If you have a passion for collecting rare or exclusive footwear, you're probably all too familiar with catching yourself developing some strong emotional ties for certain pairs from your collection.
In the monthly Kickin' the Door Blog series, we welcome fellow Rotterdam-based sneaker aficionados and footwear connoisseurs to share the Top 3 sneakers from their collection and let us in on the stories that make them so special.
TOMISLAV PRASTALO AKA "TOM COFFEE + PAPER GOODS"
Known and loved by anyone who enjoys a hearty coffee or homemade pastries, Tom Coffee + Paper Goods has been the hidden gem located in scenic Rotterdam Noord right by the Rotte river. For the 16th episode of Kickin' the Door, we sat down with owner Tom Prastalo who talked us through his passion for sneakers with the iconic 3 stripes and even managed to narrow down his Top 3. For the full experience, we highly recommend reading the interview below with a hot cup of coffee from Tom's paired with a slice of his homemade Banana bread on a bench by the Rotte, right by his Cafe!
We are curious - What are Tom's Top 3 sneakers from his collection and more importantly, what are the stories behind them?
#3
ADIDAS SPZL NEW YORK "CARLOS"
(Released in 2015)
#2
ADIDAS SPZL GT "MANCHESTER"
(Released in 2016)
Simply put, this shoe has one of the most beautiful color combinations ever. Enough said. The contrast of the light blue upper with the burnt red of the stripes and heel is pretty strong but just works amazingly. Although I found the first edition, which originally released in 2002, some time ago online, I wasn't really into collecting shoes back then so I passed on the pair. Later on, I discovered the 2016 re-release on a French website and had to get them the second time around. A newer release but even better if you ask me.
#1
ADIDAS x KAZUKI KURAISHI ZX750 "IAN BROWN"
(Released in 2011)
This collaboration between adidas and Kazuki Kuraishi is the very first pair of my collection. It's the shoe that started everything for me. There is no longwinded cheesy story behind this one. Being a huge fan of Stone Roses and the Manchester casual scene, I immediately fell in love with this shoe. I picked this one up at an outlet store.
HONORABLE MENTION
ADIDAS SPZL "KIRKDALE"
(Released in 2015)
Another adidas SPZL release with a really cool terrace culture background story. Kirkdale is an area in Liverpool that is home to a lot of the local, mostly Everton, football fans. The white and dark blue color choices acknowledge the part that Merseyside football fans played in the rise of the UK trainer and streetwear scene. The original release was also pretty special, since the pair launched exclusively at a Liverpool-based trainer festival called "Laces Out".
"It's the shoe that started everything for me. There is no longwinded cheesy story behind this one.
Being a huge fan of Stone Roses and the Manchester casual scene, I immediately fell in love with this shoe. "
CLICK HERE FOR THE PREVIOUS KICKIN THE DOOR WITH STUDENT AND FULL-TIME HUSTLER ZOË YENTL!
