ITS: Nathan (@thetrainerentertainer)
What is your favourite sneaker memory?
My favourite sneaker memory would have to be when I purchased my first pair of trainers. My parents always had enough, but sneakers wasn’t the first thing that came to their mind, in terms of treating me. I always had that passion so when I saved up some money, that was always my goal. I remember it like it was yesterday. Let me set the scene: A Tuesday April morning, waiting outside the JD Sports in Wood Green. The excitement on my face, the eagerness to get in and have a gander. I didn’t have much, but back then, I knew it was enough. Funnily enough, I still own the pair now. It was a red, black and white Adidas sneaker (I can’t remember the name of the silhouette), but it is a pair I have worn over and over again, and I will never get rid of it.
What is your 'Grail' sneaker and why?
My ‘Grail’ sneaker has changed over time. My definition of ‘grail’ is something I have had my eye on for long time, but just waiting for that right moment. As of today, it has surpassed the 5 year mark since I have been chasing this pair. Everything about it screams a “Nathan” pair. The colours, the materials, the merging of silhouettes, just everything. This pair is…. Nike Air Max 1/97 Sean Wotherspoon. Need I say more about this pair? Just one look and you’d understand why I’ve been chasing these for over 5 years.
Where do you live and what is 'Sneaker Culture' like there?
I’m currently based in Ilford. I’d like to say it is part of Essex, but many people wouldn’t let me get away with that. To not be pedantic, it is in the East of London. I live here with my partner and my newborn, but I originally grew up in Tottenham, North London which is like a 20 minute drive from my current location. I lived in Tottenham for 25 years of my life and this is “home”. I can only describe what sneaker culture is like in Tottenham. Tottenham is one of the main reasons why I’m into the sneaker and streetwear culture. From baggy vintage tracksuits to 110s to Avirex jackets to all white Air Force 1s, this is what I grew up around. I have 4 older brothers and they did influence my sneaker and streetwear mindset that I have today. We are slowly seeing this style being integrated into the culture now, if we haven’t already.
What does community mean to you?
Community means everything to me. Like I said earlier, my parents had enough so I was fortunate and blessed to be in the position I was in. Unfortunately, I couldn’t say the same for everyone with my community. Giving back is more than just dropping off a few pair of clothes and/or sneakers and going about my day. It’s more about building relationships, having difficult conversations and also, inspiring a generation. One goal of mine is to be able to grow my platform to a place where I can go back to where I was raised, and help those that ‘deserve’ more. For myself building my platform, it is honestly bigger than me. I want to look back at the end of my journey and say that I have helped. Even if this is one person, I’d leave with a smile on my face.
What do you enjoy aside sneakers?
Sneakers is obviously my biggest passion but that’s just one facet. 1. I love football. A big, big Liverpool fan but I mostly enjoy playing the sport. I was half decent at it, and I was once scouted for Borehamwood but I moved on to something more realistic as I was scouted very late, and my body wasn’t in a fit state for me to carry this on. We honestly do need a sneaker 5-a-side tournament, maybe a SneakerSpott event?? 2. I’m a legal man at heart. After. Moving onto pastures new and not taking the football path seriously, I decided that I’d take college seriously and there’s where I decided to pursue a career in law. I went on to graduate in 2016 and I’m currently working in a field, similar to what I studied. This is nothing exciting, just reading all day! 3. Creativity. Another thing I like to do is write. When I get my pen to paper, or nowadays, fingers to screen, I can become quite the fantasist. I love to create short stories, and let my imagination run wild. Being a screenwriter is another thing I’ve explored and I’ll continue to explore because with the plethora of ideas that I have stored in this brain of mine, I should put it to good use 4. Being a dad. I think this last one speaks for itself - The best job in the world ♥️