bar, customization shop, mahogany-and-sneaker lined cigar lounge and even a wood-floored basketball court surrounded by VIP box seats seemingly plucked straight from Miami’s E11even nightclub. This summer, the latter will serve as a venue for a series of invite-only concerts.
“My cousin let me wear her original 1985 Jordan 1s. I didn’t really know the power it had, and I wore those to school and it attracted other people. It helped create a voice for me without actually having to speak,” recalls Ciambrone of his origin story. What mesmerized the 15-year-old was how empowered he felt, how these sneakers opened doors and conversations.“Then after everyone had the same cool shoes on their feet, that’s when I airbrushed a pair and painted it camouflage.
The epiphany led to a hustle climbing the streetwear ladder, eventually selling custom Shoe Surgeon-branded Vans to LA uber-boutique H. Lorenzo and making sneakers for a season of. But the breakthrough came in 2010 when mentor Javier Laval, owner and designer of Android Homme, commissioned Ciambrone to create bespoke sneakers for Will.i.am.’s VMA performance.