International Women’s Day 2022 may be over, but we’re not stopping for anyone! Here at KLEKT, we want to make sure we keep the conversation going 360 days of the year! So fill your boots we’ve got another Team KLEKT feature for you. Welcome, @aleksandrags! We’ll be finding out what sneakers first sparked her passion for sneakers! You’re in for a treat with this one…

I entered the world of sneakers around 16 years ago. This was at a time when no one in my country (Poland) knew how to get sneakers. For me, it started with collecting different colours of Vans, Converse and Dunks from various polish stores. Then, when I started studying, I met a group of people who were interested in streetwear and slightly more limited shoes, and thanks to them, I got into sneakers! Once we travelled to Germany together just to wait in front of the stores to get the items we really wanted to buy. Back then, it was the time of Asics and Diadora, and later collaborative releases of ultra boosts and nmd.

Can I name 5 specific couples that started it all? Probably not, but I will show you 5 pairs that I love, and contrary to popular belief, they are not Jordans and Dunks!

Diadora N900024 Kilates X Large Copito

Diadora released many significant collaborations in 2016. The one that stole my heart was the cooperation with the XLarge and 24 Kilates from Barcelona on the N9000 model.

It was inspired by the only albino gorilla named Copito, who died in 2003. The design of the shoe sports a combination of several materials such as suede, nubuck, kangaroo leather and reflective 3M material. Finally, horsehair, imitating gorilla hair, this material is on the back of the shoe. The whole thing dons a beige-grey-pink shade. All atop a white sole with a pink underside, all in all, it was amazing!

I was completely broke on the day this shoe was released. My friend Ania came to the rescue! As soon as the shop let me through for payment, she lent me money for the shoes!

KITH x adidas Consortium Ultra Boost Mid

The first-ever high version of the iconic running model from adidas, it was created after many RF trips to adidas’ headquarters in Herzogenaurach. The upper is woven with round with multi-coloured laces, all placed on top of a bright Boost foam sole.

Sadly, they were not available in Poland, and I knew I had to have them. My Instagram friend from the States (also a sneakerhead) was exactly the same size and got them at the KITH store and offered to trade for the PHARRELL X ADIDAS NMD “HUMAN RACE” RED. I did not hesitate for a moment.

Highsnobiety x Adidas ultraboost

Made in collaboration with one of my favourite online magazines. I won these shoes in the Instagram raffle, and I was very surprised when Highsnobiety told me I had actually won them!
Mega comfortable, light and airy. At that point in time, the grey ultra boosts were my favourite! And they still are today.

SneakerFreaker x Packer x Puma Blaze of Glory “Bloodbath”

The Puma owes its greatest sneaker successes in recent years to collaborations with the Australian magazine, SneakerFreaker. This iconic Blaze Of Glory edition features on the wish lists of many sneakerheads. “Bloodbath” is one of the most popular releases recently, with deep maroon tones and blue detailing across the midsole. I remember how much I wanted them after seeing them on the feet of many US sneakerheads. I drew them in one of the European sneaker stores exactly one month later but in a special box! 🙂

Naked x Asics Gel Lyte V “Hafnia”

I have the best memories of this sneaker. Why? I think it was probably something to do with waiting a few days in front of the store and sleeping on the street. I met wonderful people with whom I am still in touch today.
The project was created in cooperation with one of the Copenhagen sneaker stores, and Hafnia means Copenhagen, in Latin. The shoe colours refer to the Danish sunset, late evening and copper-coloured roofs. And this was the atmosphere we had while waiting for their release back in 2015.