By Daryl Lim
Resellers. A lot of people in the sneaker community don’t have love for them, but more often than not, when a person can’t find that heater they always wanted, resellers become a sneakerhead’s best friend.
Meet Jibreel Pakanna Deocareza, the man behind Kicks Vader. Unlike other resellers, Jibreel actually loves the game. He rocks the sneakers and keeps them for himself. His online store, Vader Kicks, is kind of the exact opposite of what you’d think of when it comes to the name Vader. You think Vader, you think of the villain, but Jibreel’s goal has always been about what Anakin did in Episode VI: the guy just brings balance to the Force, which in this case, is helping people find their grails at a decent enough price that won’t overly hurt your wallet. We talked to Jibreel recently, and here’s what he had to tell us.
1. When did you get into sneakers? Who or what got you into it?
I got hooked into it when I was a kid, and the love for the culture just grew from there.Actually, it was my brother Jemeel and his friend Andrew, that got me into the shoe game, and all I can say is, yes, I do have a legit love for sneakers .
2. When did you start your business?
I started back in 2015, selling sneakers to people in my campus, then I started shipping heat pairs outside the country through social media and some other websites.
3. Why sneaker reselling?
If you have the love for it why not sell it, right? There really is a market here, if you just know its history .
4. What do you think of resellers who sell for just money and not to even own a pair for themselves?
For me, you can’t call a sneakerhead legit if he doesn’t even cop for himself . Resellers are different than real sneakerheads. Sneakerheads have more knowledge about sneakers, knowning the tech, or the shoe’s history or importance, while resellers just look for stuff they know they can just make money out of.
5. Top 5 sneakers of all time?
- Jordan I Pinnacle
- Jordan VI (2003/2014)
- Jordan III OG 88
- Adidas Yeezy 350 Boost V1 in the Turtle Dove colorway
- Jordan X OVO
6. Top 5 sneakers you wish you had but never did?
- Jordan XII OVO
- Jordan II Just Don
- Jordan V x Supreme
- Jordan I RSBB version 1
- Adidas Yeezy 750 Boost
7. Sneakers you are looking forward to in 2017?
Jordans, Yeezys. Those are hot.
8. Are you planning to expand towards selling streetwear brands at a decent price? Say, Supreme or BAPE?
Definitely. As a streetwear guy, I know how tough it is to acquire those kinds of streetwear pieces. If I could help people get their grails, why not, right?
9. Name us three entertainers whose sneaker game and clothing game are on point in your eyes.
- Kanye West
- DJ Khaled
- Drake
10. If you could describe your sneaker game with three songs, what are they and why?
“Forever” by Drake, Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne and Eminem. “It may not mean nothing to y’all, but understand nothing was done for me. So I don’t plan on stopping at all, I want this sh*t forever mine, ever mine” That specific line mentioned by Drake, like the meaning of it to me is like, for others, they’re just kicks, but for me, it’s a game that provides for me, and at the same time, gives me a shot to get what I want, and I’m not planning stop until I hit the top.
“We Taking Over” by DJ Khaled. It’s like I’m taking over against each and every other competitor that I compete with. Gotta always have that little mental edge to stay ahead.
“Dat $tick” by Rich Chigga. Well, haters are always going to hate, but still I just (got) the game the way I know how.
