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Lebanese Sneakerhead and Luxury Bags Lover: Sara Alemeh

Interviews

Camille Lumogdang
July 18, 2022

Sara Alemeh @saraalemeh is a Lebanese shoeaholic who's currenly lives in UAE. Comes from a moderate family, own hundred of pair is such a big achievement for her. She's a big fan of Ye, Off White, and of course Nike!

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

I came from a relatively masculine and conservative culture where girls must dress and act a certain way. I had struggled to fit in for years. When I was 17, I got into the hip-hop culture were wearing oversized outfits or sneakers was considered against that culture. This was when my love for sneakers and streetwear started.

My first pair of sneakers was the Nike Air Max 1, and I just fell in love with this silhouette. I have been collecting sneakers since 2015, I started on a very small scale, and my first posted shoe on my page was the Nike Huarache.

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

It is when chunky shoes, or what is also known as daddy's sneakers - become hype. I fell in love with that trend, which resonated greatly with my style and body figure.

All images via saraalemeh

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

I came from a relatively moderate family in Lebanon, where owning a collection of sneakers was a dream. My parents managed to provide for all our basic needs but could not buy us multiple pairs of shoes. Moving to Dubai helped me to make this dream come true.

This might sound weird, but for me, my sneakers are my sense of achievement. I never thought there would be a day when I could own and collect more than ten pairs; today, my collection exceeds 95 kicks. Every time I buy a new sneaker, I feel happy and proud. I have found a place where I belong, a style that screams my personality.

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

I'm obsessed with Kanye with his Yeezys, Virgil Abloh with Off White x Nike Collabs, and Sacai x Nike. The result of all these collaborations is streamlined but luxurious and unique silhouettes that blend sports heritage with high-end craftsmanship. I also like Balenciaga sneakers and Demna Gvasalia's creative imagination. For some, they are very mainstream; but they are the ever-controversial super-chunky designs you will ever see!

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

I would have loved to see a day where Virgil Abloh would collaborate with Kanye or the Off White x Yeezy. Maybe this dream would never come true after losing such a legend. Sacai with Yeezy is also interesting.

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

I'm currently obsessed with Yeezy - all its models and colorways - 350, 700, and 500. You'll also see me wearing my Nike Air Maxs, Balenciaga "Track" (the chunkiest of them all), Sacai x Nike, and Off White x Nike pairs.

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

That is a million-dollar question. My list of must-have sneakers never finishes, and there is always "the one" sneaker that I must have on that list. But the ultimate holy grail sneaker that I have not managed to acquire so far is the Nike Air Max 1/97 'Sean Wotherspoon', or as I call it, the one that got away. I still remember the day it was released, March 24, 2018.

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

I have a nice collection of handbags. I started collecting designer bags in 2015. Now, I have more than 30 bags to date, but I slowed down as I realized how expensive this hobby was.

Where can people find you on social media?

Instagram: saraalemeh

Tiktok: saraalemeh

Do you have a sneaker collection that you wish to showcase or share with the world? Or maybe you have some hyped deadstock that you wish to sell. Join Ox Street as an early community member in our beta stage today and get $25 SGD off your first order (while discount slots last).

An engineer who loves writing in her spare time.