Dion Point, the creative director for Concepts, shares his journey in the sneaker industry. Growing up in Brockton, Massachusetts, he developed a passion for sneakers, despite their rarity in his neighborhood. He first got his hands on a Jordan sneaker when they were released in the 1985 edition, and it fueled his interest in sneakers.
Point discovered Concepts through a GQ article and decided to visit the store in New York. He was impressed by the variety of shoes they had, especially the high-end ones. He started working part-time at the store, memorizing SKUs, and learning about different shoe brands.
His first opportunity to collaborate on a shoe design came in 2007 with New Balance. Despite some mistakes, he learned from his experiences. Point is known for his minimalist and structured designs, especially with the New Balance "C Note" and the "White Lobster" sneakers.
Point emphasizes the importance of storytelling in the sneaker industry, explaining that each sneaker he designs tells a unique story. He believes in the evolution of footwear and the importance of creating an immersive experience for the consumers.
1. The speaker, Dion Point, is the creative director for Concepts.
2. Dion grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts and developed a passion for sneakers.
3. He got his first sneaker, the 1985 Jordan, when he was a child.
4. Dion started buying sneakers from stores in New York after he moved to the city.
5. He discovered Concepts, a sneaker store in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and started visiting it regularly.
6. He fell in love with the store and started buying sneakers from there.
7. Dion started working at Concepts part-time to get access to the sneakers he liked.
8. He learned about sneaker design and color codes from his work at Concepts.
9. Dion's first opportunity to design a shoe came in 2007 with a collaboration with New Balance.
10. One of the shoes Dion likes is the New Balance C note.
11. Dion has a preference for minimalist designs and structured products.
12. Dion received a pair of shoes from his friend James Whitner and Frank Cook, which he values highly.
13. Dion is a fan of the Jordan sneaker and owns multiple pairs.
14. The seventh rendition of the Lobster series was created after the first few attempts to create a shoe were unsuccessful.
15. Dion decided to create a new design for the Lobster series after the sixth rendition was successful.
16. The new design was inspired by art and the concept of creating a unique shoe for consumers.
17. Dion worked on the packaging, storytelling, and marketing plan for the new Lobster shoe.
18. The new Lobster shoe is described as an immersive experience for the consumer.
19. Dion is known for his storytelling and it translates over to his work on the product.
20. Dion appreciates consumers being able to explain to their friends and family why they waited in line or helped with the new shoe.
21. Dion hopes to see his audience again soon.