The Complex Sneakers Podcast

By ComplexSociety & Culture

The Complex Sneakers Podcast episodes

March 29, 2024 Ian Ginoza on Making Sneaker Magic With Virgil Abloh, Huf, and Nike
Ian Ginoza has worked in sneakers for decades, playing a part in collaborative projects with the likes of Drake, Tom Sachs, Beyonce, Ye, Frank Ocean, and more. He started the Honolulu sneaker store Kicks HI, then did stints at Converse, Nike and Adidas. Now, he’s the global vice president and creative director of pinnacle product at Vans. Ginoza has mostly worked in the background, opting to let his work speak for itself. Here, he tells the story of his life in the industry and how he ended up at Vans. Also, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss Bode x Nike Astro Grabbers and try not to discuss the Air Max Dn. The episode is a monumental one, the 200th overall episode of the Complex Sneakers Show in all its forms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 4 min
March 22, 2024 Kerwin Frost Talks Adidas, McDonald's, and Post Malone
Kerwin Frost—designer, wearer of big fits, talk show host—has worn many hats in the streetwear industry. Here, he talks about the realities of signing with a big brand like Adidas, making footwear with McDonald’s, and Post Malone’s total lack of footwear. Frost also gives his perspective on the many collaborators he’s seen go through Adidas, from Jonah Hill to Jerry Lorenzo. At the top of the episode, hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Wetly discuss Lil Nas X’s absurd half marathon sneakers, Nike’s Bape lawsuit, and Adidas trying to sign Taylor Swift.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 13 min
March 15, 2024 The Problem With Military Blue Air Jordan 4s
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 14 min
March 08, 2024 Stop Hating on the Panda Dunk
Love it or hate it, the Nike Dunk Low “Panda,” the black and white colorway you’ve seen everywhere every day for the past three years, isn’t going anywhere. In this episode, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Wetly discuss the positives and negatives of the unavoidable sneaker, and react to Welty’s claim that it’s the most influential sneaker of the past five years. The group also discuss the ethics of sneaker mockups, Ben Affleck’s latest Dunk moment, and those questionable Off-White basketball sneakers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 15 min
February 23, 2024 Did Donald Trump Destroy Sneaker Culture?
In one of the most bizarre moments in the history of sneakers, former President Donald Trump popped up at Sneaker Con last weekend to sell a gold pair of $399 sneakers called the Never Surrender High Tops. Is it a low point for sneaker culture? Is it the end of sneaker culture as we know it? Here, the co-hosts discuss Trump’s Sneaker Con appearance and new line of footwear, Biden’s response, and the generally gross idea of politicians hopping into sneakers in order to pander to voters. Also, Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk about Central Cee’s Nike collaboration, Anthony Edwards’ Adidas signature model, and the Nike KD 4 “Galaxy” retro.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 13 min
February 16, 2024 Is Nike Falling Off?
Nike is still the biggest brand in sneakers by a large margin, but it feels like the Swoosh has slowed down a little in the past couple years. Where are the exciting new products? How long can Nike rely on retro? Co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss these topics in response to a recent Business of Fashion story about Nike’s sluggish business. The trio also leak some upcoming sneakers (from Corteiz, Kobe, and Stash), dig into Jay Z’s Reeboks from the Super Bowl, and pine for the coming Nike Air Tech Challenge 2 retro.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 16 min
February 09, 2024 Greg Selkoe on the Rise and Fall of Karmaloop
With the legacy of Karmaloop being a hot topic on social media in the past few weeks, we sit down with the company’s founder, Greg Selkoe. Selkoe tells never-before-heard stories about the company and also explains the highs and lows of running the streetwear juggernaut. Earlier in the episode co-hosts, Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty talk about Nike seizing $5 million in sneaker inventory from a Los Angeles-based warehouse.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 28 min
February 02, 2024 What Makes a Sneaker Classic?
There’s no denying the Nike Air Max 95 is a classic sneaker, but what about the Air Max 96? What about a pedestrian shoe like the Air Max 270, which is everywhere but not that loved by sneakerheads? What about the VaporMax? Co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss the merits and bounds of the term “classic” in sneakers in this episode. They also talk about the rumored Kobe x Nike SB collaboration, the Flyknit era of the 2010s, Chinese New year Air Force 1s, and how horrible bar lacing is. Also, Welty explains his Twitter getting hacked.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 4 min
January 26, 2024 Why Clot’s Edison Chen Left Nike For Adidas
Edison Chen is the co-founder of Clot, a streetwear brand that’s spent 20 years tying together the East and the West. Clot is best known in sneakers for its high-profile Nike collaborations, but that’s about to change. Last year, Chen and Clot started a new partnership with Adidas that promises to expand their sneaker empire by allowing Clot more resources and freedom to create. In this episode, Chen talks about leaving Nike, signing with Adidas, and the bygone era of lining up for sneakers. Also, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty recap some Nike Book 1 drama on social media.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 5 min
January 19, 2024 Are the Reimagined 'Bred' Air Jordan 4s Any Good?
Is it too early to start talking about the best sneakers of 2024? Absolutely, but that hasn’t stopped people from throwing around that distinction for the “Bred” Air Jordan 4 reimagined, which changes up a classic with a leather makeover. In their comeback episode, co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss the merits of the latest Jordan 4 retro. They also break down the hot year New Balance is already having, the lukewarm reaction to Devin Booker’s first Nike shoe, and the continued proliferation of fake sneakers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 4 min

About The Complex Sneakers Podcast

From the publisher's feed

On The Complex Sneakers Podcast. Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Upscale Vandal discuss the most important sneaker news and topics every week, and give their expert opinions that can only be…