We chat to one of the OG Community members Claire aka @cl_air_max1
Tell us about yourself.
You cannot ask a lady her age, but I am 47 years old, if you must know, lol. I reside in Battersea with my husband and three beautiful children. I work as a Food & Beverage manager at GravityMax Wandsworth, which is such a fun place to work. Companies like Offspring host events there, and it seems like celebrities always tend to walk in.
How long have you been into sneakers and how did you get into them?
Throughout my life, I have embraced my tomboyish nature. My fascination with sneakers began with Reebok, particularly classics, freestyle, and workout styles. I also had a fresh pair of Avia sneakers for school, and I would buy from Frank Johnson Sports in Brixton. As a teenager, my love for footwear grew into a healthy obsession, and I became enamoured with Air Max sneakers. I started working at Office Shoes and witnessed the establishment of Offspring. I collected 110s, Air Max 1s, and Rifts. You name them, I either had them or still have them.
Do you have an early sneaker memory?
When Nike Rifts made their debut, the world couldn't help but stop and stare at something that hadn't been designed like this before. It was ahead of its time. The comments ranged from playful jabs like “Hey, camel toe!” to amusing remarks like “Looks like a turtle foot!” Additionally, the introduction of Nike I.D. blew my mind. The idea that I could design my own pair of Nike sneakers was incredible. No one else in the world could have trainers like me. So, I seized the opportunity and created a pair of baby pink Nike Shox, complete with my name. Feeling on top of the world was an understatement.
Do you have any sneaker regrets and what is your sneaker grail?
My biggest regret is giving away so many pairs of sneakers over the years. Instead of neglecting or thinking they were no longer good, I should have taken better care of them. If I had, I would have an even bigger original collection. Now, some of my old pairs are falling apart and hardly worn. As the saying goes, “Wear your Air.”
As for my grail, the Air Max 1 Concept (Far Outs) would be the highlight of my collection. I dream of acquiring a pair for myself as well as the Nike x Sacai LD Waffle in Pine Green so, I can complete the whole set.
I already have a few pairs of Sacais, and I’m so dedicated to the brand that I even have a Sacai tattoo.
What sneakers are in your rotation currently?
I have a pair of ‘Nike Air Max 1 x Patta’ in Black that I consider my reliable work beaters, as well as my ‘Air Max 90 Skull Pack’. On my days off, I like to treat the road as my runway, and I lean towards wearing Air Max 1’s or Jordan 1’s to pair with a cute dress. My sneaker collection is constantly growing, and sometimes I struggle to find space to store them all. It’s easy to forget about some hidden gems when I’m sifting through the mountain of boxes.
As a woman in the sneaker industry can you tell us how you’ve been able to navigate yourself in a predominately male space and your experience so far?
Fortunately, I am a size 6/40, which allows me the flexibility to wear both women's and men's sneaker releases. However, I recognise that it is unfair for women with smaller feet who often miss out on certain shoe drops. I am hopeful that the predominantly male sneaker industry is undergoing a positive transformation.
Platforms like Sneaker Sisterhood, which I was invited to join from the beginning, are contributing to this change. I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of this journey, especially because we celebrate our diversity in various aspects.
Aside from sneakers what else are you into?
I take great pride in being a colour match enthusiast. I am so dedicated to achieving perfect coordination that I even bring my latest sneaker purchases along while shopping. Some may find it silly, but it truly brings me joy. While I have a longing for more extensive travels, my current focus is on cherishing moments at home with my family.
It brings me immense happiness to see my three children grow into young adults, and I thoroughly enjoy spending time with our two cats, Storm and Chewy (we are Star Wars fans). One delightful aspect is that my daughter is essentially a miniature version of myself, not only sharing a strong resemblance but also the same shoe size. This means she can freely choose from my sneaker collection, which brings both of us great delight.
What does community mean to you?
Due to our mutual love for sneakers, both my husband and I have developed close-knit friendships, especially through Offspring collection days. My husband, who goes by @stevie_insta_g, actively participates in @thepanel.online, while I am a member of the @sneakersisterhood. We truly consider these individuals as part of our extended family. We eagerly look forward to every Offspring event, as it allows us to reconnect with the wider community and warmly embrace new members into our group.
Check out more from Claire on Instagram @cl_air_max1
