The DC Obsession

Branding is not something I consider to be majorly important when I buy my sneaks. It just so happens that they are almost always skate brands. This is generally down to comfort and style, and whether or not they catch my eye!

DC's have been ever present

in my shoe collection, their styles range from simple monochrome patterns, to clashing neon's and sparkling metallics! I think the key to their success is diversity and simplicity, they do a shoe for everybody!

DC's have become more popular in recent years, for me this can only be a good thing. When I first started rocking skates there weren't many shops that sold them so I'd find a load of kids I knew would have the same kicks!

This was a disaster, as anyone knows it's totally embarrassing walking into a room to find someone else wearing the same gear! However as time went on DC's seemed to be popping up everywhere, but this time they were appearing in more shops, each having different styles!

This was brilliant, the chance of being shown up by some teeny bopper trying to look cool had decreased dramatically and I was free to buy my shoes without fear!

Ever since then DC's have been a safe buy, to this day I've owned at least 7 pairs and have 2 currently in my possession. Each other pair have regrettably been worn to death, but they've served me well and I've looked great every step of the way! :P

Photography Courtesy of Featurette, Sally_monster and BuddaMunx - Flickr)

Skaters and mexers

When I was 12 the skate park was my hangout. You know the age... too young to go to gigs but too old to be seen dead with your parents. So my friends and I would spend our days relaxing, soaking up sun and catching up with the skaters, oh and not forgetting the countless fully clothed swims in the sea! We had everything we could wish for, seaside, warm summer air, and fish and chips!

In the two years I spent hearing the 'clak-clak' of skaters falling off their boards or the sound of bmx-ers sliding along the grind bar I developed a love of all things skate and surf. Still do this day I love the urban style of the extreme lifestyle!

The first skate shoe I remember would have to be the Osiris D3. These were the biggest shoes ever, I used to catch my feet when I moved which forced me to walk with a gangster bowl!

These shoes are amazing! The massive lace holes which resemble something like a caterpillar, the air bubbles and the moulding of the sole flows and looks balanced. But by far the most memorable thing about these trainers was how comfortable they were. They were pretty much padded, which probably explains why they're so big. The tongue was ultra padded, I came to the conclusion it must be so skaters aren't damaged by their boards when they stack.

Although I didn't skate, deciding to sit on the 3ft did create the problem of being hit by flying limbs or boards. I can safely say these shoes did protect my feet from being hurt, although my shins did suffer the consequences in the end.

Since my days hanging out at the park my preference has branched towards more fashionable styles with prints and different materials. But the D3's were perfect for me back then, and ever since my shoes have been chunky.

These shoes along with the experience is what sparked my love for skate shoes.

(Photography courtesy of Emily Stuff & Kikfoto - Flickr)

Story of my first sneaks...

It all started when I was about 11, I was just starting secondary school. My mum took me to buy a pair of trainers for P.E, what I didn't know then was how a pair of footwear could start what is now a blazing obsession for shoes.

The minute I saw the Adidas Superstar shell toes which would later be in my possession, I knew I wanted them. This particular pair of sneaks are recognised worldwide and I loved them. They revolutionised the way I thought about shoes.

My mum always told me that you can tell a lot a

bout someone from their shoes; how well off they are, how well they look after them, and of course a persons style will often be shown through their footwear.

For me my trainers have always been a symbol for what I'm about. When I started year 7 in a big scary place that seemed so alien, my superstars were a comfort blanket, so much so that I continually got into trouble for wearing them!

School uniform was always a problem for me, I just didn't see the point in conforming. As far as i could see, I was an individual, with individual style and I wanted to express myself! I think this may be where my passion for trainers was inflamed.

When I buy a pair of shoes now my choice of sneaks can be somewhat eclectic, I love designs that are a bit different and materials that scream colour and fun. There's no single style or brand I favour because it's the style, form and design that I buy into not the label. They simply must be comfortable and beautiful!

(Photography courtesy of Shaun Wong and Rodrigo Senna-Flickr)