Don’t call Herbby a sneakerhead. He is not. 

His love of sneakers is about history. He won’t tell us how many sneakers(or les baskets, in francais), are in his sneaker collection; but in 2017, 150 pairs of sneakers were on display at the first HerbbySince‘89 Block party. The party was inspired by film director Spike Lee’s Michael Jackson block party in Bedstuy, Brooklyn. But, it wasn’t the Michael who sings that made Spike Lee a legend to sneaker lovers of all generations. It was Michael Jordan. THE Michael Jordan. The two paired up for the 1988 Air Jordan 3 commercials. In the commercials, Spike Lee, in character as Mars Blackmon from his movie “She Gotta Have It,” served as the pitchman for Air Jordans. The rest is American history. And, black American culture is a commodity around the world.

In Paris, sneakers are a part of everyday style. The most sought-after uniform on these French streets: A white pair of sneakers- preferably Stan Smiths - and a nice trench coat. If the weather allows for it, which is any temperature below heatwave level, then throw in a scarf.

But beyond the french staples, there is a sneaker culture that appeals to many here and oft-times mirrors American culture. Although, American sneaker culture is admittedly too vast to define because it’s frequently segmented by region. If you’re allegedly, for example, from DC and have never owned a pair of New Balances --before they became a J. Crew staple item-- can you really claim the area?

As a former resident of Maryland, DC and New York City, I was curious about cultural differences. I wrote to Herbby and here’s what he had to say on the difference between American and French sneaker culture and where to shop in Paris.

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING? HOW DID YOUR 2017 SNEAKER EXPOSITION COME ABOUT? IS THERE ANOTHER ONE PLANNED?

I’m working on personal projects with a friend of mine, Oumar Diak, around Street Culture and Cinema. HerbbySince’89 Block Party  came about after going to Spike Lee’s annual “Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson” Block Party in 2016. As a Spike Lee and a Do The Right Thing fan, I was amazed that the event takes place at the Do The Right Thing Way in Brooklyn. The people, the energy, the music and Spike Lee’s proximity with the crowd inspired me to develop my own Block Party concept around my main passions; which are sneakers, basketball, hip-hop and art. I also made sure to organize the first 2017 edition in my hometown named Noisiel.

HOW MANY PAIRS OF SNEAKERS DO YOU OWN? AND HOW LONG DID IT TAKE FOR YOU TO AMASS YOUR COLLECTION?

I never share the number of sneakers I own because I buy, rock (& stock...) sneakers for their history. I don’t buy them to have the biggest collection and/or to say that I own X number of sneakers. Sneakers is a passion for me. I don’t consider myself a so-called “sneaker addict” or “sneakerhead”: I’m into Sneakers. I started buying sneakers with my own money 10 years ago.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AMERICAN AND FRENCH SNEAKER CULTURE?

American Sneaker Culture is mainly inspired by sports and athletes such as Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen; Charles Barkley, Penny Hardaway; Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson; LeBron James, Andre Agassi, Bo Jackson… French Sneaker Culture is mainly inspired by lifestyle and trends, but also by the American Sneaker Culture.

WHAT'S THE SCOOP ON ADIDAS? EVERYONE IN PARIS SEEMS TO OWN A PAIR OF STAN SMITH WHITE ADIDAS. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

I don’t own a pair but Parisians like simple white shoes that they can wear everywhere on a daily basis. The older they get, the better for us!

WHAT'S THE BEST LIMITED EDITION OR SPECIAL EDITION SNEAKER?

One of my favorite limited edition sneakers is the Nike Dunk Low Premium QS “Paris” (2018), inspired by the world’s oldest basketball gym created in the 9th district of Paris in 1893.

WHAT'S A DEAD STOCK SNEAKER THAT YOU WISH WOULD BE REISSUED?

The 1995 Andre Agassi’s Nike Air Alarm. They’re FIRE!

WHO IS YOUR GO TO SOURCE FOR SNEAKERS IN FRANCE?

My go-to-source for sneakers are friends who work in the sneaker industry for brands and/or retailers. That’s usually how it works in Paris. If you don’t know anybody from the industry, it’s hard - impossible, even - to get anticipated sneakers. 

ANY SUGGESTIONS OF WHERE TO GO TO BUY SNEAKERS?

Parisians usually go sneaker shopping around Châtelet area. Especially in stores like Opium, Starcow; Shinzo, Sneakernstuff; Footpatrol, Size; Pigalle Basketball, Citadium and recently opened consignment stores. We also like going to the Sneakers Event, which is considered the biggest sneaker convention in Europe.

edited for clarity