Christyna Pourhabib, creator of "The First Pair" book, explores the human aspect of sneaker culture
As a kid, she used sneakers to separate herself from the monotony of uniforms in her private school. Today, sneakers are the glue that holds together the pages of The First Pair book, Christyna Pourhabib’s approach to sneaker culture through the lenses of sneakerheads and streetwear junkies from New York City to Los Angeles.
Who is Christyna Pourhabib?
I’m a creator, and I’m someone who is determined to master myself. I am a woman who carries many stories of love and hurt and joy, and I’m committed to sharing those stories through my art and connecting with others along my journey. I love reading books and listening to old school music. I’m always bumping some Sade, Anita Baker, or Marvin Gaye. I’m a lover of vintage things — I really appreciate items that carry a story with them. That sentiment is echoed throughout my life, from the things I buy to the things I set out to create. The ability to connect and tell stories is an amazing thing that really makes me who I am.
What’s your sign?
Aries. I’m surrounded by Aries. All of my family are fire signs.
How did you get into the streetwear culture? Do you have any industry favorites?
Growing up in L.A., streetwear and sneaker culture were all around me. They were embedded in the culture. I went to private school, but on the weekends and after school, all of my friends would just go hang out on Melrose or Fairfax. It was very much a part of the culture and a part of the environment. I had friends who worked in streetwear stores on Fairfax. In private school, I was wearing uniforms, so sneakers were the only way I could express myself. On the weekends, I was super into Stüssy. Industry favorites? For women, I was definitely looking up to Vashtie. She was untouchable to me. Pharrell. As I got older and started doing a little more research, I was really focused on the women that were making waves. You had Melody Ehsani. Aleali May was around in L.A., too. These were staples who were going against the grain. Of course, streetwear is a male-dominated industry, so seeing people break out of that mold — that’s what I was attracted to.
Courtesy of The First Pair coloring book.
“As a woman in the industry, I wanted to be a part of the conversation, but I wanted to do so by sharing other stories as well.”
What led you to create “The First Pair” book?
My background is in journalism and storytelling. I thought that I was going to make something different. I was talking to people, and I was like, “I think I want to do something involving Jordan. I think I’m going to pitch an article.” The more people I talked to, the more I saw that this was more than an article. This was bigger. It was much more that people had to say. I started just talking to people in my circle — people that I knew were a part of the culture. Not any sort of hypebeasts. Just people with genuine love for it. I was just curious about what got them started. What was the story behind it? The question that I asked when I interviewed people was, “What was the first pair of sneakers that made you feel fly?” From there, the stories really opened up. I wanted to create something that had a personal touch. I wanted something that you could feel in your hands and turn the pages. I wanted to create something that existed in people’s homes. It had to be physical. Another part of it, too, is that there was nothing like it out there. If there’s something that you want to see or something that you want, just go in and make it for yourself. As a woman in the industry, I wanted to be a part of the conversation, but I wanted to do so by sharing other stories as well. I tap into my story for a little bit, but this was definitely a space for people to express that love. You hear about all of the designers and people who have been moving the cultures, but the people who are actually affected by it and love it? That’s what it was really about for me.
What was your process?
It started with the stories. It started with interviewing, day after day. I did the interviews and transcribed them. I knew I didn’t want it to be long-form. I would go through and highlight parts that I felt really stuck out. I was like, “I know what stories I want to be in there.” Then it was a process of elimination. Which ones held more weight? Which ones really said something? Because a lot of people were like, “I really love sneakers, and this sneaker was cool.” It wasn’t just about the sneakers — it was about the human connection. Once I got over the creative part of the interviews and what the story was going to be, then it was how I was going to to tell it visually. What was the aesthetic that I was trying to show with this? Again, it was a process. I had to deal with missed deadlines and things not going smoothly. But it was a lot of practicing patience and realizing that with everything that went wrong, I was learning something from it. I learned how to do something differently the next time. That’s how I looked at it. My lens had to be completely positive. Otherwise, I would be overwhelmed with different things. It was a process, but it was fun. All of the interviews I did in New York, I was just walking on the street, and I would stop people. I was just like, “Hey, I’m working on a project. Do you have time to talk about it?” Every single person was down to talk. I’d interview them, and sometimes I’d have a photographer with me and we’d just shoot. Or I would just have a camera. I’d interview them and say, “Let me get a few shots.” It was really cool, and I loved that part about it.
How, in your opinion, do the streetwear and sneaker industries treat women? Where has progress been made? What still needs to be changed?
