It is my opinion that as a very influential head of a culture that many of us value, RF should hold some type of responsibility for the state of how sneaker culture is viewed by us, collectors, resellers and the general public. As someone with so much influence on how things work in the limited sneaker industry, you'd think that he would maybe try a little harder to change something about how things are done, but the fact of the matter is and he's stated this SEVERAL times, it is not his problem. My argument is, that it is HIS problem. It's all of our problems. A perfect example of someone that does speak out on issues in the sneaker industry would be Jeff Staple, using whatever influence he has to speak on the sad state of our culture. Granted, his releases may not exactly be the most accessible, at least he does not give off an air of being better than anyone else.
I don't know guys, I'm not here to bash RF. I'm speaking more on how some guys can just blindly follow him, or jordan, or kanye or whoever else, without questioning the character of the person releasing the products.
Jeff Staple interview:
"What would you like to see change in the future?
I miss the simplicity of sneaker culture: I see a great compelling commercial or ad for a shoe. I want it. I go to the mall, walk into three or four shops and look for it. Then I buy it. (Remember the days where your feet got measured for shoes and you'd walk around the store to see how they feel before you bought them? When was the last time you did that??) OK, then I go home. Lace them up slowly. And I am happy. Now everything is political: Who's getting it? Tier 3.1 Varsity First String accounts only? Damn... Who's getting it for free? Who do I gotta ask? OK, **** it I'll buy it... where's the end of the line? Oh, there's a Twitter raffle where you gotta Instagram and hashtag your virtual e-ticket that should be a printout of the e-newsletter from last week's Tumblr re-pin? ****. I missed it. OK, let me check eBay...oh it's four times the MSRP? OK, **** it. BUY. Get it in the mail. It's a fake. ****. How did it get this way? "
Spiderman quote:
"with great power comes great responsibility"
Guys like Staple, Fieg have the ability to change some of the things that we complain about ALL the time. Exclusivity, reselling, etc. All that stuff. I know RF doesn't HAVE TO care, I'm just saying that he should.
Take it how you want guys, yes I'm still going to try and buy a pair but I am not willing to camp out in person or online for anything. Retail or bust. When I speak of supporting RF, I'm moreso commenting on supporting the reselling prices of his products, thus fueling his ego. I don't see copping his products at retail to WEAR, really contributing anything to the hype. It's the dudes salivating over his JUST US crap and willing to pay 2x, 3x, 4x retail for a pair of his shoes. I'll admit buying it at retail is supporting him in some way but what can you do? I like the product. Hate the person.
Anyways, good luck to everyone copping his sneakers. Thought this was a message board in which we could talk about our hobby. Sorry that my post tickled some of yall soaked for RF vags.