For this week’s SpaceCadetz interview, I present to you Peter Fahey, the man behind the Sneaker Pimps World Tour, which will be making its way across the United States this summer. If you are into shoes at any level (and who isn’t really), then this show is a must-see. Read the interview and get the downlow on the show from Peter himself.

Yo whats up…I’m Peter Fahey - creator of the Sneaker Pimps World Tour - the worlds largest touring sneaker and street based art show.

Let’s take a quick glimpse into the beginnings of SneakerPimps. How did you come up with the idea for the show and what was the first one like?

Well since leaving high school back in 1999 I was always into doing events and shows which had a great personal appeal to me, so i was throwing hip-hop shows, skateboarding demos - one day whilst vacationing in California I came up with an idea to do a sneaker show - I loved sneakers - so it seemed like a natural thing to do….three weeks after having that first thought I put on the first Sneaker Pimps show in Sydney, Australia - my home town. The first show was held in a tiny gallery and displayed about 200 sneakers - only rare and limited edition sneakers - there was really no art element to the show back then - it was a collection of sneaker that my friends and I felt people would be interested in seeing.

Now that the show has been all over the world and running for a few years now, how would you say the show has evolved over time?

Well if asked to describe the show today - I would say it is a physical manifestation of what sneaker culture is all about today - hip-hop, art, skateboarding, basketball, fashion design etc. Right now we display over 1000 pairs of sneakers, sneaker inspired artwork fashion and photography - we have artists painting live at the events, we have fashion designers creating installation based around sneakers, we have video artists, we have major hip-hop groups and dj’s performing, skate demos with dope skateboarders.

The stage is set for the SneakerPimps USA tour, which will kick off next month in Los Angeles, and end in NYC. Many people reading this interview have never been to a SneakerPimps exhibition. What can they expect to see/experience if they check it out at one of your USA stops?

Well first over 1000 sneakers - broken down into various categories - rare, limited edition, celebrity signed, new release etc….about 500 of the shoes have been customized by artists from all over the world and from all different mediums i.e. Futura, Stash, Dalek, Dr Romanelli, SBTG, Doze, Shepard Fairey, Tkid, Cope2, Kinsey, Stay High, Brother Free, James Jarvis…and so on. We have original photography by legendary photographer Jamal Shabazz, paintings by Dave White. Aside from the artwork itself we usually have some major hip-hop groups performing….I cant say too much right now about who will be on the bill but last year we had groups and dj’s such as Public Enemy, Mix Master Mike, Biz Markie……Live artists painting on shoes, painting on trucks, painting on walls……live skateboard demos……ice sculptors and flame throwers…..product give aways, competitions….

Do you have any funny/crazy/weird stories that you’d like to share from your experiences running the show abroad?

Yeah always crazy shit is happening to me…..I mean when you do shows in third world countries you always run into insane situations and weird people - in Bangkok we dealt with being chased by phony customs agents and nearly getting all our shoes robbed along with cash and passports……nearly got kidnapped in the Philippines when I was on tour……I have run out of money midway through tours from credit card fraud hahahah man yeah some pretty hairy situations…..but looking back on it all…..I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Which city has been your favorite so far?

Impossible to pin-point one…but here are a few….Manila, Cape Town, Jakarta, New York, Belgium.

The logistics behind the show must be insane in order to transport that many rare and expensive shoes around the globe. How is all that handled?

YEAH!! Dude ask me what the worst part of touring Sneaker Pimps is and I’m gonna tell you it is by far SHIPPING AND LOGISTICS. Basically have to keep very close tabs on the amount of shoes I have….in every city i have to hire a very good customs agent and give them some money under the table to make sure everything runs smoothly.

What is it about the sneaker that makes this show so successful and universally accepted? For example, I don’t think this type of global exhibition could be done for any other article of clothing like jeans, tshirts, or even hats. Why the sneaker?

Yeah you just have to look at what the sneaker culture is made up of and it gives you a sense of why it has become such a phenomenon……sneaker collecting and customizing started way back in the 80’s, rooted firmly in hip-hop - it was/is a way for people to show off their status - like “yo check me out I got the new J’s” - so by having rare sneakers on or expensive sneakers you stand out in the crowd. It gives you recognition and individuality - and it seems, people crave to be individual, hence the popularity of the sneaker in such a way that it stands out more than t-shirts, jeans, caps..

Where do you see sneaker culture in the next 5 years? 50 years?

I don’t like to predict…..but check it out….look what the sneaker culture is made up off today….sneaker magazines, sneaker forums, clothing labels, customizing, entertainment, industry (footwear) - if you look at any major culture and its progression and growth into a mainstream stability you will find an industry and interest beyond the activity itself - in this case: magazines, customizing, entertainment etc…

What kind of shoes are you wearing right now?

Socks…but if I was wearing shoes I would be wearing these black denim dunk hi’s I just got.

The last pair you bought and/or received?

Supreme blazers and black and gold Stan Smiths.

Any shoutouts?

Scott from SpaceCadetz for the opportunity, Heavy.com, all the artists, sneaker heads and crew involved and everyone who comes to the show. See you out there!

www.sneakerpimpsusa.com

SneakerPimps MySpace Profile

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