I think that the industry is taking a more inclusive route. They’re much more open to female designers and innovators. That kind of goes into what Nike did, when they had 14 designers reimagine the Air Jordan 1. Nike’s doing some really great things with that. Puma’s doing some really great things. The conversation just needs to continue. I want to see constant progression. Going back to Melody, she just dropped another shoe. Giving them the space, allowing them to break the mold. Doing whatever they want with it. I think brands are open to that. I realize that they see we’re moving the market, too. It’s not just men. We have dope styles and ideas. It’s profitable for them to introduce more women into the space. It’s still a challenge. I think there’s pushback still. It’s still a male-dominated industry, but a lot of brands are making active decisions to include women. The work needs to continue.
Have you faced any challenges navigating the streetwear and sneaker industries as a woman of color?
I think that I’ve had the privilege of being in those spaces growing up. But now, I feel like I have to have something to show. For example, this book. I may have a conversation with you, telling you all of my knowledge and how I feel about it. It sounds good and cool, but I think that having something else to show for it says that I’m really serious. I don’t know that I even see it as a limitation. I see it as changing someone’s viewpoint of what this industry looks like. It’s us continuing to make our way into the space, holding that space, and knowing that we’re meant to be here. The challenge is on them to accept it.
What was your first pair, and what is your favorite pair of sneakers now?
My first pair was the Air Jordan 11 Space Jams. That was the first pair that I had ever camped out for. That experience was insane. I’m at the Fox Hills Mall in L.A., and it was freezing cold. I’m in the underground parking structure. I’m one of a few women there. I think I was 16 or 17. It was just so crazy because I was buying Jordans, but this was a whole other part of it. These people were sacrificing sleep, safety, everything. It was so cool. I don’t even know if I told my parents what I was doing. I didn’t have no service down there either. In the morning, my parents were like, “Where were you?” I was like, “Y’all, I was camping out for some shoes.” It was so funny. From there, I camped out every December when they dropped the holiday Jordans. That was always my favorite pair, and the shoe was just crazy. It was the black patent leather and the icy blue soles. My favorite pair now? I’ve really been rocking with the Sacais, the waffles. But favorite? I feel like my answer is always changing. I feel like my top, for sure, is always going to be the Space Jams, but the Jordan 1 Royals? Those are sick. Those pretty much go with everything.
“It’s us continuing to make our way into the space, holding that space, and knowing that we’re meant to be here.”
My first pair of sneakers is kind of embarrassing. I used to live in Brooklyn, and there were these people who sold fake sneakers. My parents didn’t know, so they just bought me a bunch of white Air Forces. Come to find out they were fake.
How did you realize? What did they look like?
Exactly the same, but everything was stiff. Everybody’s looked soft, and mine looked stiff. Then when I got into Jordans, my father treated me to some. He bought me a pair of Team Jordans. When I came into school, I was so happy. I was like, “These are the 23s.” I had no clue. These guys were laughing at me like, “Those are Team Jordans.” I was like, “What?!”
Like, “Dang, I thought I was fresh right now.”
Courtesy of The First Pair coloring book.
If you were to create your own sneaker, who would you collaborate with?
Nike is my vibe, for sure. I was doing a shoot, and I looked at my shoes like, “Most of my shoes in here are Nike.” Even the people that I talked to in my book — it points to how powerful the brand is. There are so many people in Nikes and Jordans. There were a few people talking about Adidas or what Pharrell was doing, like dropping the Ice Creams. But yeah, Nike for sure. That would be amazing. I’d make something super dope. They’ve only had four female sneaker designers. It’s about that time.
What is a sneaker that you’ve always wanted to own but couldn’t get your hands on?
It’s the Vashtie 2s. And you know why? Every couple weeks, I check StockX and GOAT. I thought I was dreaming or something because I remember looking at the app, and I saw they had my size. It felt like I did it, but I woke up in the morning, and I was like, “Did I ever push confirm on that?” I was half asleep. I was in Japan, and there was the time difference. I went and looked on there, and they were gone. But that is my pair, for sure. I’m going to have to hit up Vashtie because I can only go so many more years.
What’s next for you? Can we expect a sequel to “The First Pair” book in the future?
I want to have more collective conversations where we’re sitting down and talking about sneakers, the impact, and letting that open up. I want to see what that grows into and where I want to take that. In the meantime, I’m continuing having these conversations and adding the voice, creating a space for more women, and providing a platform where we’re able to own that space and honor where we are and where we want to be. I think that’s what’s next. Just having fun with it. It’s something that we all really rock with. Even more than that, it’s about the human story.
“What was the first pair of sneakers that made you feel fly?”
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Interview imported from SVGE Magazine Issue No. 6: The Fashion Issue (February 2020).