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The four-part documentary series is a reminder that we live for the moments in our sneakers — not for the sneakers themselves.
Sneaker culture, especially in the modern age, has thrived off of exclusivity, hype, and the fear of missing out (FOMO). While that has served as a conversation starter and a needle mover within the last few years, the inherited and undeniable soul of sneaker culture lies within the stores.
The sole stories.
Octavius A. Newman‘s “Sole Stories” reflects on what gives sneaker culture its vibrant heartbeat that has turned a passion into a billion-dollar industry: the stories.
Composed of four different episodes featuring diverse members of the sneaker community, “Sole Stories” goes beyond the hype, the resale value, and the aesthetic.
Rather, Newman’s approach is about capturing the story that gives each shoe life.
We spoke with Newman, the director & producer of “Sole Stories” about the inspiration behind the series, his own sole story, and the legacy he wishes the franchise to instill.
Read the interview with Newman below.
Snkrs Day: How did “Sole Stories” begin? What was the inspiration for the docu-series?
Octavius A. Newman: “Sole Stories” is a four-part documentary series that is spotlighting sneaker enthusiasts and the personal stories behind their favorite pair of sneakers.
I’ve always been a sneakerhead. But I haven’t always had the money to get everything. The aspect of sneaker culture that connects to me is the stories that are behind the pairs of sneakers that I had: what it took to get them; what the journey was; and the kind of things that I did in them.
We’re in a world [that’s] very big on how many sneakers you have, how big your collection is, and how expensive it is. I can’t relate to that in the same way; that’s not how I came up in [sneaker culture]. It was because I saw somebody else who wore a pair of sneakers, and I admired them.
It was through the process of getting these sneakers that I would have these experiences that meant more than the sneakers. So, one of the slogans that we have for “Sole Stories” is, “Your Stories are the True Grails.”
The stories of what has taken place in the process of getting the sneakers and what you’ve done with them: those are the true grails; those are the things that can’t be taken away; and those are the things that are going to last with you for a long time
NK: What’s your Sole Story?
OAN: It was my first date with my now wife. She asked me to go for a walk. So, she gave me an address and as I was pulling up, [the area] was getting more and more woodsy. I got there, and it looked like it had been raining the night before. It’s wet, it’s damp.
I see her with a group of people across this big patch of grass, and she’s waving. So I’m wearing the “Space Jam” Air Jordan 11s, and I take the first step and my foot sinks. The sneakers are done. But, we go for this walk.
And 12 years later, we’re married with two kids.
Even if those sneakers are long gone, I have told my children that story.
NK: Walk me through the process of creating the “Sole Stories” series.
OAN: The first part of this is trying to figure out who and what I connect with within the culture that’s genuine to me. So, I’m thinking what’s true? What’s beauty? What’s goodness?
What’s the truth about [sneakers]? How can I make this aesthetically pleasing & beautiful in its storytelling? And how can I promote a message that I think would be a good message?
So sneakers and sneaker culture are something I genuinely care about, but I care about you. I know other people can connect to you, and they can see themselves in you.
I wanted to be able to approach it from an angle where we could highlight the shoe, not the collection. I don’t want to get into the whole collection, because it doesn’t have to be a collection.
NK: Where did “Your Stories are the True Grails” come from? How does it tie into the legacy you wish to leave behind with this docu-series?
OAN: I want to shout out to Mikeisha Vaughn because she wrote the line from listening to me talk and that’s the legacy of “Sole Stories.”
That’s what I would like people to pull from this.
When it comes to sneakers (when it comes to fandom in general), we want more and more and more. My hope is that “Sole Stories” helps us to take a moment from the disappointment of “they don’t have your size anymore,” or “we just sold out” to reflect and go, “Is it all about getting another one? Is it all about going on to the next shoe? Is it all about getting the next fit off?”
I hope that “Your Stories are The True Grails” can communicate and get people to reflect on appreciation and gratefulness for what they have
It’s about the memory that you have; the photo that you took; the experience that you reflect on.
Stories are the most important thing that we have. They have the power to build; they have the power to destroy; they have the power to encourage and motivate.
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