Hello KLEKT fam! It’s Aleks here (@lvuys), 30, from Zurich, Switzerland. While my journey into the world of sneakers started later than most, my passion for visual art and photography has been a lifelong affair. Growing up surrounded by the scenic landscapes of Switzerland, my creative attraction naturally gravitated towards capturing moments through the lens. Little did I know that this passion for visuals would eventually converge with the vibrant and dynamic world of sneaker collecting.
How did your passion for sneakers start?
My love for sneakers started with a special person (@cztephan), he taught me a lot about the sneaker world back then. In return, I was able to share my knowledge of the camera with him. Everything started for me with the Diadora Intrepid Titolo Five Almonds, luckily for me, the Titolo store near us in Zurich was the one that had all the new models and collabs. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to buy the shoes locally, so I had to go on a hunt!
What was the first sneaker that caught your eye and why?
Along the way, I learned a lot about shoes, and of course, events like Sneakerness were a perfect place to get to know new impressions, ideas and people from this environment. But one very special shoe really caught my eye. The Nike x Sean Wotherspoon Air Max 97/1 was the one that got everything rolling for me. I was so enthusiastic about its history, shape and colours that shortly afterwards I had the urge to get creative myself. A few years later, I founded my own brand that values quality craftsmanship and history. @patikestore is a brand that produces leather goods by hand in Zurich and offers fashion that has emerged from the whole sneaker world. All these impressions and stories have led me to where I am today, and I want to share this with everyone. From the culture, for the culture!
