NDP: Unless you have an 8th, 9th and 10th shoe, which I’m sure you do, one of the things I noticed was that you didn’t have a basketball model in your rotation. As you moved from Originals to Basketball, would you say your style has stayed the same, or are you starting to venture out and kick around some hoops stuff?
BF: I like Dame’s first shoe, and the problem with my position, is that I’m privy to what we’re about to do. [laughs] Dame’s second shoe is looking fantastic, and we’re going to do some stuff with John [Wall] that I’m super proud of. Because of how small this city is, I can’t really wear that stuff outside of work. I’m excited for that change, and I think there’s going to be some big things to talk about in that space for adidas Basketball really soon. You got a taste of it with Lowry and with Wiggins at All-Star Weekend. That Crazy Light Low is a real good shoe, and the Mid of it is even more visually compelling. Everyone should be seeing that soon. Right now, I’ve been getting a lot of shit for not wearing Basketball product as regularly, but being that I’m not the tallest individual on the planet, I don’t know that I’ve ever worn a lot of Highs and Mids anyways. [laughs] I’m excited for what we’re about to do, and I think my Top 10 will be changing in the near future when some of that new stuff does hit the streets.
NDP: In the last two to three years, there’s been a lot of changes in style, with joggers coming into play – like these olive Sport Luxe pants that I’ve been wearing for the last month straight [laughs] –
BF: Nice compliment – I like it, I like it. [laughs]
NDP: How do you think that whole trend of people wearing joggers and more tapered pants has affected the footwear that people are wearing?
BF: There’s a couple of things going on. I think Lows and runners work better with anything that’s tapered and closer to the leg. I also think that innovation around the younger guys that are coming into the league, guys like Dame, that are physically that strong and want to play in a Low, it also plays into that style. If you look at what we did for our warmups in NYC, and what we’re going to do in Toronto, you can also see that influence. Our sport never exists without culture, and that’ll definitely work its way in. We always have a little bit of an advantage in that space, because the athletic pant has been a silhouette that we’ve owned for so long in global Soccer. I think it’s great, and it’s nice to see streetwear looking over to the brands that lead in that space, as opposed to the other way around.
NDP: More than anything, it’s super awesome that sweatpants are basically socially acceptable at all times now, so I’m a huge fan of that.
BF: I know! It’s like pajama day, every day of the week. [laughs]
NDP: Ok, I know you mentioned the Tubular, so that was a good pick, but another shoe that I’ve been loving that I have to mention is the Y3 Qasa Low. Man, that’s a good shoe. Even though it’s a slip on, it works in all settings and is awesome. The great thing about the Tubular and Qasa is that it also makes you like an inch and a half or two inches taller –
BF: Ok, ok. I see you’re now throwing shots back at me. [laughs] You had to wait the whole interview to come right back.
NDP: Definitely! [laughs] Thanks for sharing your 5, well, 7 I guess, and we’ll have to catch up another time to get your rotation again.
BF: For sure – thanks!
