#SneakerheadProject: Janel Young
SHOT BY: @STILLBYHELLY
Tell us about yourself.
“I’m Janel Young, I’m 28, originally from Pittsburgh, PA and I’m a painter.”
How long have you been a sneaker lover?
“I’ve been wearing sneakers my whole life but I became a sneaker lover in sixth grade.”
Do you remember your introduction to the sneaker game?
“I remember in all of my pictures when I was really young, I always had kicks on and swishy sweatsuits with the matching colors. I think I really started taking the sneaker game seriously when my mom bought me these white and orange mid Air Force 1s. At first I hated them and thought they made my feet look too big. I think one day I just woke up and changed my mind, started rocking them and then they got really trendy. From there I just started collecting sneakers.”
What is your favorite pair of sneakers?
“That’s tough, but right now it would be my high top neon Prestos for the comfort, color and versatility. As my all-time favorite, I would go with the Nike Air Max Plus silhouette.”
What are you wearing now?
“I am wearing a bralette and I don’t know where it’s from, Jordan poolside shorts that I cuffed myself, socks from LA All-Star Weekend 2018, and my shoes are the women’s Air Jordan Black/Hot Punch 1s. I guess I should mention my Nike chain and that’s from GirlForcexo.”
What is your favorite sneaker colorway?
“I love a bright shoe! My favorite colorway for sneakers is anything with a neon flair, like the pair I’m wearing today. I’ve had a thing for neon green years before it was trending.”
If you could collaborate with any sneaker brand, who would you collaborate with and why?
“I’ve always been a Nike girl but I could easily see myself collaborating with Puma or Vans. I love the work that they do with visual artists like myself — especially women artists — and the creative culture and liberty that shows through their collabs.”
What do you think the sneaker game is missing?
“It’s missing the representation of black women. It’s also missing the dynamics of women in sneaker culture meaning we don’t just want pink, pastel or flowers. We like the hard sh*t, too.”
To check out some of Janel’s art, follow her personal Instagram @Janel.La.Bella and her art Instagram @JY.Originals!