair of Nike SB you owned?
Nike SB Newcastle. I love yellow!
Your thoughts on sneaker reselling?
It all boils down to supply and demand. If there is demand, for sure there will be supply. Some of my friends who are abroad are dependant on resellers for a pair. The reason being is because they are unable to get it during releases. The easiest mentality is getting a shoe from resellers which is hassle-free with prices within their own budget and it will be good enough. Just to be honest, I got some of my pair from resellers. The only thing as a buyer is that you have to be smart. Smart in a sense to know the market resell price and which reseller to go to. I believe that sneaker reselling has now become a nature of the Sneaker Culture. If you find the prices higher, then it is simple, don’t buy them and keep on hunting. There is no way we can stop sneaker reselling.
Have you ever thought of selling off everything in your collection? ‘
Hahaha’.. I am not sure about the future but for now it is a no. But if you can offer me a villa in Bali, I might consider! It has to be near La Favela, okay? ‘Hahahaha…Kiddinggg ‘:p
How did Jeff Staple react to your Pigeon’s collection? You got to met him while he was here in Singapore?
We talked virtually online. In 2017, he was doing a promo for Puma NTRVL in Singapore. That was the first time we both met. I brought a bag full of ‘Pigeons‘ shoes for him to sign and he was shocked that I own that much of pairs. He actually videoes it and uploaded to his IG story. He said that my collection is more than his. ‘Hahaha‘.
Sneakerheads are known to be snobs and flashy. Not all, but most. Tell us what is your personal experience on this.
I usually can’t be bothered. ‘Hahahaha‘. I mean, when they are snobbish, I will just avoid and distance myself from them. To me, that is negativity and toxic mentality which I do not need. ‘Hahaha‘. Flashy… I think it is more of an alter ego of a sneakerhead. I do not blame them for being flashy because some took a long time to obtain a pair and got a little excited. It is their grail and they would like to share to with rest, so be it. But if you want to flex and look down on others, that is something not right and unethical. At the end of the day, nothing we own last forever. Today we might rise but we do not know about the following days. Always good to stay grounded and humble. Do not take the sneaker game too seriously and treat it as a competition.
All photographs courtesy of Janz Abdullah.
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