Mark: So when I was approached by Ronnie Fieg to do this project, I immediately thought of inspirational package designs I’ve seen done by other artists. I began researching engraved wood just to see the extent and intricacy some engravings can have, to give me an idea of the material’s performance. Then doing deeper research into Asics’s mission statement for their company, I struck gold. Wanting to “create the harmony of body and spirit with every product” is what really stuck with me from my research. Then from there, my mind went crazy with references, images, and memories. I knew a bit about chakras and the yin yang symbol and so forth. So why not bring in a few things and marry them all together. I took a bunch of symbols I believed summed up Mind, Body, and Spirit connection along with some baroque essence all into consideration. I thought it would be cool to look at the wooden box not only as a wooden box, but as a life force. Every life force has its seven chakras, energies which control a part of you. Yin Yangs and the Trinity knot are like the mascots of the whole Mind, Body, and Spirit concept. So it would be foolish not to include those into my thought process. The baroque art style has very decorative and classical aspects which I believed could be manipulated so beautifully. Creating decorative patterns and symbols, I had a lot to work with. However, I wanted each box design to have a nice classical and balanced feel to it with a bit of decorative flare. Something that you could look at 10 or 15 years from now and it still looks relevant to the time. Throughout the designs you’ll see a lot of abstraction and incorporation of the symbols informing you of the connection. So all and all I intended my concept to continue the teaching of mind, body, and spirit connection outside of Asics and Ronnie’s product onto its packaging.

I wanted to change up the RF logo a bit. I worked with Mark on this for a while until we got it right.

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22 issues ago I didn’t think this would be possible. In this business, getting the cover of Sneaker Freaker is equivalent to an artist winning a grammy or an actor winning an oscar. I’m still emotional over this one so let me start by thanking god.. hahahahaaa ok ok, I won’t go there. In all honesty this feels like a great accomplishment, it’s amazing to see how amazing things turn out when you push yourself to the limit. The “Salmon Toe” and “Leatherback” Gels mean a lot to me. I shelved both styles for over 2 years and waited for a celebratory moment to release them. These will release in the new KITH shop, release info coming real soon. Shout to Woody and the entire Sneaker Freaker team, great peoples.

Kith & Kin. That means friends and family. Kith also means to make known or become known in Old Scottish. When I began thinking about the concept of the store I wanted to keep things tight. I tried to create a friendly and personal environment with the highest quality footwear and attire for any occasion. I want people to come into the store and leave with a dope pair of shoes, and a feeling that they are a part of something special. My crew has been with me since the beginning and understand the importance of building relationships with each new face that walks through the door. “Just us,” that’s the idea. I want to make everyone that works in the store, purchases something in the store, or walks through the door, feel like they belong, and feel like family. My friends are my family. This is KITH.

(From left to right) Pj Monte, Angel Gonzalez, Mark Stewart, Francky Bendahan, Andy Oliver, Ronnie Fieg, Nick Annacone, Ryan Blackway, Adam Zenou, Gerard Clark, Sean Munro, Andrew Weinstein. Illustration by Mark Stewart.