Sally Torabi Has a Closet Full of Heat and Color
Sally Torabi owns all the sneakers we wish we did: the Yeezy 700 Inertia, the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star 70s Hi Off-White, and so many more. But, she’s not a show-off or a coveteur of hype and hardly anything else. Her flex is subtle. Not in a way that’s superficial or, worse, braggadocios. Sally is a sneaker-lover through and through.
We’re not sure why, but we always seem to capture the collections of some amazingly ambitious women. The latest instance? Catching up with Denmark-born Sally Torabi as she essentially shares her pickups with the world. Having lived in Aarhus (the second largest city of Denmark) her whole life, the 24-year-old just completed a Masters degree in Psychology this summer after creating an Instagram account in January this year with the intention of sharing her love for sneakers with people who share the same interests. One scroll of her page is proof enough that Sally is no novice.
Torabi’s not new to standing out—she’s embraced being different since she was a kid. Exhibit A: She’s Persian (her family is from Iran) and has found her purpose early in life. Her goal? Helping others. Hence, the Psychology trajectory. That same make-a-difference attitude also lends itself to her style. Sneakers on a daily basis? No problem. Pleated skirts, anklets, and sneakers? Absolutely. All of the above drew us to Torabi, which resulted in us diving into her Denmark closet. What can we say? Walls of Air Maxes and sneakers covering her entire floor—you know we love a good closet pull.
Keep scrolling for more on Sally'’s passion, the art of being a chameleon, and why color makes her closet.
May The Force Be With You…
“I’ve been wearing sneakers for a long time and in High School I got my first fresh pair of Air Forces. I wore them even when it was snowing outside, and trust me it can snow A LOT in Denmark and my feet were freezing but I still didn’t want to wear anything else. But at that time I can’t say I was in the “game”, I was just a girl who loved my Air Forces. When the Yeezy 350V2’s came out I loved the idea of a sneaker coming out in limited quantities so you could feel special when you wear them because everyone wouldn’t own a pair. Then, after a while, I fell in love with Nike and the brands diversity and here we are!
My first pair of “special release” Nike sneakers are the Sean Wotherspoon 97/1. I own a lot of Yeezys, and I love my Yung-1’s, but I’d probably say I’m pretty much a Nike girl at this moment.”
Shop the Sneaks: Nike Air Force 1
Welcome to Aarhus
“I wouldn’t say that sneaker culture is a huge thing in Aarhus. Although I have a bunch of friends who wear sneakers on a daily basis, they don’t share the same passion for sneakers - you can say that they’re mostly just an accessory to their outfit, while for me, it has become a lifestyle. Aarhus is actually not a bad city sneaker store wise. We have some good stores around the city such as Rezet Store, Stoy, JDsports and NakedCph - and I generally see more girls being drawn to the sneaker world.
The fact that we have great stores that have huge releases sadly isn’t equivalent to knowledge about sneaker culture or a great sneaker community in general. Instead, people use it as a way to resale and earn money which I think is sad, especially for the girls who often don’t stand a chance of getting their hands on small sizes. “
Closet Keys: COLOR
“In my personal opinion, you can’t have the perfect sneaker closet without adding different colors to it. I have a lot of black and white sneakers as well but it just isn’t what I’m drawn to. I’ve found out that the crazier my sneakers look the happier it makes me! And adding color, for me, is just an important part of that.”
PurposeFULL…
“Apart from sneakers I’m extremely passionate about my family and just in general my surroundings well-being, which is probably part of what got me interested in Psychology to begin with. Not to sound super cliché, but helping others and making a difference has always been a huge part of who I am as a person, and kind of a thing I look upon, as one of the purposes in my life.”
Innovation Over Everything.
“I’m definitely drawn to colors and in new technology in general. I love how especially brands like Nike just blow us away with new silhouettes and hybrid models such as the Air Max 720 and the Air Max 270 React. I feel like 2019 has really been a colorful sneaker year so far which makes me happy. I don’t limit myself to one brand and exclude others.”
Shop the Sneaks: Air Max 720 and Air Max 270 React
Style Tip: Change It Up
“You could describe me a bit as a chameleon when it comes to style. I love a comfy fit like mom jeans and a basic t-shirt, but I also really like to wear colorful dresses, pleated skirts and matchy suits. In the winter time I often wear layers on layers which includes mixing up jeans, dresses and a knit on top. I really don’t let the cold and rainy Danish weather limit my style. I’m really drawn to colors and craziness in general.
I don’t really have a ultimate favorite model from any brand and that also shows in my collection - there is a lot of diversity. Some of my sneakers are just very special to me, like for instance the Nike Sean Wotherspoon AM 97/1. It’s colorful, it’s corduroy (which I LOVE) and it’s a hybrid combining two great silhouettes from Nike. At the moment some of my favorites are the Air Max 270 React, the Air Max2 Light Atmos and the Jordan 1 Satin Black Toes.”
Sally’s Current Rotation In 3 Words:
“Color, color and more color!”
“The things I have to go through sometimes and the extra money I have to put into trades in my own size, are insane and I just don’t get why.”
SneakHER Culture = EQUALITY
“I honestly think it’s more of a struggle to be a woman and being into the sneaker game. Small sizes are often difficult or even impossible to get your hands on and often they go for way more than men’s sizes on resale sites. I wish retailers would make more of an effort to prevent re-sellers to buy pairs that aren’t even their size. I think the focus on including women in the sneaker community and creating women’s’ exclusive releases have increased but, still not to the point where I am satisfied. I’m often waiting on a release on the SNKRS app telling myself that today is the day, and then they only release the sneakers I want, in a US Mens 6 or 7 and up. I’m a US Mens 4-4,5 so imagine my disappointment when that happens - which is A LOT! The things I have to go through sometimes and the extra money I have to put into trades in my own size, are insane and I just don’t get why, in 2019, women don’t have the same opportunities sneaker wise as men. I hope that we’re moving towards better opportunities for women and small feet people in the future and if possible, I’d love to be one of the people who can have an influence on that. I have so much respect for the women in the sneaker community making a change.”