Happy Kick-aversary K&F Gang!! That’s right, cue Anniversary by Tony! Toni! Tone! because today we’re celebrating 5 years of Kicks & Fros. What started out as an inspo page has turned into a brand and community for black and brown women to collaborate, connect, and innovate through their love of sneakers. We’re happy to have built such a beautiful community over the last 5 years and can’t wait to see what will happen in the years to come!
Now, let’s get to the questions for some reflections with our CKO, Melissa Chanel.
Kicks & Fros has seen tremendous growth and success since its launch. Share one goal that you have for Kicks & Fros in the future.
I can’t believe my baby is 5 years old! If I could share one goal, it would be a merch collaboration for sure. So many amazing women we’d want to collaborate with, just waiting on the perfect time. We will also continue to build community and support women in the sneaker space.
In 2021 and so far in 2022, as well, we have seen lots of brand collabs. If Kicks & Fros could collaborate with any brand, who would it be and why?
Oooh this is a good question. Ummm I would love for K&F to possibly collaborate and have merch featured in Footlocker! That was always my go to spot to cop kicks growing up, and we feel it would be a dope collab.
Also, a K&F Air Force 1 would dope, Nike call us! :-)
Debunking the belief that the sneaker world is male-dominated while carving out a space and place for women in sneaker culture is a big task with hurdles constantly being jumped; what keeps that fire and passion lit? And has the fight for equity in representation and opportunities gotten easier with the growth of K&F?
I would say seeing women in K&F merch and talking about how K&F has helped them find their sneaker style. That keeps me going!
Umm I wouldn’t say easier, but we have been able to network, meet like-minded people, and show up for the community through the years! So many more women are getting the opportunities I didn’t see us getting five years ago, and that lets me know we need to continue to do the work, and the results will follow!
Now this question may be difficult to answer but going with the 5 year theme; we have to ask it! What sneakers are currently in your top 5? And how do they reflect where you are with your personal style?
Geesh, this is a hard one lol. I would say of course the AF1 will always be in my Top 5, the Air Max 95 (a closet staple), Jordan 1 (it’s just a sleek silhouette), Air Max 1 (my husband has me addicted lol), and I’ve been rocking a lot of New Balance lately and love the 550’s.
I feel like they’re all sleek and go with my tomboy chic type of style. I can easily wear any of the sneakers I mentioned with dresses, blazers, matching sets, jogging suits, and of course my K&F merch!
May is also Mental Health Awareness month; have you experienced any negative self-talk, fears, or doubts over the last 5 years? And if so, what advice would you give your past self on checking that voice in your head?
Mental health is so important to me, and I try hard to stay positive, but self-doubt and a little impostor syndrome does creep in sometimes. I try to always remind myself of my why. Journaling also helps, yoga keeps my mind clear as well, and knowing that I’m doing something bigger than me.
I would tell my past self to DO YOU! Stay positive and know that your hard work will pay off, so don’t second guess yourself. :-)
We have so much love and gratitude for our K&F Gang! Thank you for rocking with us the way you do, believing in our brand, and most of all, sharing in our love of kicks and being a part of this community with us. Whatever comes next for us, we hope you’re along for the ride!
- Brittany Brown