Hi everyone, I’m Ariadna. I live in Barcelona, although one thing I know for sure is that my summers always end up in Gran Canaria; it’s basically a tradition by now.
I’ve loved sneakers since I was a kid. There was a time when I practically lived in Vans Authentics or Converse, always the same models, just in every colour imaginable. That was until the day I discovered the Nike Air Max 1, and everything else instantly took a back seat. That’s where it all started. My interest kept growing little by little, until my parents gifted me my first pair. They used to reward my school grades with the FC Barcelona t-shirts of that season, but that year I was certain: I wanted a pair of Air Max 1s.
From that moment on, things got more serious. A friend of mine was already deep into the sneaker world, especially Air Max 1s, so I started asking questions, learning, doing my research… and when I got my first paycheck, I took the final step: properly starting my collection.
Can you tell us about your Top 3 picks?
If I had to choose, my favourite pair is without a doubt my Air Max 1 Bespoke. It’s literally me in sneaker form. It's full of details that represent me: pastel tones (especially pink), zebra print, touches of brown, a bit of shine… even my name on the tongue.
I also wanted to take it a step further, so I designed custom bags for each sneaker, inspired by the Nike Air Max 1 Denham, which would be my 2nd pick. It’s funny because I can’t really explain exactly why I love them so much, but everything just works for me: the embroidery, the navy blue, the laces, the bags… every single detail adds up. Although if I had to point out one downside, the insole stains my socks… which isn’t exactly ideal, hahaha.
And to round out my top 3, I’d go with the Nike Air Max 1 Atmos Elephant. They have that same vibe I love: the animal print, the colour combination, the touch of blue on the swoosh and on top of that, the collaboration with Atmos makes them even more special.
This may be a bit controversial, but do you have a Bottom 3?
In no particular order, I’d say there are some pairs that I simply don’t like how they look on feet. For example, the Air Max 1 Big Bubble Black Denim, the Big Bubble Korea, or the Air Max 1 Jacquemus. In terms of colours and design, I do like them, but where they fall short for me is how they look when worn. At the end of the day, it’s very personal – there are sneakers I really like in photos, but not as much on foot.
Is there a pair you regret missing out on? 
Yes, I really regret not buying the Air Max 1 Friends & Family. I spent months negotiating that price with the owner, but in the end, we couldn’t reach an agreement. It wasn’t a bad price, but I had other priorities, and in the end, you can’t always have everything.
It’s one of those opportunities that comes once – and probably won’t come around again – so in that sense, it still stings a bit. Even so, I try to focus on the positive: I had the chance to have them in my hands, and just for that, I already feel lucky.
What’s your most anticipated drop of the year?
Honestly, as of today, I haven’t seen many upcoming Air Max 1 drops, which are the ones I’m really interested in. Still, the pink Travis Scott Jordan 1 Lows are dropping soon, and I’d love to have them, even if it’s just because of the colours, hahaha. Either way, I always try to stay on top of both new releases and older pairs I wasn’t able to get at the time.
What specifically draws you to the Air Max 1 over other designs?
What draws me most to the Air Max 1 is the overall silhouette. It’s versatile, simple, and has the perfect structure to play with materials and colours. I feel like years go by, and they never go out of style.
On top of that, the visible air unit gives them a lot of personality, while still being comfortable and easy to wear every day. For me, details are key, and the Air Max 1 always delivers on that: panels, textures, colour combinations and especially the collaborations they’ve released, which make me appreciate the model even more. At the end of the day, it’s a silhouette I genuinely connect with. No matter how many other models I see, I always come back to them.
In your opinion, which Air Max 1 is the most underrated?
In my opinion, a pretty underrated pair is the Air Max 1 ‘Dynamic Berry’. I’m not sure if it’s the colour combination or what exactly, but I think it’s a really well-executed sneaker, with a level of attention to detail that sometimes goes unnoticed.
When we spoke earlier, you mentioned the importance of highlighting that women collect sneakers, too. Do you feel the hobby/community is still too male-focused in 2026?
No, I think that nowadays women have carved out a place for ourselves in a culture that used to be mostly male-focused. It’s true that there are still more men than women in the industry, and also that some brands continue to release certain models only in men’s sizing.
In my case, for example, I wear a US 5, which means I miss out on a lot of pairs… and it’s not just about being able to buy them or not, it’s about not even having the chance to wear them. The same thing happens on the other end as well, with larger sizes. Even so, by 2026, I think we’ve made a lot of progress, but there’s still a long way to go.
Finally, what's your hot take on sneakers?
I think sneakers have evolved from being just a “functional product” into a form of personal expression. Nowadays, it’s not just about what you wear, but what you say with it: your taste, your style, even your story.
From an industry perspective, I feel like it’s at a really interesting point. On one hand, there’s a lot of creativity – collaborations, materials, storytelling – but on the other hand, there’s also a constant saturation of releases that sometimes makes that creativity lose a bit of its essence.
Trends come and go very quickly, but in the end, what really matters is finding what genuinely connects with you. In my case, for example, I always go back to the Air Max 1 because I know they fit my style and what I like, beyond the hype. So I’d say sneakers are much more than just fashion: they’re culture, identity, and a way of telling people who you are without having to say a word.
