Kayne Gangano - Filipino Sneakerhead Interview

What was the moment you first got drawn to sneakers, and which pair of sneakers triggered your passion?

I am a kid from the 90s - reading magazines, watching television (sports), commercials, and basketball docus through VHS or CDs is always a thing for us. Growing up, we don't have social media back then. I still remember when I got a pair of AJ1s as a present from my old man, I beat that pair like there was no tomorrow, and I even played ball with it on a gravel court.

The nostalgic feeling always draws me to buy a pair of sneakers, especially the retros, that feeling whenever you lace up Jordans and whisper "be like Mike." Well, Jordan 1s has always been the pair I wanted to collect. Even though it is not the most comfortable shoe, the versatility of that silhouette is endless. You can wear it to any event, my wife and I even wore Jordans at our wedding.

I have lived in three different countries, but my passion for collecting sneakers is always there. When I moved from Singapore to the UK and boxed up my sneaker collection, I paid almost S$2500 just to ship all of my pairs, LOL. That is an Off-White Jordan 1 UNC price point.

What’s one moment or trend in the history of sneaker culture that resonates with you?

I remember when Kanye announced that he is leaving Nike and moving to Adidas. That time, I was collecting white sneakers from Stan Smiths, Superstars, Air Force 1s, Prestos, and Converse. I started styling my outfits with those pairs, then saw a picture of Kanye wearing a white on white Adidas sneakers. I don't have any idea what are those, but the sneakerhead urge in me made me want to find and buy my pair of that silhouette (Triple White Ultraboost). I eventually copped a pair for myself, and the moment I tried the sneakers on, I realized that boost is definitely greater than Air, LOL, which then made me buy more Adidas than Nike.

So I started buying boost sneakers to rock work and daily activities. Then, Yeezy x Adidas dropped, which made the sneaker community go crazy. Before that, you only could see a long queue in a store whenever there was a retro Jordan release. But at that time, people started camping outside the Adidas store for a pair of GR Ultraboost and Yeezy.

I work in a hospital, so wearing comfy shoes is always needed to survive the long working hours. You cannot wear Jordan 1s in a full 12-hour shift, that's a fact, and up until now, I am only wearing Ultraboosts and Crocs (*a must*) for work.

Please describe how it feels to you when you get and wear a new pair of kicks?

It always feels surreal whenever I get the pair I have liked for a long time, from the zoot sound of the Yeezy box to the Air Jordan smell test. Those are the most satisfying part of buying fresh sneakers and, of course, nostalgia always hits me whenever I unbox a pair of sneakers. The feeling is like waking up on Christmas day to open your presents.

I don't just wear my sneakers; I "enjoy" wearing them, LOL. Life is too short to just wear them, enjoy them while you can beat them, even the most expensive pair you got.

What are some of your favorite creators/designers or brands and why?

There are a lot of brands to choose from, but I am now building my wardrobe from a British luxury brand @representclo. I love the brand because anything you can buy on their site/shop has perfect quality, fit, color, and prints. The price point is a bit high compared to other brands, but you're buying apparel that can last for a lifetime. Building your essentials with this brand will elevate your style from hoodies, sweatshirts, tees, pants, and outerwear.

Some of the brands and creators I follow are @summituk, @dsrcv, @mnml.la, @fearofgod, @ad_sneaks, @djbigboycheng, @ldn2hk, @itssolegoodph, and @carlkho.

What is one sneaker collaboration that doesn’t exist, but you wish/think should exist?

Kobe Bryant x Virgil Abloh is always in my mind whenever I think of collaborations. Imagine these two icons with a deconstructed Kobe sneaker silhouette or "Mamba" apparel, that would be dope. #legends

What are some of the current pairs of sneakers in your rotation?

I always match my rotation with the season, so now that it's autumn, my browns, oranges, and creams are in use. ALD New Balance 550, Off-White Jordan 4, Travis Scott Jordan 1 High, Curry Nike Dunk Low, Patta Airmax 1, Rain Cloud New Balance 2002r, and Dark Mocha Jordan 1 High are the pairs I currently wear.

What is your ultimate holy grail sneaker that you have not managed to acquire so far?

I have a lot of grail that I do want to add to my collection. To name a few, they are the Air Yeezy 2 Red Octobers, Off-White Jordan 1 Chicago, and UNC Jordan PEs.

But, if we are talking about the ultimate grail; it will always be the Jordan 1 Bred 85s - the shoe that started it all. That is the ultimate nostalgia if I were able to cop a box of fresh DS pairs. Imagine letting that iconic pair sit for years and not even using it, I can't even sit a new copped pair for one week, LOL.

Other than kicks, what are some of your daily essentials or treasured items?

My daily essentials are my hoodie collection, that's why my IG feed is overflowing with me wearing a hoodie. I am currently living here in the UK, so anything that can help beat the cold is essential. I am a cozy guy, so it's the comfort for me over the hype. Hoodies and sweatpants are must-wear daily essentials.

Where can people find you on social media?  

Instagram: @keinkoy_

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