Khalisha-Armani Ashik - Australian Sneakerhead Interview

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

My history with sneakers goes way back to when my dad was in his teens. He was a Michael Jordan fan since day one, and when I was born, I played basketball for 12 years since I was 5. I only ever wore Jordans throughout my basketball career.

From the 100+ collections of Jordans we have acquired as a family, the Jordan 29s Carolina blues first struck my passion, and I was 13 then.

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

During the 1980s-1990s, the Chicago Bull colorways were banned from Jordan to wear in the NBA. Because they didn't comply with the colorways suitable for the NBA, he was fined $5000 every time he wore them.

However, what resonated with me is that between these years, people were being killed for his shoes. As Michael Jordan said,

"I never thought because of my endorsement of a shoe, or any product, that people would harm each other."

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

I feel complete; getting a shoe you have been waiting to get your hands on is always an amazing feeling. So it's always a great feeling to get new kicks.

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

Some of my favorite brands include MISBHV, Chrome Hearts, Dior, Off White, Riot Hill, and many more local brands in Perth.

Virgil was a favorite designer of mine, as his mindset was in 3038. He was rocking/designing with HBA, Pyrex, and working alongside Kanye. All the things that are trending now were from his artistic vision. He was and forever will be a trendsetter for the fashion culture, past, and present.

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

New Balance x Aime Leon Dore did a collab, but I would LOVE to see a Jordan 1 or 4 union with either Aime Leon Dore or Chrome Hearts.

If Virgil were still around, RIP to the goat, I would've loved to see a collaboration with Virgil x Supreme deconstruction, as skate culture was in his DNA.

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

At this moment, my rotation is New Balance 550, Air Jordan 1s all-white colorway, New Balance 608, and Naked Wolf boots. I mix and match my shoes with whatever fit I feel matches them too.

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

New Balance x Aimé Leon Dore collab (I cannot stress enough how much I need these), the Air Jordan 1s Dior collab, and the Mocha Travis Scott 1s are my grails.

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

My Dior bags, Travis Scott Fragment skull hoodie, a North Face Puffer, and Chrome Hearts accessories are my musts.

I also cannot leave the house without my Gucci jewelry. Fashion plays a big part in who I am because of my brothers and friends, so my treasured items/daily essentials are a huge part of who I am as a person who is passionate about fashion.

Lastly but not least, I'm super grateful for my agency/friends, such as Sageflicks and my friends who are upcoming creators that help me get my visions to fruition.

Where can people find you on social media?  

Instagram: @miss.helllcat

TikTok: hellcatt66.6