"Every once in a while you might need to get a fit off when you come into the office." That's a direct quote from our newly minted Chief of Staff and the subtle swaglord, Nick Wey.
*Stefan from SNL voice* This office has everything... Quirky fashion designers, number-crunching-number-crunchers, running dorks, and disgruntled artists. Trying to fit this square peg of a team into a round, blog post hole, we asked everyone what book they're reading and snapped a quick shot of their kicks. Alternative titles for this post were "Kicks & Chronicles", "Loafers & Literature," and "Sneakers & Stories." Honorable mention, "Moccasins and Manuscripts."
Nick West, Co-Founder & CEO
Pages: The World: A Brief Introduction by Richard Haas. As I’m now in my mid-thirties, I’ve entered my “go deep on world history era.” One of my personal goals for the year is to get very literate on geopolitics, and this book is a great primer to start to better understand the present day, by diving into major historical events (wars, treaties, trade deals, etc.) in recent history.
Pumps: My wife got me these Blundy's. Ardith told me they'll last forever, which should be long enough.
Tim Rossi, Head of Experiences
Pages: We Share the Sun by Sarah Gearhart (shoutout Sarah). It's about the GOAT, Patrick Sang... The man behind Kipchoge. It's awesome.
Pumps: New Wales Bonner Sambas. They remind me of the Bernard Lagat cheetah-print spikes, and I wore sambas religiously in middle-school. so I love the new take on a classic
Ale Iaccarino, Lead Designer
Pages: “The Oxygen Advantage” by Patrick McKeown because I love learning about ways to improve my health and my dream is to hold my breath for 8 minutes like Kate Winslet. Doesn't everyone have that dream?
Pumps: Double monk strap shoe because I love a more masculine shoe against a feminine fit.
Ardith Singh, Co-Founder & Chief Design Officer
Pages: Clarks x Kith x Adidas Sambas. I couldn’t resist an unexpected gum sole on a classic sneaker.
Pumps: Currently in the middle of Glossy, an interesting take on a disruptive (and relatively private) female entrepreneur…
Nicholas Wey, Chief of Staff
Pages: Battle Royale. The lesser-known Japanese precursor to / inspiration for the Hunger Games series (which I crushed in middle school). Might just be nostalgia, but I’m hoping this one gets me back into the habit of reading more. It was also made into a movie (rotten tomatoes says cult classic) that I’ve decided to watch as a reward if I get through all 600+ pages.
Pumps: I get that the XT-6 isn’t the most novel silhouette around these parts but our friends over at Salomon got me with the Aloe green.
Tim West, Founder & Creative Director
Pages: Reading the FTX story for a couple reasons. First, Nick West, who is the Rotten Tomatoes of book reviewers, told me it’s epic. But more importantly, SBF is facing a 110-year maximum sentence in March and… I’LL BE THE JUDGE OF THAT. Also, Michael Lewis is the goat.
Pumps: Unapologetic Kith and Ronnie Fieg stan. Picked these bad boys up at the Williamsburg flagship. Just trying to wear something that Ardith doesn’t get mad at me for. Also keeping up with Nick Wey’s footwear game is a full-time job.
John Rice, Creative Producer
Book: Wilderness Essays: John Muir. These essays written as Muir traveled around California, the PNW, and Alaska are a staple in the transcendentalist movement. He was a really intelligent person and perceived new experiences in a way that is interesting to me. I'm traveling around a bit right now, albeit to places that have already been discovered but it is teaching me how to comprehend new places, people, and experiences.
Shoes: Doc Martens. I've had these for the 3 years. I probably wear them 3-4 times a week and they might have over 100 miles of running in them. Sometimes running is cheaper than Ubers.
Abbey Roos, Lead Tech Designer
Pages: A memoir in essays that’s a funny look at the exhaustion of being a human, but also how our brains can trick us into self doubt and overthinking, which I think we could all use less of in the new year. And the real answer: I’ve been in the queue for it at the library and it just happened to become available
Pumps: Listen, I like the shoes. Quit asking me questions.
Joe Andrews, Head of Marketing
Pages: Leslie F*cking Jones by Leslie Jones. I’ve read the autobiographies of almost every member of the SNL cast, and this one’s right up there.
Pumps: Asics Tiger Runner. Can’t beat a classic silhouette with a color block. And there’s almost nothing you can’t wear them with. Almost.
Nicole Horsford-Holley, Head of Development & Production
Pages: "The Big Sea" by Langston Hughes. I re-read the autobiography every couple of years when I want to enjoy a piece that is familiar, colorful and allows me to find new details or meaning in each passage. Mr. Hughes lived a dynamic and ever-evolving life always anchored in his love for his craft. At the start of a New Year its fitting to find newness in reading a favorite that allows me to stay grounded and geared up for change."
Pumps: On my kicks, tons of memories, lots of travel (4 continents), one pair were worn to an epic NYE and these are 1 of my top 5.
Grace McCarty, Associate Designer
Pages: King: A Life by Jonathan Eig. My brother turned me on to this book. One of my goals this year is to continue to expand my horizons personally and professionally, and learning more about one of history’s profound human beings and how they navigated their way to greatness is inspiring and I’m hoping I can bring those learnings into my own life.
Pumps: Some Asics Gel Lytes. Grace declined to comment for this interview. They're fire though.
