Close Up: Aude-Julie in the Jordan 4 Blank Canvas
Words by Gregory Noonan
Aude-Julie Alingué is a Parisian sneakerhead and fashion designer who has been deep in the culture for years. In her time, she has been hugely influential in opening the culture to other women through her socials and her creative work with dozens of brands. She has pushed the industry to be more inclusive and open, all while running her own businesses. Basically- she knows her stuff.
So, to celebrate the release of the women’s exclusive Jordan 4 ‘Blank Canvas’, we sat down with Aude-Julie to chop it up and discuss her own journey with sneakers, favorite Jordan collabs and how to open the culture up to more women.
Meet Aude-Julie.
Which pair started your sneaker collecting journey?
The pair that really triggered my love for sneakers would be the Jordan 7 Cardinal in 2012. I was obsessed with them and started really documenting myself, being interested in materials, colorways and from then on started collecting a lot of vintage sneakers.
When you’re putting an outfit together, how important are sneakers to your overall style?
My sneakers will clearly define which mood I am going for and I tend to color match my clothing or bag to my sneakers. I’m a very shy person and sneakers have always been a way of expression for me.
Do you have any favorite women’s Jordan collabs?
I’m fond of a good story telling and I immediately fell in love with Aleali May’s Jordan 1 Shadow. I actually didn’t get them when they came out and found them second hand in a perfect state and not too expensive. I was so happy. I always support female collabs, I love that women are participating more and more and showing their vision.
The Off-White Jordan 4 generated a lot of hype when it released, do you think drops like that are a good way for women to claim their own space in the sneaker culture?
It was such a surprise that it was a women’s release. It’s so frustrating as someone with a smaller foot size, to be constantly left out when there are cool releases. So it was a good way to show that we exist, we are heard and have our space in this industry. We generate a lot of money and shouldn’t be left out. Sneakers should be gender neutral and all sizes should be represented whether men or women’s.
What are some things you see as barriers to entry for new female sneakerheads? And how do you think these things should change?
I remember when I started collecting a few years ago it was hard as a women because you couldn’t make mistakes on the dates and names of the sneakers you bought. You were kind of treated as a joke.
Either you need a huge collection or really rare sneakers to be taken seriously even though there is no one rule to being a sneaker head. It’s just about loving sneakers and the culture.
What’s some advice you would give your younger self when you were just getting into sneakers?
Oh wow I would have a lot haha! Buy whatever you like! Don’t’ care about what’s hype or not! Wear them! Be patient! And I think the most importantly, since I have really become eco-conscious and care more about quality - YOU DON’T NEED THAT MANY SNEAKERS!
Do you think there are things brands can do more of to reach women and cater to them better?
I have seen many brands collaborate more with women through sneakers but also having conversations and events, I love seeing it. Listening to what we need, giving us a voice and letting us know our vision is really important.
