These South Asian sneakerheads from the UK own enviable sneaker collections

Three UK-based sneakerheads talk about the sneaker culture, their collections, and the pairs they are hoping to cop next

Plenty has been written about the growing community of sneakerheads across the world. We ourselves have made it a point to showcase individuals who share a cult-like obsession with collecting sneakers (readhere). But as we witness the rise (owing to the pandemic) and fall (Business of Fashion pointed out how the global sneaker sales totalled $152.4 billion in 2022, reflecting a 2.7 per cent increase in sales from the year before but a dramatic slowdown compared to the 19.5 per cent spike in 2021) of sneakers, there still remains a community of ardent sneakerheads who would go at lengths to get their hands on a pair they are coveting. This time around, we cross borders to find South Asian sneakerheads residing in the United Kingdom to share their shoe collections and talk about how they predict the evolution of the sneaker community. 

Yatin Srivastava

Currently residing in London, 28-year-old Yatin Srivastava wears many hats. Born and raised in New Delhi, Srivastava, on paper, is a lawyer, but moonlights as a musician, releasing his own music under the moniker Yatin Srivastava Project.

As an extension of his vocation in music, he also is the founder of an audio and video production company called Cosmograph Productions. But his creativity doesn’t end there, for he works as a stylist and a fashion editor too. As a sneakerhead, Srivastava shares his priciest possessions. 

Let’s start with numbers: How many pairs of sneakers do you have in your collection?

I honestly don’t know the exact number, but if we’re talking about an estimate then anywhere near 50-70. Although I do see myself getting rid of a lot of them very soon. 

How did you get into the sneaker scene and the hype culture around it?

I’ve always been into shoes, particularly sneakers, from a young age. I remember loving the clean black Bata Naughty Boy shoes that became a staple for most kids in school. I also remember really wanting a pair of Ultraman sneakers that used to light up whilst walking. As I grew older, I remember loving Space Jam and Michael Jordan and always hoping for Air Jordan’s to reach the Indian market. As a teenager I started liking Vans, Converse, Nike Dunks, Supreme and Osiris because of Tony Hawk Pro Skater. That’s also the time I began playing in various bands.

I would be lying if I said that the hype culture between early 2013 and 2016 didn’t envelop my thought process. I was a huge fan of Off-White, Virgil Abloh and his collaborative Perfect Ten Collection with Nike (which I still think is the best collaboration so far). But by the time that initial interest in streetwear dwindled, I figured out what I liked and disliked, so hype didn’t really play any further role for me.

What was the first pair of sneakers that you copped?

The first pair of proper sneakers that my folks let me get were the Air Jordan 11 Space Jams in the All Black colourway. Those were part of a special edition, released only in China and a couple of other countries at the time [in 1995]. I was able to get a pair when I went with my family to Hong Kong for the first time. But the first pair that I bought on my own was the adidas x Pharrell Williams NMD Human Race.

Which is the most expensive pair in your collection?

There have been very few instances where I’ve paid resale value for some pairs, but most of my sneakers are copped at retail or bought on sale. The most expensive pair I bought at its retail value were for a pair of Balenciaga Triple S, in its original colourway.

How do you foresee the culture and community of sneakers and streetwear evolve in the future?  

The sneaker culture is definitely hitting its peak in places like India and other regions in Southeast Asia with more brands entering the market and selling products and ranges that wouldn’t be available earlier. It’s amazing because that means that the accessibility to sneakers has improved.

On the other hand, I think overall, the culture is on its way out. There has definitely been a major shift from the streetwear and hypebeast way of dressing to more of a utility-based format that incorporates streetwear elements. Hence, people are now focusing more on other different kinds of shoes and not just sneakers.

The inclusivity for women and other genders is still something that is not really seen and there is a constant push to make companies put out full size runs and not make products specifically for a certain gender. If the reselling market addresses issues of lack of accessibility and the lack of representation, then I see a continuation of this culture beyond just its niche appreciators. Other than that, if it continues to run just on the ideas of “hype” and economics, it will continue on a downward trajectory.

