We chat to Offspring Community member Camille aka @freaklikemika
Tell us about yourself.
Hey everyone! Thanks for receiving me into the Offspring Community Meets. My name is Camille aka @freaklikemika, I’m 34 years old and I’m French. I grew up in the countryside of France and always been surrounded by ‘art’ thanks to my parents who are artists (dad, sculptor and mom, painter). I moved to Paris when I was 18 years old to discover the life in a big city and 8 years ago, I decided to move to a bigger one, which is London. My professional background is mostly based on retail in fashion and jewellery. And a year ago, I managed to get a chance to do my dream job, becoming a tattoo artist.
How long have you been into sneakers and how did you get into them?
I’ve been into sneakers since I’m pretty young as I grew up watching MTV Base and Trace TV. Music and fashion, always been a reference to me (Aaliyah, Missy Elliott and French hip/hop, NTM, IAM…).
Unfortunately, at that time, my parents couldn’t afford to buy me sneakers that easily, so it was only when I arrived in Paris and got my own job that I started to be more comfortable to buy sneakers. I also got the chance, at that time, to meet my best friend @mr.offthewall who properly introduce me to Jordan, SB’s and Kobe’s, and the sneaker game in general.
Do you have any early sneaker memory?
For my 15th birthday, I begged my parents to offer me a pair of Nike Air Max BW which I remember where in leather with a vino colour. I loved them!!!! They meant a lot to me as they were my 1st pair of Air Max but most of the time, at that age, you have only one pair of sneakers and I beat them to death.
Do you have any sneaker regrets and what is your sneaker grail?
I have a lot of sneakers regrets! As I’m a small size (UK4.5), I remember back in the day it was really difficult to find good/cool pair in my size, most of the releases were men’s sizes which started from UK6. Air Max 1 Grand Piano, De La Soul SB Dunk, Air Max 90 Duck Camo… are just few examples. But nowadays, brands have heard us, women with small sizes, we are part of the game too, and regrets became rarer.
My sneaker grail is the What The Paul x Nike SB Dunk Low. I wish I could have that pair in my collection. I love that it is a mismatch shoes, love the different panels of materials and colours which represents each different previous collaboration between Nike SB and Paul Rodriguez.
What sneakers are in your rotation currently?
To be honest, these past few days I have a mix of everything. I have a pair of Jordan 1 Royal Toe that I used during rainy days which means most of the time, but also a pair of Nike SB Dunk Low x Neckface. I wear a lot my Air Max 90 Infrared and Air Max 1 Animal Pack 2.0. And one of my most favourite and comfortable sneakers of my collection, the Sacai x Nike LD Waffle Pine Green.
As a woman in the sneaker industry can you tell us how you’ve been able to navigate yourself in predominantly male space and your experience so far?
Except the fact that I struggle to get sneakers due to my small size, I had the chance since the beginning to be surrounded by people from the sneaker game. They helped me to get information, access and knowledge. And here in London, I got in touch with some really good women communities.
Aside from sneakers what else are you into?
As said previously, I am becoming a tattoo artist (don’t hesitate to check my IG page!) thanks to my master @zapink who taught me all her secrets. I sculpt different type of objects for home display and sew few clothes for myself or friends as I studied fashion industry.
Also, I obviously draw, paint with a particular style and including Supreme accessories in it (as far as possible). I have a thing for collecting Supreme accessories!
Community to me means being part of a group of people who share the same passion or love for something whatever their background or where they come from. As a French woman living in London, I’m glad to consider myself part of a community where I can share my love for sneakers and more.
Fashion, art, music, sneaker culture are part of different topics who gathered us. Also, it is a pleasure to see that the women community is expanding more and more thanks to communities like @girlsxkicks @sneakersisterhood, @_queensofsole, many more and obviously you guys @offspringhq so thank you so much!
Check out more from Camille on Instagram @freaklikemika
