The recent Sneaker Con Southeast Asia wasn’t just about resales, giveaways, and flips. Held from March 22-23 at Marina Bay Sands, the event also had the crowd buzzing with killer kicks. We caught up with some stylish attendees for a closer look and a chat about their sneakers. Scroll for more.
Name: Keris Lim
Age: 21
Occupation: Marketing associate
The sneakers she’s wearing: Turbo Lite 'Copper Brown' by Old Order
The size of her sneaker collection: "Not that big, it’s about four pairs. They’re all just regular sneakers, though, so this pair would be my favourite."
The most special pair she owns: "The one I’m currently wearing! It’s a lightweight version of the brand's Turbo running shoes, maintaining the iconic 'O' shape logo on the side in the 'Copper Brown' colourway."
The most she would fork out for a pair of sneakers: "Below $300. Even if it was $299, I’d buy it if I genuinely fell in love with it."
The next models she’s eyeing: "There are two on my radar: the New Balance 1906L Loafer in suede, specifically in ‘Rich Oak,’ and the Puma Kugelblitz in either ‘Black’ or ‘Brown’ – though, truth be told, I’d be happy with any archive Puma piece."
Name: Zar Paing
Age: 22
Occupation: Tattoo apprentice
The sneakers he’s wearing: Nike SB x Air Jordan 4 'Pine Green'
The size of his sneaker collection: "Not super big, I try to save my money and really just buy the pairs I’ve been eyeing for quite some time."
The most special pair he owns: "It would be the shoes I have on – the Jordan 4s – as they were a gift from my dad."
The most he would fork out for a pair of sneakers: "About $350 to $400"
The next models he’s eyeing: "I really want the Adidas Tobacco Gruen in the 'Dark Brown' colourway."
Name: Jesslyn Lim
Age: Prefers not to say
Occupation: Production artist
The sneakers she's wearing: Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG by NIke
The size of her sneaker collection: "It's not big; I like to keep it simple."
The most special pair she owns: "Asics SportStyle Gel-Kayano 14 ‘Monsoon Patrol’ Black (a collaboration with sneaker concept store Limited Edt and Mr. Sabotage). They're comfortable."
The most she would fork out for a pair of sneakers: "It depends on how durable or comfortable the shoe is; I'm willing to pay whatever the amount."
The next models she’s eyeing: "So far, I haven't found any yet; still looking."
Name: Kenrick Ho
Age: 34
Occupation: Ship operator
The sneakers he’s wearing: Air Max 95 'Cargo Khaki Reflective' by Nike
The size of his sneaker collection: "About a small, modest collection of 20 pairs."
The most special pair he owns: "Nike SB Dunk Low x 'SBTG' 2006 (released in August 2006 – it is considered one of the earliest Nike SB designs to be created by a customiser, in this case the Singaporean Mark 'Sabotage' Ong)."
The most he would fork out for a pair of sneakers: "To be honest, I’ll go all out for those leng pairs I like."
The next models he’s eyeing: "The upcoming Nike Air Max 95 x Corteiz 'Tour Yellow'"
Name: Rya Subarman
Age: 26
Occupation: Marketing communications and content specialist
The sneakers she’s wearing: Nike x Stussy LD-1000 'Sanded Gold'
The size of her sneaker collection: "Not very big – only about eight pairs. I have one pair in each common colour – blue, green, brown, and white – so it’s easier to mix and match with my outfits."
The most special pair she owns: "The New Balance 2002R 'Lunar New Year Protection Pack' is my favourite because it’s in my favourite colour."
The most she would fork out for a pair of sneakers: "About $700, which is the price of the Asics x Cecilie Bahnsen GT-2160 Mary Jane 'Pure Silver'."
The next models she’s eyeing: "It’s the latest Adidas x Sporty & Rich Handball Spezial ‘Night Indigo,’ and guess what? I just bought it!"
Name: Brian Lau
Age: 34
Occupation: Partner at a fund management company
The sneakers he’s wearing: Air Jordan 1 High OG Dior by Dior
The size of his sneaker collection: "About 10 to 20 pairs."
