We often say that sneakers brings you to us, but community is why you stay. While our favorite activity is to salute other dope women in this space, we also want to learn from them. Much like women, the sneaker space has many layers. We had an idea to tap into our network to pull knowledge and insight from some of our favorite go-getting ladies for a series of "CNK Guides" designed to educate, empower, and help you find inspo as you navigate tapping into your creative side.

Sneakers have a special way of connecting the dots to a particular person, place, or thing. They birthed origin stories that fueled our creative expression before we were really able to explain our passions. The silhouettes we grew to love became badges of confidence, a major compliment to our personal style, and an easy conversation starter.

Writer and sneaker lover, Christyna Pourhabib, harnessed this energy and memorialized it within her book - THE FIRST PAIR. Created as a collection of stories, we love how Christyna focused on everyday people with a passion for kicks. “What was the first pair of sneakers that made you feel fly?” is the question that sets the foundation for The First Pair. This book takes us back down memory lane to not only reflect on our first pair, but understand the true connections and relationship we have with them. Bridging the gap of old and new school by sharing stories through interviews, we learn how expansive sneaker culture can be.

As we dive into Christyna’s book, we also get a closer lens into her creative process. In her own words below, check out each important area that can serve as a roadmap to your own unique path.

“I created The First Pair because I wanted to share the love and connection people have for a pair of sneakers. We know about the influential people in sneaker culture, but I wanted to highlight the everyday sneaker lovers that essentially give this industry life. I wanted to know the moment their lives changed when they laced up their first pair of sneakers and how that relationship evolved. I created The First Pair because it was important to share those stories with a broader audience. I’m a writer, so putting it in book form felt natural.”

“It’s no secret that sneaker culture is male-dominated. As a female writer with an appreciation for sneakers, I found it imperative to add my voice to the conversation. The entire mission of The First Pair is to highlight members within a community that are often overlooked. We know the influencers and moguls that push the culture, but I had the opportunity to speak with both women and men that aren’t often given an opportunity to share their story. There was something really dope about curating a community of sneaker-lovers and listening to their experiences. I always felt inspired when I was connecting with other women while working on the book. And after publication, I’ve been very intentional about seeking out and nurturing relationships with like-minded women.”

“One of the most fascinating moments while I was working on The First Pair was the interview process. I began each interview with the question: What was the first pair of sneakers that made you feel fly? After each person answered the question, they began recounting specific moments from that period in their life. Some spoke about the sacrifices their parents made or violence they witnessed at shoe releases, while others remembered the shame they felt when they were teased for not being able to afford a pair. Many vowed that their children would never have to feel that same humiliation. The common thread was sneakers, but more importantly, it was the human connection. The stories of our past connect us to our present–– and having the ability to bond over a shared passion felt special.”

“I think the first step is identifying your why. Why do you want to make this book and why will people want to read it? From there, start researching your topic and gathering resources. The more the better. This first period is all about excavating the topic and then narrowing in on the specific subject you want to focus on. If you can answer those first two questions and identify the intention as to why you want to create this project, you are off to a great start. When you’re on your path, remind yourself of the intention and let that be your guide. The authenticity behind your work will carry the project.”

“I definitely experienced moments of frustration throughout my creative process, but that’s natural. Anytime you create something from scratch, there’s going to be a bit of a learning curve. Yes, people have written books before, but no one ever published a book about the first pair of sneakers that made you feel fly. I was doing something that had never been done before. And I had to remind myself of that when things didn’t always run smoothly. Another thing that really helped me was looking at each situation as something I could learn from. Instead of being upset that something didn’t work out the way it was supposed to, I viewed that as an opportunity to learn from so that in the future I’d know exactly how things should be handled.”

“I find inspiration in the music I listen to, the flowers and plants I see on my walks, the furniture in stores, the color scheme of a new collection, the design of a shoe, the colors in a sunset, the amazing people in my life and so much more. I find inspiration in everything around me and I’m inspired each day to honor my talents and create art that has meaning. I’m inspired by any person that dared to be themselves in spite of what the world had to say.”

IF YOU COULD GIVE [3] TIPS TO ASPIRING CREATIVES, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

• Don’t do it because it’s popular, do it because you like it.

• Connect with your community. You will go much further with a supportive team. 

• Rest is productive.

SHIFTING THE NARRATIVE LOOKS LIKE…

“I want to be a resource for young women coming after me. I’m more than willing to use my voice and my platform to advocate for women because I think it’s important for us to see ourselves in the world. The sneaker industry has been male-dominated since its inception, and bringing more women into this space is necessary work that has to be done. We are such powerful beings and creating work that highlights and celebrates women is something that I’m extremely passionate about.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR CHRISTYNA?

Continue the conversation. Continue the work, and continue finding myself along the way.

Stay connected with Christyna Pourhabib through her Instagram and make sure to check out more about The First Pair book via our button below.