Tobey McIntosh’s streetwear journey is a testament to the power of having a pure heart and genuine passion. Since the age of 14, he’s harnessed his fervor for skateboarding and creativity by silk-screening tees for himself and his friends, which eventually led to the establishment of his own imprint: Crenshaw Skate Club. McIntosh’s fledgling streetwear label has garnered acclaim from high-profile figures like Justin Bieber, been sold through esteemed stockists Supreme and Union LA and secured collaborations with prominent partners such as Lacoste, Carrots, The Hundreds, and the Los Angeles Clippers. And through his apparel and accessory launches, he continues to amplify CSC’s grassroots ethos of representing and empowering inner-city skaters all while balancing being a full-time student atStanford University.
As Crenshaw Skate Club became more recognized within the LA streetwear ecosystem, McIntosh gradually fostered relationships with Nike and Jordan Brand. Together, they executed philanthropic efforts by spearheading community shoe drives, and this eventually led to an exclusive PE: the Crenshaw Skate Club x Air Jordan 36 Low. The limited-to-50-pair team-up served as a platform for McIntosh to imbue his brand’s narrative into a footwear silhouette, and it serves as the focal point of his Sole Mates feature.
We caught up with McIntosh to discuss the importance of being a catalyst for positive change in South Central LA, his favorite details about his Air Jordan 36 Low PE and what Nike SB silhouette he’d like to work on next.
Who or what got you into sneakers?
My stepdad has collected sneakers since I was a little kid. He was the first person to show me that they mattered. He had a lot of connections at local stores and would always get plugged early. I would also credit my love for sneakers to YouTubebecause even though I couldn’t afford shoes, I would always be watching unboxing videos to learn about new releases. As far as what I was wearing, I always skated in busted up Vans and Nike SBs.
Describe what sneaker culture was like for you growing up in LA and how it influenced you.
In LA, it was always about having the newest thing. The flyest people were those with the latest Jordan releases who got them a few days early and would rock them with matching shorts. It wasn’t about how big your collection was but more so about having the latest and greatest. I also noticed that LA folks would push certain silhouettes that wouldn’t transcend into other markets like the Nike Cortez.
Can you remember the earliest silhouette that you fell in love with?
The Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement.” I loved everything about them, from the elephant patterns to the black and red color-blocking. I always gravitated towards Chris Paul’s signature line as well, because I loved how he was usually the smallest-yet-scrappiest guy on the court. For skating, I always went for Vans Old Skools since they were cheap and I could run through them.
Another funny story I have is that I remember borrowing my mom’s Nike SB Dunk“De La Soul.” to skate in. I didn’t know how valuable they were at the time so I ruined them and she was livid once she found out.
“I was waiting for people to represent us in the industry and I feel like my friends and I symbolize that through Crenshaw Skate Club.”
What was your reaction when you found out that you got to work with Jordan Brand and why did you agree to work on a performance shoe?
My relationship with Nike and Jordan Brand has been building for the past few years now because they’ve supported my philanthropic aspirations. The first meeting I ever had with Jordan Brand wasn’t about a sneaker collaboration. It was about doing a shoe drive at my local YMCA. From there, we’ve done sponsored summer programs there and even partnered up to hand out Union x Air Jordan 4s to neighborhood restaurant employees.
From there, they ended up extending an opportunity for me to do my own Crenshaw Skate Club player exclusive and I was super excited about it. Even though most people only think about Jordan models 1-14, I was grateful and hyped to turn the 36 Low PE into something that I could skate in. It was a platform to work with the Jordan Brand team, bring in my best friends to help with the design and tell CSC’s story through a new silhouette.
What’re your favorite features on your collab and are there any hidden details that we might not understand?
There’s a brown stripe that runs throughout the shoe and if you see it in person you’ll notice that it’s textured to represent the apartment building I grew up in. One of the quotes on the inside of the shoes says “We’re the ones that we’ve been waiting for” and that’s a Barack Obama quote that I’ve carried throughout my life. Growing up skating in South Central LA, I was waiting for people to represent us in the industry and I feel like my friends and I symbolize that through Crenshaw Skate Club. Another fun fact about these shoes is that there were only 50 pairs made.
What does Tobey McIntosh look for in a performance shoe?
I just need sneakers with ample grip and flat soles. That’s what’s most comfortable for me when skating. However, throughout my life the most important aspect of sneakers has been accessibility. As long as they didn’t make me look goofy and I was able to skate in them, I was into them. There’s a website called 6pm.com which always has discounted Vans and I remember shopping there a lot.
“I was never a products-first type of person. It’s always been more about the story and the meaning behind everything.”
Skateboarding and basketball both live in the same ecosystem. The park that was closest to me growing up didn’t have a skate bowl or ramp, only basketball courts. I remember having to share the court and learn how to skate on one side while my friends would hoop on the other side. NBA tunnel culture nowadays is very much by skateboarding as you see Nike SBs show up as well as baggier clothing.
Why is it important for kids in your local community to see you giving back?
I’d say I’m more so in the business of building relationships and becoming integrated into the family of a brand. I was never a products-first type of person. It’s always been more about the story and the meaning behind everything, and Nike aligns on that too. A lot of its employees that I’ve met share that same ideal, so our partnership is a perfect match.
If you could work on another Nike or Jordan Brand silhouette, what would you want it to be?
I’d love to work on a Nike SB Dunk Mid. No one really touches that silhouette and I would want to change that stigma and do something special with it.
Why are sneakers and their stories important to you?
My love for sneakers inspired me to have a business mindset. I remember hosting yard sales and selling all of my old toys so that I could come up with enough money to print shirts and also buy new sneakers. I didn’t grow up owning a lot of sneakers, but my memories of wanting them pushed me to work hard.
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