LOOPED

THE SNEAKERHEADIT: CHRISTOPHER JORDAN WALLACE

By Kasia Hastings and Nic Hayman, 23 May 2017

It’s a sneakerhead’s worst nightmare: you save your pennies for months to finally grab your ultimate grails, making you the envy of the whole neighbourhood. You’re turning heads wherever you go and fielding endless ‘Where’d you get your shoes?’ enquiries. Then you get jacked.

Christopher Jordan Wallace picks out his favourite footwear and talks his new film Kicks, Biggie Smalls and Air Jordans | ASOS Style Feed

Picture: ASOS

New film Kicks brings those fears to life. This no-punches-pulled exploration of sneaker culture’s highs and lows documents one kid’s journey through Northern California to retrieve his shoes – at any cost. We caught up with one of its stars, Christopher Jordan Wallace, to discuss Air Jordans, 90s hip-hop and, oh yeah, his dad – The Notorious B.I.G.

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How did the opportunity come about to work on Kicks?

I got the chance to audition for the role and when I read through the script I was like 'Who wrote this?!’ That was my first question, it was so good. My second question, when I saw it was written and being directed by Justin Tipping, was ‘Who the hell is Justin Tipping?!’ The audition was a super-funny car scene, but I had added a lot of lines and improvised - that really impressed him. When I auditioned with Jahking [Guillory] and Chris [Meyer] we just had a real chemistry straight off the bat. When we walked out I remember getting Chris’ number just because we connected so well. Then two or three weeks later Chris hit me up asking me if I was in Oakland to start pre-production and I was like ‘Yep, let’s do this!’ I was so happy we all got it.

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Have you ever owned a pair of Jordan 1s – the shoes at the centre of Kicks?

Yep, when I was little I had the exact pair – the Bred 1s. I didn’t get ’em stolen like in the film, though! I had them when I was real small, but I remember seeing them on my feet.

Have you got your eye on anything new at the moment?

Definitely the NMD – adidas is killing it. They’re a monster in the game right now. Gazelles, Sambas…

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Your dad was famously stylish – have you learnt any style lessons from him?

For sure. Both my dads were stylish – I’ve actually got two dads: the man who raised me, Todd Russaw, and the man who everybody knows. Todd Russaw was the guy who really gave me my style. He showed me all the secret shopping spots in LA, even down to the streetwear spots. We were wearing Undefeated before it really became defined as ‘streetwear’. Fashion has always been one of the major things I’ve cared about, I always wanted to wear my own clothes. I hated it when my mum picked out my clothes for me!

Christopher Jordan Wallace shows an adidas Originals NMD_CS1 | ASOS Style Feed

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Tell us about your favourite footwear picks…

adidas Originals NMD_CS1

Like I said before, adidas scored a huge hit with the NMD. I really like what they’ve done across the whole range. I love the gum sole against the white upper on this City Sock.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V

These are amazing. I’ve never owned a pair of ASICS before actually, but this colourway caught my eye straight away. They’re definitely going to be my first pair.

Christopher Jordan Wallace shows a Dr Martens brogue | ASOS Style Feed

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Dr Martens Windsor

I had to go for some DMs while I was over here! I really like brown and navy together on a shoe, then the fact that they’re made of suede just blew it up for me.

Christopher Jordan Wallace holds a Chelsea boot | ASOS Style Feed

ASOS Chelsea boots

Chelseas always feel good, and go with my personal style really well. The natural crepe soles on these are a nice point of difference to other pairs. That combined with the earthy brown and cream tones make this a great shoe.