It’s that time once again, time for 5Q’s & 5A’s! This month we are doing things a little differently. As you may (or may not) know, October is Black History Month. Here on the KLEKTIVE, we wanted to highlight and educate you on the talent we have in-house, within Team KLEKT and beyond.
Black culture and sneaker culture are perfectly intertwined. Built on years of influence from the sporting, music and fashion industries. One simply cannot exist without the other.
Today we are delving into our own ranks here at KLEKT HQ and interviewing the one and only Lynnie Zonzolo @ellesneaks. As part of the furniture, Lynnie has been working with KLEKT and Presented By for over four years providing non-stop style inspo. Every. Single. Day. (the girl does not take a day off!) Our go-to for all things influencer Lynnie is perhaps one of the best-connected people we know! We got the pleasure to find out a little more about what kicked off her passion for sneakers, where she finds inspiration and what Black History Month means to her. Without further ado. Let’s get started!
Hi Lynnie, so great to have you here! Tell us a little about yourself?
What’s up guys, I go by the name Lynnie aka Elle Sneaks (@ellesneaks), 27 from South West London. I dabble in everything: sneakers, streetwear, and presenting.
I consider myself to be a super cool person too..
How did your passion for sneakers start?
It started at my grandads house, my siblings and I would stay there over the weekends and my uncle had the most insane lineup of Nike Uptempos, Patrick Ewings and Jordans. I’d never seen anything more beautiful in my life, this honestly excited me more than playing with Barbies and Bratz Dollz. When I knew my uncle was out of the house, I would run upstairs and put my small size 3 feet at the time in his size 11 sneakers and feel like I was the coolest girl in the world. They didn’t fit me of course, but I instantly knew that sneakers gave me the exact excitement my sisters had when wearing my mum’s heels or handbags LOL! It was up from there
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month is a time for us to celebrate our culture and heritage.
Black History Month is a time to celebrate the past, present and future of the history of black people.
Black History Month is a time to acknowledge the success and achievements of black people, a month to pay homage and say thank you to the black individuals that have impacted and shaped the world today.
Black History Month is not just about our struggle.
Black History Month is a time where black people can be more unified and loudly…yes LOUDLY celebrate us, each other, our culture.
Black History Month is all 12 months for me.
Black History Month is Black Excellence, period.
Who has had the greatest influence on your passion for sneakers and streetwear?
I struggled to see girls who preferred wearing Nike’s over ballerina shoes like me. So it was super difficult for me as a young kid to see inspiration or influence. My sense of style developed organically, BUT as time went on, I became obsessed with Hip-Hop and R&B and listened to the likes of Missy Elliot, TLC and Aaliyah just to name a few. For me it really was a “This is IT!” moment. They were my new influence, they made me feel cool and comfortable. Today in the present time, Teyana Taylor is my greatest influence.
