Sneakerheads
Local artists and entrepreneurs step up sneaker culture in the Triangle
ost fashion trends tend to be cyclical, with recurring fads coming in and out of style over seasons and throughout decades. The sneakerhead craze, however, isn’t merely a trend; it’s a culture.
Fashion and music have always been interconnected, and with the hip-hop revolution striking in the mid-1980s at the same time Michael Jordan’s NBA basketball career reached its pinnacle, sports and athletes jumped into the mix. Enter the hype of the sneaker and emergence of the sneakerhead, where fashion, music and sports became as interwoven as the
threads on a pair of Air Jordan shoelaces.
Back in the day, sneaker fanatics camped outside a store to be the first person to lay hands on a new release. Nowadays, enthusiasts try their luck at purchasing shoes online — although the most popular pairs sell out within seconds. Undoubtedly, while online shopping makes the art of the hunt easier, nothing beats the feeling of walking into a shoe store, surrounded by fellow sneakerheads, to see the shoes in person. Local sneaker shoppers are fortunate that Raleigh offers several stores selling the latest styles with a uniquely customized spin.
Michael Phillips considers himself an artist first, sneaker aficionado second — so the current sneakerhead trend of customizing shoes suits him perfectly. The Broughton High School graduate has sketched shoes for as long as he can remember. “I was on the shoe wave before other people thought it was cool,” he says.
Phillips turned his hobby into a business called Sircastleteees, initially marketing his products on Instagram in 2013, then opening a store on Raleigh’s West South Street the following year. Social media made it possible for Phillips to become known worldwide, while also cultivating his relationship with the
local community. “It’s a balancing act to have an online presence while also maintaining an in-store experience,” he says.
With the help of artists Chris “DK” Batts and Ed Peebles, Phillips takes a pair of shoes and turns them into unique creations for NFL and NBA players, as well as for local university athletic programs. From hydro dipping and color-changing to hand-painting and airbrushing, customizing sneakers is the newest way sneakerheads can stay on trend and show off their personalities. For those seeking the latest drop, a vintage pair or a personalized masterpiece, Sircastleteees is a laid-back place to gather and talk kicks. Learn more at sircastleteees.com.
Terry “TJ” Mangum has been buying and selling shoes as a “side hustle” since he was a student at Middle Creek High School. Now the 20-year-old entrepreneur owns One of One Boutique, located near Shaw University, with his cousin, Christopher Judd, and friend, Dawitt Ferew. “Being so close to Shaw, we get students coming in every afternoon to check out what’s new,” Judd says. “The process of getting your hands on a pair of shoes has changed a lot since I was young, but real ‘shoe people’ still want to come and see
them in person.”
Though primarily a sneaker business, One of One also welcomes local fashion designers to set up shop in the store. Athens Drive High School student Ali Rahman, for example, designs and makes reconstructed patchwork clothing under the brand name Assembled with Caution, then sells the clothing at One of One. Giving a platform for local up-and-comers is important to Judd, who believes it only takes one helping hand to make a difference in a young person’s life. Learn more at oneofone919.com.
At just 12 years old, Corey Kinard Jr. is an artist, designer, and business owner of custom shirt and shoe company Deuxce Dogg Brand. “When the pandemic hit, I realized that I had a lot of time and wanted to do something creative,” Kinard says. “I love money and art, so combining the two is great.”
Named after Corey’s nickname, “Deuce,” Deuce Dogg Brand is a testament to the young entrepreneur’s talent and offers a glimpse of what the next generation of sneakerheads is capable of. “Shoes and art are my way of letting people know who I am,” he says. Learn more at deucedogg.com.
M
MICHAEL PHILLIPS is OWNER OF SIRCASTLETEEES.
Chris “DK” BattsMICHAEL PHILLIPSEd Peebles
Christopher Judd (left), Terry “TJ” Mangum (right) and Dawitt Ferew (not pictured) own One of One Boutique.
Corey Kinard Jr., age 12, is the owner of Deuce Dog Brand.
