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スニーカー > SNEAKER PIMPS発起人PETER FAHEY氏にインタビュー

世界最大規模のスニーカーショーを開催し、各地で巨大なムーブメントをおこしているSNEAKER PIMPS WORLD TOUR。しかしまだ日本のスニーカーシーンでは、SNEAKER PIMPSの名前は聞いた事があっても、それがどんなイベントなのか知らないファンも多いのが現状。そこで今回は5Dの協力により、KICKSNAVIがこのSNEAKER PIMPS WORLD TOURの発起人であるPETER FAHEY氏に特別インタビューをすることに成功。今後目の離せないSNEAKER PIMPSに要CHECK！

5D・KN		Throughout Japan, people are familiar with the name "SNEAKER PIMPS" but there are many freaks that don’t know about the shows themselves.Could you please let us know what Sneaker Pimps events are about by starting off with your introduction as a founder?
PETER		My name is Peter Fahey and I’m the founder of the Sneaker Pimps World Tour, which is the largest touring sneaker and street based art show. We display over 1000 sneakers in our show plus a collection of sneaker inspired artwork and fashion. We also have live hip-hop performances at the shows and have worked with many legends i.e. Futura,Stash, Dave White , Doze, Public Enemy, Dr Octagon , Mix Master Mike , Nike SB Skate team , Ice Cream skate team , etc.
5D・KN		What is the main purpose of SNEAKER PIMPS?
PETER		The main purpose of Sneaker Pimps is to show people what’s going on in the global sneaker culture, and show what it is made up of i.e. hip-hop, skateboarding, streetwear, and graffiti.
5D・KN		What motivated you to hold the first show and to then continue touring throughout the world?
PETER		Skateboarding, hip-hop, sneakers, art. I just took everything I was into and rolled it into one show. Sneakers were the medium to display a culture that was breaking through.
5D・KN		How many countries has the show traveled to?
PETER		Over 20 countries and something like 50 cities.
5D・KN		Sneaker Pimps shows have developed a reputation for being highly organized, heavily themed productions that adapt well to the cities and markets in which they are held. Do you have any background in organizing and promoting events, or is Sneaker Pimps your first?
PETER		Well I’m 24 years old right now, I started Sneaker Pimps when I was 20, before that I did a few hip-hop shows in Sydney but nothing on the same level as Sneaker Pimps. I had to learn everything as I went, made lots of mistakes but it was the best way to learn.
5D・KN		The shows have always dedicated a large amount of focus to customized sneakers, or sneakers as an art medium. How do you select the customizers that are involved with each event?
PETER		Well actually there is an even amount of customized shoes and rare sneakers, but yeah the customized sneakers definitely stand out because of the amount of creativity involved. I am not that selective with who is in the show. Usually people hit me up most of the time and want to put their sneakers in the show so I let them. But occasionally I’ll come across someone’s website or see something online somewhere and freak out and contact the person to be in the show. My four favorite customizers right now are SBTG , Methamphibian , Jor One and C2.
5D・KN		As you mentioned, FUTURA, STASH, DAVE WHITE, METHAMPHIBIAN, JOR ONE, JB, SBTG and others have done live artwork or installations at past Sneaker Pimps shows. Are there any Japanese artists you'd like to work with in the future?
PETER		Yeah one of my favorite artists, Yoshitomo Nara.I don’t know how well that would work but his work is incredible.
5D・KN		Do you have any particularly memorable events or episodes from past shows?
PETER		Oh yeah. Many times crazy things happen on tour. We have nearly been kidnapped, had our shoes stolen, we have got to hang with major Hollywood celebrities, got to go skating all over the world... We could be here all day if I were to tell you the specifics, but it’s been wild.
5D・KN		In 2004, Sneaker Pimps came to Tokyo. What was the reception like? What was the experience like, both personally and professionally?
PETER		Well back then the show was a lot smaller. Maybe like 200 to 300 shoes. Not too many well-known artists were involved in the show, plus it was my first international tour and none of us spoke Japanese. So it was very hard to promote the show and get down with all the locals but we had a fun time. We stayed in Tokyo for two weeks to check out all the stores and cool areas.
5D・KN		When can we expect Sneaker Pimps to touch down in JP again?
PETER		April 2007.
5D・KN		Tell us a bit about the Sneaker Pimps clothing brand. Who are you working with on the design side?
PETER		The Sneaker Pimps brand is something we have been working on for over 12 months now. I went through 15 different designers but couldn’t find anyone who suited what I wanted to do until I was in South Africa earlier this year on tour when I met Gary Duplessi aka Dr Zulu. He is an artist out of South Africa but has some amazing graphic design skills. He did a lot of work for SlamxHype. Anyways he did like 5 designs for me and straight away I knew he was best person for the job.
5D・KN		What is your view on the influence that sneakers, or the sneaker world in general, have on the broader worlds of art, music and fashion?
PETER		I think its the other way around Music, Art, Fashion has a huge influence on sneakers and sneaker culture. I mean this whole sneaker culture was born in the early 80’s in hip-hop.
5D・KN		What are your thoughts on the past, present and future of the global "Sneaker Scene?"
PETER		I think a lot of people have thought that the sneaker scene was just a fashion trend or fad? I don’t necessarily think it is, there may be certain aspects that are but over the last three years it has grown into a solid culture with all these activities and resources to support it i.e. customizing, sneaker specific magazines/websites, events etc.
5D・KN		As far as Japanese sneaker/streetwear brands, A Bathing Ape has exploded through out the world over the past few years. What Japanese brands, if any have captured your interest?
PETER		I love Japanese streetwear brands. They’re always ahead of the curve. KKOK, Madfoot, Tas, Visvim, Neighborhood…
5D・KN		Finally, as an event, it’s clear that the Sneaker Pimps has evolved as a representative of the worldwide sneaker scene. What are your visions for the future? Are there any plans or developments that you'd like to reveal?
PETER		Basically as the show grows bigger and bigger, we want to bring in all the cultures that influence and make up the sneaker scene in a much larger way i.e. live skate demos, huge hip-hop groups and get more diverse artists, street wear designers and toy designers involved with the show. Also, we’d like to develop the Sneaker Pimps clothing line and put out the first Sneaker Pimps footwear collaboration.