People collect all sorts of things—stamps, coins, action figures, or even rare art. For some, the joy of collecting is rooted in passion, nostalgia, or simply a love for a particular item.
One collection that has gained significant attention in recent years is sneakers. For sneaker-heads, shoes are not just about function; they are a form of expression.
Duncan Grant is one such collector, and his impressive collection of over 60 pairs of sneakers reflects not just his love for footwear, but also his journey into the world of sneaker culture.
When BDLife had a peek at his closet, it was a sight to behold; more than 60 pairs of sneakers, lined up neatly and colour-coordinated.
Nike dominates his shoe collection, which Duncan attributes to pop culture and great advertising. His favourite pair is the Air Jordan 4 Travis Scott.
‘‘It is comfortable and braggadocios,” he says laughing.
Interestingly, Duncan was not always a sneaker-head. Until two years ago, he only had a few pairs which he “wore to death.”
He began building his sneaker collection after he watched The Last Dance, a documentary on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
“I used to watch basketball with my dad. He had this Chicago Bulls hat. Watching the documentary took me back. Michael Jordan is behind the whole Nike Air Jordan thing in my collection. I liked the style of those red Chicago Jordan 1s. I bought them first, and it was like an addiction.”
Besides looking good, he says the shoes help him interact socially.
Duncan Grants shows off his sneaker collection at his home in Nairobi.
Photo credit: Marion Sitawa | Nation Media Group
"It's a cool way to express myself. I'm not an extrovert; my personality is like a slow burner. So, it takes time to get to know me. I can make an immediate impact and impression on someone based on how I'm dressed and which shoes I'm wearing.”
His shoes always look pristine and that is not by accident. He is thorough in maintaining them.
"There are different sprays and tools that you can get. I have a suede cleaner for the ones that have suede. I have these foam sprays for cleaning. When cleaning put the foam on then brush in gently. Make sure that you don't ruin them with hard brushes."
He prefers to clean them himself, especially the suede sneakers.
"They are a bit more delicate, I like to do that myself to make sure that they last as long as possible.’’
