Name: Paulo Fernandez ( P )
About me: Being Filipino-Australian it’s easy to pigeonhole me, right? “Stereo typical From the Philippines so he’s into Basketball and the NBA”. To be honest, that is just a small part of it. Family was the reason I got interested in sneakers, my Aunts and Mom worked for Kinney shoes Australia (who at the time, owned Footlocker). Learning about shoes and its make up was ok, but then my mom got promoted to Manager at Footlocker in Bankstown, from then on I would never be the same.
It was 1989 and I learned a lot about sneakers, and was into ALL kinds from Adidas, Converse, Reebok, KSwiss, LA Gear, Nike and of course Air Jordans. Yes I was (and still am) in love with the game of Basketball, and oh man was it ever the best time for sneakers back then, oh so many players, with so many different sneakers to choose from. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird with their converse, Karl Malone with is LA Gears and Michael Jordan with his line of Air Jordan’s.
So that year for my Birthday My Dad takes me to Footlocker in Blacktown and buys me my 1st ever pair of Air Jordans, (AJ 5 White Fire Reds too, he must’ve gotten sick of me destroying my Dr Martens school shoes whilst playing basketball in them).
I tell you that reflective tongue, the fighter plane flames, the clear soles with the jumpman on the bottom Inside them Soles and that Nike Air Bubble, I was hooked!
I had to collect all my Basketball heroes sneakers, it felt like I was adding bits and pieces of their game to my own when I wore them. From David Robinson’s Air Command Pumps, Scottie Pippen’s Flight Lites, Charles Barkley’s Air Max CBs and of course MJ’s Air Jordan’s I’d be out on the blacktop trying to emulate their moves, incorporating them into my game.
Times have changed, I don’t play basketball as much I have diversified my sneaker collecting somewhat. To this day whenever I’m out I’m always on the lookout for great sneakers, especially when I’m travelling. Exploring different countries and seeing what they have to offer, from Asia, America and soon Europe.
Instagram: @Soleinsiders
My Top Three Sneakers
– Air Jordan 5 Fire Reds; My First ever pair of Air Jordan’s. My Dad bought them for me, that pair will always be a memory I will cherish forever. One of the memories I hold nearest and dearest to my heart regarding my father since he passed away. #RestInParadisePapa
– Air Jordan 3 White Cement; So many reasons, That Elephant Print (I’m not one for ANY Animal print, I find them tacky; but Elephant print is now my Only exception. #TinkerTaughtMe). MJ’s iconic Free throw line dunk to score a perfect 50. That moment will forever be embedded into my memory, as I’ve seen over 1000 times and to this day have my Original poster of it on my wall.
– My NikeID Lebron X “Bumble Bee” ; They are a one of the best designs of the Lebron signature line, in my Opinion. They have amazing cushioning and great ankle support! So happy I got a pair NikeID-ed when I could. It is One of the best feelings; rocking sneakers you had a hand in making, and could well be One of One in the whole world.
*Note: I’m pictured holding my Air Max 1 OG Colourway, because I was at Nike’s AIR MAX Day celebration in Sydney.