The most special pair he owns: "To be honest, I'm not a sneakerhead and was there as part of the organising team for Sneaker Con."
The most he would fork out for a pair of sneakers: "All the shoes I purchased are at retail price; I won’t buy at reseller prices."
The next models he’s eyeing: "Nothing really."
Name: Edwina Fong
Age: 26
Occupation: Graphic designer
The sneakers she’s wearing: Sneaker sandals by Muji
The size of her sneaker collection: "I don't have a big sneaker collection since I buy them for comfort, and only if the design is unique and nice."
The most special pair she owns: "My most special pair would probably be the Nike Air Force 1 Jester since it was bought with my first part-time pay."
The most she would fork out for a pair of sneakers: "The max I would drop is around $300."
The next models she’s eyeing: "I'm not sure if it's considered a sneaker, but I would like to have a pair from Grounds, a Japanese shoe brand."
Name: Wesley Tan
Age: 29
Occupation: Retail design and visual merchandiser
The sneakers he’s wearing: Margiela GATs (Something really cool about them is that these beaters were resoled and hand-stitched by Klingsmen 'Klins' Lee, a 'shoe doctor' from the repair brand Classified.)
The size of his sneaker collection: "It's big enough to fill up one cabinet, and I really need to send the shoes for cleaning or repair services. It's just too much for me to handle."
The most special pair he owns: "Margiela Tabi sneakers! Because they can grip a pencil between the toes."
The most he would fork out for a pair of sneakers: "It really depends. I’m all for a good deal. Off the top of my head, I’ve spent around $180 on a beaten-up pair of Visvim Christos... but I got Klins to resole and revive them."
The next models he’s eyeing: "Nothing more! I just want to revive whatever I have currently. Resole and restitch them so they’re more personalised."
Name: Joy Sim
Age: 29
Occupation: Client success manager
The sneakers she’s wearing: Air Force 1 '07 WB by Nike
The size of her sneaker collection: "I own about 10 pairs for now."
The most special pair she owns: "Handball Spezial 'Orange Collegiate Navy' by Adidas"
The most she would fork out for a pair of sneakers: "$800"
The next models she’s eyeing: "Zion Williamson x Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG 'Voodoo'"
Name: Taro Hamada
Age: 40
Occupation: Store manager
The sneakers he’s wearing: II 'Yamabuki' by Areth
The size of his sneaker collection: "I've only been wearing this brand for 20 years as I'm sponsored by it, so I don't have a collection per se."
The most special pair he owns: "The II model by Areth (a cult Japanese sneaker brand founded in 2001.)"
The most he would fork out for a pair of sneakers: "I've never paid for sneakers as I am sponsored by Areth."
The next models he’s eyeing: "Most likely, I would get the same model in different colours next. (The model has more than 30 colourways)."
Name: Cherisse Peterson
Age: 29
Occupation: Sales manager
The sneakers she’s wearing: Dunk Low LX Lunar New Year Collection by Nike
The size of her sneaker collection: "Small collection, but with some exclusive pairs like my Blossoms and Travis Scott Reverse Olives. I only started collecting, so I have 10 pairs now. I’m mainly influenced by my boyfriend, as he’s a huge sneakerhead with about 400 pairs."
The most special pairs she owns: "Travis Scott x Air Jordan Air 1 Low OG SP 'Olive' and Nike SB Dunk Low Pro x Powerpuff Girls 'Blossom'"
The most she would fork out for a pair of sneakers: "$500"
The next models she’s eyeing: Nike SB Dunk Low Futura Laboratories 'Sunblush’ F&F
Name: Ashnee Poopathy
Age: 31
Occupation: Finance manager
The sneakers she’s wearing: The Roger Advantage by On
The size of her sneaker collection: "Around 20 pairs"
The most special pair she owns: "Adidas Stan Smith Homer Simpson – it brought back memories of the meme where he slowly backs into the bushes, along with the inside jokes I have with my friends."
The most she would fork out for a pair of sneakers: "Around $250"
The next models she’s eyeing: "Speedcat Ballet by Puma"