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For Perth’s longtime sneaker collectors, a pair of shoes can hold a basketball memory, a music reference, a design story and a connection to other people. In interviews published by PerthNow on 1 September 2023, collectors described a local scene that had become more visible and accessible than when they started, even as hype and resale prices made some sought-after pairs harder to get.
What first drew Perth collectors to sneakers?
For several of the collectors, the first spark came from basketball—and from a particular shoe or player rather than an abstract interest in collecting.
- Adam Westerhout remembered wanting Air Jordan VIIIs as a child.
- Luke McKenzie traced his interest to Jordan Concords.
- Matt Majka pointed to Jordan XIIIs and his background as a b-boy.
- Melvin Poon’s focus was Nike LeBron shoes.
- Yujun Chen said Jay-Z’s “Otis” video led him to the 2011 Jordan 1 Retro Banned.
Those starting points show how a shoe can arrive with a story already attached: a player, a period in basketball, a music video or a memory of wanting a pair as a kid.
Why do the shoes matter beyond their function?
The interviewees described sneakers as design, history and personal expression—not simply something to wear. McKenzie saw shoes as a key part of an outfit and named the 2009 Jordan 11 Space Jam as his personal GOAT. Chen said he collected Jordans by colour and regarded them as art. Adam Sugiarto spoke about how colour and materials contribute to a shoe’s story, while Majka valued the people and periods associated with particular designs.
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Nostalgia also matters. A pair can recall the first time someone followed a player, watched a video or encountered a style. For collectors, learning that context can make a shoe more meaningful than its rarity or resale price. Majka put it this way: “Dig deeper into why you love those particular shoes or why they resonate with you.”
How did WA’s sneaker culture change, according to collectors?
The collectors interviewed in 2023 described a scene that had become easier to see and participate in, with more people comfortable wearing sneakers in everyday settings. Westerhout welcomed that wider acceptance: “The good — it’s awesome seeing so many people embrace sneaker culture and being able to wear some J’s to work or dress them up for a night out and no one thinking twice about it.”
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He also described a downside: “The bad — it’s harder to get certain sneakers and people charge ridiculous resale prices.” These are his impressions, not a measured account of Perth’s sneaker market. The feature does not establish a current statistic for the scene’s size or economic value.
The feature’s collection counts and price recollections offer snapshots of what individual interviewees said at the time, not an audited inventory or a current price guide.
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| Collector or example | What PerthNow reported in 2023 |
|---|---|
| Adam Westerhout | He said his collection had once exceeded 150 pairs and recalled selling a pair of Nike Air Yeezy 1s for $5,700 after buying them for $350. |
| Luke McKenzie | More than 100 pairs, according to the feature. |
| Yujun Chen | 30 Jordans; he estimated the “current-day replacement value” of his 2011 Jordan 1 Retro Banned at around $5,000. |
| Matt Majka | He said he had reduced his selection to eight pairs. |
| Melvin Poon | The feature described a collection of 215 LeBrons. |
These figures are interview details reported by PerthNow in 2023; they do not establish what any pair is worth now or how many shoes the collectors own today.
Collecting, wearing and resale: how do they fit together?
The collectors’ accounts suggest there is no single right way to take part. Some keep a large collection; Majka described deliberately reducing his to eight. Others connect collecting with wearing shoes as part of a personal style. Westerhout’s advice was concise: “Do your history.” That means understanding why a shoe matters to you, rather than treating scarcity or resale value as the only measure of its appeal.
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Condition is part of the decision for people who wear or keep older pairs. Westerhout described selling a pair after concerns about deterioration. Cleaning and restoration are available as product and service categories: Aether Care’s catalogue lists cleaning kits, brushes, solutions and protector spray, and its FAQ covers care guidance and restoration services. Those listings do not establish what is suitable for every material or verify that any collector in the feature used the products or services.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why is community part of the shoe game?
Shared interests helped collectors meet people, trade and form friendships. Jay Mijares, co-founder of The Kickz Stand, described sneakers and streetwear as a way to bring people together: “Our community is more than just sneakers, it’s a way of life.” Jamal Diallo, founder of Sneakerland, made a similar point about the conversations a pair can start: “It’s crazy how a pair of shoes can open so many doors for people to connect and talk.”
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PerthNow reported that The Kickz Stand’s co-founders put their Facebook community at 48,000 members in 2023. That is a figure reported at the time, not a current membership count. The same feature reported Sneakerland expected more than 7,000 attendees and cited more than $2 million spent at the prior year’s event; it did not provide an independent audit or an attendance result for the forecast.
What should Perth sneaker fans know about events now?
The event dates discussed in the September 2023 feature are historical. For current information, check the official SLAND site, which describes a January 13–17, 2027 RAC Arena event connected with HoopsFest and presents SLAND as a yearly celebration of culture, fashion, art and talent. Confirm the dates, event branding and ticket details on the official site before making plans.
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