Ghetto Runways

Ghetto Runways | S4 EP 5 — Aleali May

Ghetto Runways

Show Notes

Aleali May pulls up to Ghetto Runways for a conversation about the journey that took her from Los Angeles to Chicago — and eventually to becoming one of the most influential women in sneakers, fashion and streetwear. Aleali takes us back to being 18 years old in Chicago, working at Louis Vuitton, discovering RSVP Gallery, and learning firsthand from the creative world surrounding Don C, Virgil Abloh, Easy Otabor and the early Chicago streetwear scene. She breaks down how working retail helped shape her understanding of fashion, finding RSVP through Tumblr, meeting Don and Virgil around the Watch the Throne era, and eventually leaving Louis Vuitton to become part of the RSVP family. The conversation follows her move back to Los Angeles, working with Guillermo Andrade at 424 on Fairfax, unexpectedly landing her first styling opportunity with Kendrick Lamar, modeling for brands like Stüssy and Vans, and entering the adidas world before reconnecting with Jordan Brand. Aleali also tells the story behind her first Air Jordan 1 collaboration, the inspirations pulled directly from Los Angeles culture and her family, her Jordan projects that followed, and how her career expanded into collaborations with Clarks, Mattel/Barbie, the NFL, Lids, New Era and more. Along the way, she reflects on Vashtie, Pharrell, Paris Fashion Week, Louis Vuitton x Supreme, hip-hop’s influence on fashion, representation, community, and why simply being outside and building real relationships changed the course of her career. This episode is about much more than sneakers. It’s about trusting your instincts, finding your community and turning the culture you grew up in into something the world can see. Guest: Aleali May Host: Alonzo Jackson Co-Host: Marcus Dane Producer/Director: Frankie Fabre Ghetto Runways — Season 4 Like, comment and subscribe to Ghetto Runways for more conversations at the intersection of fashion, streetwear, music and culture. #AlealiMay #GhettoRunways #jordanbrand #airjordan #virgilabloh #DonC #RSVPGallery #Streetwear #SneakerCulture #Fashion #Chicago #LosAngeles #LouisVuitton #ParisFashionWeek

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