DM: You've said that one of your primary goals was to get free stuff ( mine too, I'm a size US 11.5, hook it up). How much of your collection is made up of free sneaks?

Woody: Everbody likes free stuff and I did say that when I started! But it’s not like a truck pulls up every week and unloads a ton of shoes. I’m not too greedy, it’s not cool to put your hand out all the time. I would have to say that as I get older I’m a little more fussy so I don’t fiend as much as I used to. I think I’m a reflection of the retro revival, there’s a ton of obscure shoes I only dreamed of that have now been re-released and I eagerly snapped them all up. Vintage is killer of course and I have a few nice pieces, including some newly acquired deadstock LA GEAR (I know they’re corny but you should see them) with the lights in the heel - I mean you can’t wear them, the damn things fall apart. But think back about the retros - Safaris would be number one, Alpha Force, I love all the cross trainers especially Trainer 1s and 3s, Jordan 2s, Puma Disc Blaze and XS 850, Dee Brown Omni Lites, adidas Forums and Fleetwoods, Reebok Bringbacks etc - all great shoes and they have now been acquired so I feel that that particular urge has now been satisfied to a large extent. But there’s always new colours and brands and make-ups on the loose. I’m a big supporter of the indie brands like Run Athletics, RTFT, FEIT, JB, Pointer and Madfoot! - to me there is so much going on and it’s constantly evolving, which keeps everything fresh.

DM: There seems to be a lot similarties between sneaker culture and deejay culture. After deejaying got mega-popular in the late 90's it became impossible for DJ's to find a gem in a dollar bin. Are sneaker heads still finding gold in bargain bins and garage sales?

Woody: Yeah - this trend is already happening. A load of guys who sell and buy vintage have told me they only have 1-2 years left in business because it’s all dried up. The main thing is that their usual sources now know they might be onto something if they got a load of old stuff.

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