Equipment Prototype

In 1984, New Orleans hosted the last ever World Fair Expo, the only year a fair mascot was introduced. Politics have since used the fair’s iconic mascot – Seymore D. Fair, a large white feathered pelican wearing a baby blue suit – as the creative inspiration behind their rendition of the Equipment Prototype.

Politics
Needs
Equipment

Lafayette 131 Arnould Blvd
Lafayette, LA
70506, USA

New Orleans 226 Decatur Street
New Orleans, LA
70130, USA

216 Chartres Street
New Orleans, LA
70130, USA

9655 Perkins Road Suite D
Baton Rouge, LA
70810, USA

221 W. 2nd Street
Austin, TX
78701, USA

2822 Main Street
Dallas, TX
75226, USA

www.sneakerpolitics.com

Politics Dallas

Politics Baton Rouge

In Conversation with Lee Trahan, Anything & Everything
Samuel Breaux, Chief of Operations
Blaine McGowan, Product Designer

1. Please introduce yourselves.

We’d like to introduce three members of the Politics staff: Samuel Breaux, Chief of Operations; Lee Trahan, who does “anything and everything”, as he puts it; and Blaine McGowan, Product Designer.

2. The ’90s was a key decade in the history of sportswear. What was the first sports shop you visited?

SB: N.O.B.S. It was my first time going to a legit skate shop and I was blown away. Skateboarding was brand new to me, so walking into a place dedicated to my new love was amazing. It felt like I had found an oasis.

LT: Just For Feet, in Lafayette, LA. They had a basketball half-court where you could try out sneakers. I actually snuck in while my sister was trying some on.

BM: In my first year of high school, my mom took me to the skate shop, Rukus, to find uniform trousers because everywhere else had sold out. I thought it was so cool that my school trousers were Volcom Stone, instead of the traditional boring khakis that everybody else wore.

3. What is it about the Equipment line that you admire most?

SB: The longevity. I remember watching a video about how the OG pairs from the ’90s were still in great condition after decades of being in storage. Longevity and durability should always be at the forefront of sportswear.

LT: I love it when brands experiment with construction and builds that benefit the athletes. Whether it be proven or experimental, it’s ex- citing to see the growth and risks taken.

The Louisiana World Expo in 1984

4. The original Equipment line had products for all sports, from the mainstream to the niche. Which areas would you like to see have their own Equipment product today?

SB: Skateboarding for sure. It’s my sport! But, if I were to pick another sport, it would be bowling. I’d definitely love to have some better shoes to bowl in.

LT: Skateboarding for me, too.

BM: I teach indoor cycling in New Orleans, so I would love to see what adidas would do with a cycling shoe.

5. What is your favourite part of the collaboration process?

SB: The ‘blue sky’ process – ie. when everything is open for discussion. The ability to go wherever you want with a project and seeing where it leads you. Sometimes you just have to say, what’s never been done before? Then try your best to do something completely brand new.

LT: The storytelling.

BM: I really love seeing the progress of our ideas take shape into an actual shoe. That feeling of getting the first sample back is always euphoric.

6. What inspired the Equipment shoe you have created for Consortium 2021?

BM: I live and work in New Orleans and everyday I drive past Mardi Gras World, which still houses some of the original structures from the World Fair Expo in 1984. I love the idea of sharing that story with the world.

Equipment Prototype

Politics Needs Equipment

Politics Dallas

Politics Baton Rouge

In Conversation with Lee Trahan, Anything & Everything Samuel Breaux, Chief of Operations Blaine McGowan, Product Designer

The Louisiana World Expo in 1984

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