Jeff Staple joins Taboo’s Comics and Kicks to break down how the legendary Nike SB Pigeon Dunk helped reignite modern sneaker culture. From his priceless sneaker vault to the wild story behind fake Pigeon Dunks hanging from telephone wires, Staple shares the moments, controversies, and philosophies that helped shape sneaker history.

In this episode, legendary designer Jeff Staple sits down with Taboo to talk about the sneaker that changed everything—the Nike SB Pigeon Dunk. Staple dives into how the Dunk helped spark a new era of sneaker culture, streetwear hype, and collecting, while also sharing stories from his personal archive of more than 3,500 pairs of sneakers, including some of the rarest grails ever made. The conversation also explores the infamous telephone wire Dunk stunt, where fake Pigeon Dunks hung above city streets sparked debate across the sneaker community about authenticity, storytelling, and what truly gives a shoe its value.

Beyond the Pigeon Dunk story, Jeff and Taboo discuss the larger history of signature sneakers and athlete influence, including the impact of icons like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Bo Jackson, along with the evolution of Nike basketball shoes that defined generations of sneakerheads. Staple also reflects on his journey from early days working at The Fader magazine to building a global design brand and collaborating with companies like Nike, New Balance, Puma, and The North Face. Along the way, he shares insights on sneaker collecting, design philosophy, mentorship, and the cultural forces that turned sneakers from sports equipment into global symbols of identity, creativity, and storytelling.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices