Marques Brownlee Goes Sneaker Shopping With Complex

Complex
20 May 202412:53

Summary

TLDRIn this video, Joe from Complex takes tech expert and content creator Marquez Brownlee sneaker shopping at Flight Club in New York City. They discuss Marquez's love for Jordan 1s, his experience designing his own sneakers, and the importance of wearing and using your possessions. Marquez shares insights into sneaker culture, his collaboration with indie brand Adams, and his thoughts on technology in footwear. The episode also features personal stories, including Marquez's memorable first interview with Kobe Bryant and his admiration for iconic sneaker designs. The video concludes with Marquez purchasing new sneakers, including a pair of Kobe's and Bruce Lee-inspired shoes.

Takeaways

  • 👟 Marquez Brownlee visits Flight Club in New York City to shop for sneakers and discusses his favorite pairs.
  • 🗽 Marquez explains the concept of 'daily drivers,' referring to shoes he wears regularly.
  • 📅 Marquez has been wearing his 2016 Jordan 1s frequently, appreciating their wear and patina.
  • 👞 He emphasizes the importance of using and wearing shoes instead of keeping them pristine.
  • 👟 Marquez collaborated with Adams to design his own sneaker, the 251s, learning about the intricacies of shoe production.
  • 🧵 He discusses the balance between design and functionality in sneaker creation.
  • 🌟 Marquez reflects on the influence of Kobe Bryant, who gave him a pair of sneakers, and his appreciation for Kobe's impact on his career.
  • 👨‍💻 He comments on tech's role in sneaker design, including Tim Cook's custom Air Max and Nike's AI-designed prototypes.
  • 🦾 Marquez expresses skepticism about the necessity of tech in shoes, preferring traditional designs for comfort and practicality.
  • 🎯 He achieves a 'grail' by designing his own sneakers and feels content with his collection, although he plans to purchase Kobe's Bruce Lee colorway shoes.
  • 🛒 Marquez browses the store, planning to buy several pairs, including the Sabrina 1s and the Kobe 5 Bruce Lee colorway.
  • 💳 He completes his purchase, totaling $2,874.53, and shares his sneaker journey on social media platforms.

Q & A

  • Who is Marquez Brownlee and what is his background?

    -Marquez Brownlee is a tech expert, content creator, Ultimate Frisbee champion, and sneaker designer.

  • What is Marquez Brownlee's term for the shoes he wears the most?

    -Marquez Brownlee calls the shoes he wears the most his 'daily drivers.'

  • What kind of wear does Marquez Brownlee appreciate in his Jordan 1s?

    -Marquez Brownlee appreciates the patina and wear that his Jordan 1s develop over time, making them look vintage.

  • What did Marquez learn from designing his own sneakers with Adams?

    -Marquez learned about the complexities of product design, including material costs, manufacturing processes, and the importance of combining aesthetics with functionality.

  • What is Marquez's opinion on incorporating technology into shoes?

    -Marquez believes that while tech is popular, shoes should remain a pure product that connects the wearer to the ground without unnecessary gadgets or screens, except for special cases like Nike Mags.

  • What pair of sneakers holds significant sentimental value for Marquez?

    -The 1985 Jordan 1s hold significant sentimental value for Marquez because they are a classic design that has aged well.

  • Why does Marquez believe people should 'wear their kicks'?

    -Marquez believes that shoes, like other items, are meant to be used and enjoyed rather than kept pristine. He compares it to driving a car or using a phone.

  • How does Marquez feel about partnering with an independent brand for sneaker design?

    -Marquez feels that partnering with a small, independent brand like Adams allows for greater creative input and the ability to influence the final product while still benefiting from the brand's expertise.

  • What iconic shoe did Marquez receive from Kobe Bryant?

    -Marquez received a pair of shoes from Kobe Bryant during his farewell tour, which he treasures and does not wear.

  • What does Marquez think about AI-designed sneakers?

    -Marquez has mixed feelings about AI-designed sneakers. He finds the idea cool but believes that shoes should primarily focus on comfort and functionality without overcomplicating them with unnecessary technology.

Outlines

00:00

👟 Sneaker Shopping with Marquez Brownlee

Joe from Complex meets up with Marquez Brownlee, a tech expert and content creator, in New York City at Flight Club. They discuss Marquez's sneaker preferences, specifically his well-worn 2016 Jordan 1s, which he refers to as 'dailies.' Marquez explains the concept of daily drivers in the tech world and how it applies to his favorite sneakers. They also look at a pair of 1985 Jordan 1s, appreciating their vintage appeal and the wear and tear that adds character to the shoes.

05:01

👟 Creating Custom Sneakers with Adams

Marquez discusses his collaboration with Adams to create his own sneaker, the 251s. He shares the challenges of designing a functional and comfortable shoe, the importance of materials, and the cost of production. He emphasizes the value of partnering with an independent brand that listens to creators. They also talk about the variety of sneaker brands seen on the streets, beyond the dominant Nike and Adidas.

10:02

👟 The Impact of Kobe Bryant and Tech in Sneakers

Marquez recalls his first interview with Kobe Bryant during Kobe's farewell tour, highlighting the significance of that experience. He talks about the importance of wearing your sneakers, even the special ones. They discuss the trend of tech executives wearing fashionable sneakers, and the potential future of designing sneakers on iPads. Marquez expresses mixed feelings about the integration of tech in shoes, preferring a focus on comfort and functionality over unnecessary gadgets.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Sneaker shopping

Sneaker shopping refers to the activity of browsing and purchasing sneakers, which are a type of athletic shoe. In the video, Marquez Brownlee is taken on a sneaker shopping trip at Flight Club in New York City to explore and buy new sneakers, discussing his preferences and experiences with different pairs.

💡Jordan 1s

Jordan 1s are a specific model of basketball sneakers designed by Nike for Michael Jordan. In the video, Marquez discusses his fondness for the 1985 and more recent editions of the Jordan 1s, highlighting how he wears them frequently and appreciates their durability and vintage aesthetic.

💡Daily drivers

Daily drivers are items used regularly in everyday life. Marquez uses this term to describe the sneakers he wears most often, comparing it to the tech world's use of 'daily driver' for gadgets like phones or backpacks that are used every day. He explains how his Jordan 1s serve as his daily driver sneakers.

💡Sneaker design

Sneaker design involves creating the aesthetics and functional aspects of sneakers. Marquez shares his experience designing his own sneaker with the brand Adams, detailing the complexities and learning process involved in making a comfortable and stylish shoe that can be used daily.

💡Tech in sneakers

Tech in sneakers refers to incorporating technological advancements into the design and functionality of sneakers. Marquez discusses his views on the role of technology in sneaker design, such as Nike's AI prototypes and the Adidas 4D shoe, expressing a preference for maintaining simplicity and functionality over adding excessive tech elements.

💡Indie brands

Indie brands are independent companies that operate outside the major corporate umbrella. Marquez highlights his collaboration with Adams, an independent brand, to create his sneaker, and discusses the growing popularity and variety of indie brands in the sneaker market, despite the dominance of giants like Nike and Adidas.

💡Vintage aesthetics

Vintage aesthetics refer to the visual style that evokes the look and feel of older, classic designs. Marquez appreciates the vintage look of well-worn sneakers, particularly his Jordan 1s, and admires the aged appearance of 1985 originals, considering them stylish and timeless.

💡Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant was a legendary basketball player whose influence extends beyond sports into sneaker culture. Marquez recounts his first interview with Kobe and the impact it had on his career. He also talks about the significance of the Kobe sneakers he owns, which he treasures and refrains from wearing.

💡AI prototypes

AI prototypes in sneaker design are experimental models created using artificial intelligence to generate new designs. Marquez mentions Nike's AI-generated shoe prototypes and reflects on the potential and limitations of AI in creating functional and aesthetically pleasing sneakers.

💡Simplicity in design

Simplicity in design refers to creating products that are straightforward, functional, and aesthetically clean. Marquez values simplicity in both tech products and sneakers, noting that the best designs often appear easy and minimalistic but require careful consideration and expertise to achieve.

Highlights

Marques Brownlee's introduction as a tech expert, content creator, Ultimate Frisbee champion, and sneaker designer.

Discussion about Marques wearing Jordan 1s and their vintage look due to continuous use.

Marques explains the term 'daily drivers' for items used frequently, like shoes.

Marques' opinion on the 1985 Jordan 1s and their good condition despite age.

Emphasis on wearing and using purchased items rather than preserving them.

Marques' collaboration with Adams to create his own sneaker, the '251s,' highlighting the two-year process.

Challenges and learnings from designing a functional and aesthetically pleasing shoe.

Insight into the complexity of designing even simple-looking products like sneakers.

Marques' perspective on working with an independent brand versus major brands like Nike and Adidas.

The influence of Kobe Bryant on Marques' career, including his first interview experience with Kobe.

Discussion about tech integration in sneaker design, including Nike's AI prototypes and the potential future of custom design.

Marques' mixed feelings on incorporating high-tech features into shoes, preferring simplicity and functionality.

Marques' excitement about seeing more variety and independent brands in the sneaker market.

Marques' personal sneaker 'grails' and his decision to buy more Kobe sneakers.

Marques selecting new sneakers at the store, including the Bruce Lee colorway and Sabrina shoes.

Final transaction and total purchase amount of $2,874.53.

Closing remarks, emphasizing Marques' influence in tech and sneaker culture.

Transcripts

00:01

[Music]

00:24

what's up everybody it's Joe from

00:26

complex we're in New York City at Flight

00:27

Club with tech expert content Creator

00:30

Ultimate Frisbee champion and sneaker

00:32

designer Marquez brownley yeah how you

00:35

doing I'm good going to do some sneaker

00:36

shopping today get to see what he's

00:37

feeling what he's not and then hopefully

00:39

he's going to buy some sneakers that is

00:40

the plan let's

00:43

[Music]

00:51

go we talked about Jordan 1es on the

00:53

past episode but recently at complex we

00:56

saw some videos especially the Disney

00:59

360 treadmill and the thumbnail and

01:01

we're like is he wearing 85 Jordan Ones

01:04

we thought maybe they were the ones from

01:05

85 but they're not you've just been

01:08

wearing them nonstop were they 2016 2013

01:12

I probably had them since 2016 and

01:13

they've been worn a lot lot of miles on

01:15

mine and I like that they wear well I

01:17

mean they're leather already but you get

01:19

a nice patina as they call it there and

01:22

I think they look great what I like

01:23

about it is that there's so much wear

01:25

and tear to it that they're kind of

01:27

becoming vintage I think you got them

01:29

maybe 4 years years ago and you've been

01:31

wearing them I think you call them

01:32

something that's like not really known

01:34

in sneaker culture but that I even

01:35

learned dailies daily drivers sure yeah

01:38

so explain that oh man I use the term

01:40

for I mean in in the tech world it's

01:42

like the phone you use every day the

01:44

daily driver the the backpack you carry

01:46

every day with your daily drivers the

01:48

shoes the car obviously the daily driver

01:50

but I feel like that's a that's a staple

01:52

so the the shoes that I wear the most

01:54

are going to be the dailies uh which are

01:56

mine but like that's that if you put a

01:58

lot of miles on them you want them to be

02:00

able they're great for daily and this is

02:01

like a close second now we very good

02:03

daily yeah one thing I wanted to while I

02:05

have you here oh yeah these are 85s okay

02:09

and obviously you have such high

02:11

opinions on everything but I really

02:13

wanted to get your opinion on these are

02:15

1985 Jordan 1es the OG iteration of the

02:19

ones that you wear all the time what do

02:20

you think about those and this is

02:22

considered good condition for those

02:24

right I mean so mine are going to end up

02:26

looking like this eventually I have a

02:28

soft spot for certain things like I

02:29

mostly like modern Sleek clean minimal

02:32

type stuff but there's something about

02:34

something like this that ages so well to

02:36

see 40-year-old shoes that actually look

02:38

like something that might look on on

02:40

your feet today yeah they're sick man

02:42

they're really good and another

02:46

thing that I like you have stood on

02:50

business you know the kids say standing

02:52

on business creasing yes talk to the

02:55

camera and let them know that wear your

02:58

kicks man this is a thing like I I got

02:59

got the shoes last time and I think I

03:01

maybe had a picture of wearing one of

03:03

them and I was wearing them as you're

03:04

supposed to and I did one of these and

03:06

it's like not a big deal if you get a

03:08

car don't keep it in the garage drive it

03:11

if you get a new phone put a case on it

03:13

sure use it if you get new shoes walk

03:16

around go up and downstairs there's

03:18

going to be puddles outside we your

03:21

[Music]

03:27

kicks since you've been on the show mhm

03:30

big moment for you yeah worked with

03:32

Adams on your own sneaker yep a big

03:34

process 2 years sampling and things like

03:36

that what did you learned putting a shoe

03:38

together your own shoe the two 51s wow

03:41

loaded question a lot I learned a lot I

03:43

mean I've never made a product before so

03:45

first of all I learned you can make a

03:46

horrible shoe if you give me all the

03:49

controls I will make a shoe that looks

03:51

nice but that is functionally terrible

03:53

walking out here falls apart

03:55

functionally terrible uncomfortable like

03:57

all sorts of bad weird stuff about it so

03:59

then obviously combining with their

04:01

expertise like making a shoe and this

04:02

isn't a hoop shoe like I think this

04:04

drives like a lot of the culture people

04:05

want to be able to hoop in their shoes

04:07

it's just like a daily driver shoe as

04:08

we're talking about so I'm like walking

04:10

around going on a flight like at work

04:12

like these are the shoes I just want as

04:14

the most comfortable things that I have

04:15

every day so sort of combining their

04:17

Tech with what I was able to do with

04:19

design and I learned a lot about yeah

04:22

the materials what goes into like how

04:24

much each part of the shoe costs and

04:25

different manufacturing materials and

04:28

how these things add up it's just

04:29

there's a lot that goes into making a

04:30

product for sure and we talk about

04:32

functional shoes but even like low

04:34

profile like classic shoes is it

04:36

something about like even those are

04:38

tough to achieve like you think of like

04:39

a Converse Chuck Taylor or like a Reebok

04:42

Classic you know designing sneakers is

04:44

it like those even have to have function

04:45

even though they're not as high-tech as

04:47

these there's more to it than you

04:48

usually think I think that and I've said

04:50

this about like YouTube videos before

04:52

like the best ones look easy and I think

04:55

that's true about products too they're

04:56

they look simple but there's a lot that

04:59

goes into the of the design and just

05:00

like the the edges of it and the the

05:02

pieces that go to that connect to at the

05:05

just the right spots like there's all

05:06

sorts of little things that go into it

05:07

that you might not notice so that's just

05:09

good product design and what I also like

05:12

you went with Adams a independent brand

05:15

and what we've seen over the past few

05:17

years is kind of parody in the market we

05:18

see a lot of new bals we see a lot of on

05:20

we see a lot of Solomon what do you

05:22

think about like going with an indie

05:24

brand but also where of course Nike and

05:26

Adidas are still like the juggernauts

05:27

but like you see on the streets there's

05:29

a lot more variety yeah just out here in

05:31

the city I'm seeing that which is

05:32

awesome I feel like it's also if you're

05:34

going to make a product like unless

05:36

you're an NBA WNBA player you probably

05:39

can't make a shoe with Nike right so

05:41

it's about for me finding a company that

05:44

is small enough to actually listen and

05:46

help me make something that I'm

05:48

influencing but big enough that they can

05:50

actually do it yeah um and I feel like

05:52

this is the this is one of the doors

05:54

I've tried to open for creators where

05:55

it's like a lot of people have really

05:57

good ideas for products but building the

05:59

whole company to make the product is a

06:01

huge undertaking if you can partner with

06:03

a company that will actually listen and

06:05

can pull it off for you I want to open

06:07

that door for people so that's that's

06:09

what we tried to do we're strategically

06:10

placed in this section because this what

06:13

does this shoe mean to you okay so first

06:16

interview I ever did in my life think

06:20

about this I was like a shivering

06:21

teenager in the Staple Center was Kobe

06:24

during his farewell tour yes so you know

06:27

this was like him opening the biggest

06:29

door for me which was like I got to talk

06:32

Tech and a little bit and see Al he has

06:34

some influence in obviously the design

06:35

and the pieces of his shoe I've

06:37

interviewed and gotten to talk to and

06:40

make videos with countless people since

06:41

then and I really do believe a lot of it

06:43

is because like Kobe was amazing at

06:45

being interviewed by this kid who'd

06:46

never done it before I got to get a pair

06:48

of these because I know I said wear your

06:49

kicks earlier yes Kobe gave me a pair of

06:52

these I'm not going to wear this okay so

06:55

I got to get a pair so I can wear them

06:56

but that's the one pair that I'm going

06:57

to have and probably never wear

07:00

but yeah these these were the shoes he

07:01

was coming out with during that season

07:03

got to make a video with how he had an

07:04

impact on the design of the shoe and

07:06

this colorway especially exact color I

07:08

remember it's like you did the close-ups

07:09

and everything like that amazing full

07:11

circle story for

07:15

[Music]

07:18

sure getting into some tech talk did you

07:20

see Tim Cook wearing the Air Max's

07:22

design on the iPad I did see that what

07:24

do we think about that there's a there's

07:26

a little bit of a trend now of like Tech

07:29

Ex wearing some heat on stage uh I don't

07:33

know I mean it's cool obviously those

07:35

are going to be like oneoff I assume

07:36

they're oneoff I think made like that

07:38

but yeah no I I appreciate that do you

07:41

think designing on an iPad is something

07:42

that we could see in the future or that

07:44

would be sick now the thing about like

07:46

Custom Design stuff like when you get

07:48

Nike ID they've got a template so they

07:49

know like you can change these seven

07:51

parts to these 12 colors that we've got

07:53

ready for you so if you're doing like a

07:55

I assume an iPad oneoff design they need

07:58

a process to be able to

08:00

give everyone the ability to go crazy

08:02

and then then they also have to vet it

08:04

so you don't go nuts so it's it's

08:06

probably not going to be available for

08:08

everyone I assume that's a pretty

08:09

bespoke Tim Cook thing got it yeah he

08:11

kind of gets the keys to whatever he

08:12

wants I think so and then another thing

08:14

talking Tech Nike a couple weeks ago in

08:16

Paris unveiled kind of AI prototypes 12

08:20

shoes and it was like they were shoes

08:22

basically that were prompted by AI did

08:25

you see those and what do you think

08:27

about how AI is coming into sneakers

08:30

kind of have mixed feelings on on Tekken

08:32

shoes it's a cool idea it's a cool idea

08:35

but the other thing I've been thinking

08:36

about this like I I remember last time

08:37

we talked about like the 4D shoe Adidas

08:41

yes and I was thinking like is there

08:43

some way for there to be more Tech in

08:46

shoes and the more I think about it the

08:48

more it feels like shoes is one of those

08:51

pure places where you don't need tech M

08:54

it's like the the thing on your feet

08:56

it's like your mattress your chair like

08:59

I'm not looking for a ton of tech in

09:00

those things it's just got to be the

09:02

thing that connects me to the Earth I'm

09:03

comfortable I don't need like gadgets or

09:06

screens or batteries or anything on my

09:08

feet unless it's their mags and which is

09:11

sick but maybe that's down the road so I

09:13

I feel like the the the shoe space is

09:15

kind of one of those like pure things

09:17

where like yeah Tech is hot and so

09:18

they're trying to find ways to include

09:20

it but it's not necessarily necessary

09:22

right now okay one thing I love about

09:24

this show is that sometimes a lot of

09:27

times Talon comes in and they buy their

09:28

grils last time the off-white ones were

09:31

your grils were obviously a little

09:33

different because you now are designing

09:35

your own shoe do you have a Grail now or

09:37

has it changed do you remember what I

09:39

said at the end of the show last time

09:41

the last

09:46

line uh they rung me up did you say if

09:49

I'm what what did you say I got all the

09:50

shoes on the counter they rung me up and

09:53

I said damn I think I'm done for a while

09:55

yeah I think I'm done for a while after

09:57

this one okay and that's a fact those

09:59

are the last shoes that I bought that

10:01

were not the 251s wow so I got my grills

10:05

I've been wearing all the shoes that

10:07

said I do want to pick up those Kobes

10:09

cuz I want to wear those too but yeah

10:10

Grail checkbox lifetime achievement

10:13

unlocked I feel pretty good about that

10:15

love that I love that well we talked

10:17

about everything now is the easy part

10:19

browse the shelves see where you're

10:20

going to take home I will let's do it

10:26

[Music]

10:36

so what can I help you out with today

10:37

well I came here with a plan uh I

10:39

definitely like one of these in my size

10:41

so it's like a 12 and 1 half or 13 I got

10:43

you yeah yeah we got that I will be

10:45

wearing these also there's a pair up

10:48

here I was looking

10:49

at this right here Bruce the fives the

10:53

the Bruce Lee colorway which honestly

10:57

kind of torn between these I kind of

10:59

like them both mhm but what do you think

11:01

one of these better than the other yeah

11:04

go for the originals original yeah you

11:06

know beat like this yeah it's got the

11:08

Kobe it's got the it's got the Bruce Lee

11:10

touch it's got a little red and black

11:12

and I'm feeling this so all right got

11:14

you see we got those get two pairs and

11:17

then I was going to get a pair the

11:20

Sabrina shoes Sabrina ones got you if

11:23

you have them yep I know the twos just

11:26

came out they're probably not out yet

11:27

yeah not yet not yet give us a b more

11:29

time those for you so I would love a

11:31

pair of the ones I got you that's it yep

11:33

cool thank

11:35

you f everything okay this is it this it

11:38

it

11:40

cool all right your total is going to be

11:42

2,874 and 53 okay and whenever you're

11:50

[Applause]

11:55

ready all right you're all set man

11:57

awesome you have a good one appreciate

11:59

it man have a

12:01

[Music]

12:11

[Applause]

12:13

[Music]

12:17

good so Marquez came through told some

12:20

great stories talked about his design

12:21

congratulations again thank you picked

12:23

up some new Kobes you know where to find

12:25

him on the internet everywhere where you

12:28

need to know anything in Tech his

12:30

YouTube channel his podcast make sure

12:32

you tap in with him before you make your

12:34

purchases thanks appreciate it thank you

12:36

man I'm done for real this time okay you

12:38

heard it

12:41

[Music]

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Etiquetas relacionadas
Sneaker ShoppingMarquez BrownleeTech ExpertSneaker DesignNYCJordan 1Daily DriversAdams ShoesKobe BryantTech in Shoes
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