Which ones are you eyeing next to add to your collection?

I definitely have a list of sneakers I’m constantly after. My all-time grail is the Ari Menthol 1 or the Louis Vuitton Air Force 1. But realistically speaking, I’m definitely eyeing the MSCHF Big Red Boot and the Balenciaga 3XL sneaker.

Manthan Singhvi

Manthan Singhvi fulfills all his sneaker wants through his reselling business called The Vault. Born in Mumbai, 24-year-old Singhvi is currently based in London. He gives us a quick low down on his sneaker collection.

Let’s start with numbers: How many pairs of sneakers do you have in your collection?

I actually have no idea; between London and Mumbai, it’s a bit hazy, because my pairs are constantly being rotated between the two cities as and when I buy new pairs. I justified it to myself by saying that I will not own more than 30 at any given point, but currently it’s around 50 pairs.

How did you get into the sneaker scene and the hype culture around it?

I’ve always had a fascination for sneakers. I believe my mom helped me develop the taste. I started wearing sneakers from Zara and since then my taste kept evolving. I am not at all into the hype culture. While I admit I have fallen victim to it sometimes, I don't own pairs that are considered “hype”. I buy pairs that I like, that have a unique design or a great story, and “hype” usually doesn't align with that.

What was the first pair of sneakers that you copped?

One of the earliest pairs of sneakers I bought was the adidas Deerupt. It is not a “hype” shoe, but I still love it. The first relatively hyped pair I bought was the Pharrell x NMD Human Race Trail 'Solar Pack'.  The only pair of sneakers I stood in line for was the Air Jordan 1 ‘Not For Resale.’

Which is the most expensive pair in your collection?

I have never paid above retail for any of my sneakers. I follow this rule strictly, which means I have to pass on pairs that I like because they aren’t available on retail many times. So in terms of being most expensive, I don't think anything counts but in terms of their market value, my Nike Air Jordan 1 ‘Not For Resale’ and my Balenciaga Defenders and Xpanders are at the top.

How do you foresee the culture and community of sneakers and streetwear evolve in the future?

The sneaker culture is something a certain set of people absolutely love with all their heart, so it will always be relevant and will keep growing with passionate individuals aiming to create newer designs in the area.

Which ones are you eyeing next to add to your collection?

I am very excited for the MSCHF Red Boots coming out soon. It’s a questionable pair, but I feel I need to have it.

Sumit Deswal

Hailing from Haryana, Sumit Deswal has one foot in Gurugram and another in the United Kingdom, getting the best of both worlds by “spending winters in India and summers in Manchester,” as he put it. As someone who works in construction, Deswal has taken to creating content on social media, which, in turn, ignited his growing love for sneakers.

Let’s start with numbers: How many pairs of sneakers do you have in your collection?

I currently have about 23 pairs, including Birkenstocks and other mules that are a must-have for summers.

How did you get into the sneaker scene and the hype culture around it?

I remember as a kid, I would always choose my sneakers with the same zeal as I do now. So it went on and on and here we are. As a creator, you can’t afford to ignore a few good pairs of sneakers and boots because I believe you can tell a lot about a person by looking at their shoes.

What was the first pair of sneakers that you copped?

My first pair of sneakers were Converse x CDG Play High Top in black.

Which is the most expensive pair in your collection?

It has to be my Nike Air Jordan 4 x Off-White Sail.

How do you foresee the culture and community of sneakers and streetwear evolve in the future?  

I think there is no end to it. More than the United States of America, India is majorly influenced by the United Kingdom when it comes to the sneaker culture. Today, we see kids going mad for a pair of sneakers; they are constantly online for new drops and some even take a trip to Dubai as it’s the closest international destination where you can get a pair of popular sneakers, Off-Whites for example. There is a huge demand for it and I personally receive a lot of texts regarding where I get my sneakers from and if there is a reseller that I copped a pair  from. So yes, the business of sneakers is definitely going to be multi-pronged  in the future.

Which ones are you eyeing next to add to your collection?

I am looking forward to getting my hands on DRKSHDW by Rick Owens.

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