Real Kick Collector of the month featuring Terrell Varner

What up folks? It's a new month, so you already know what time it is once more. This month's feature is on a person who I have come to know personally. He has the largest collections of anyone I know, hands down, over 800 pairs! What makes it even better is that he is a modest person, not caught up in all the hype, pomp and circumstance. He lives the collectors life. He buys what he likes and is not controlled by  what others may call "heat". So without further ado, I present Terrell, a Real Kick Collector if I ever met one. Enjoy.

How large is your collection right now (approximately)?
To put a number on it, roughly 850 pair ...maybe a little more..maybe closer to 900. Ive been doing this for a LONG time.  

What is the ultimate shoe for you?
This is a really tough question because I love shoes so much.  If you are asking from a balling perspective (since I play a lot of ball), then I would say zoom flight 2k3.  From just a cosmetic standpoint it would have to be Jordan XI Carolinas. 

 
If you could own a pair of shoes that are a hard to find collectible that wish you had taken care of as

 a kid. What shoe would that be and why?
I wasn't exactly a kid  ...BUT .....Gary Payton son of gloves white and black with the Carolina blue highlights. Wish I would not have dogged those so bad.  I just loved the look of that shoe in those colors.  Also the team I played with always put me on the best scorer of the opposing team ....so the whole locking people down thing like Payton fit.

Side note ....the black and white gloves come back out next year October :)

 What determines whether a shoe is a "collector worthy"?
There are alot of different opinions on this topic.  A lot.  The term "collector worthy" to me is relative.  It depends on the individual to me.  I have a pair of Jordan trunner lx2 Roy Jones edition and to most people those aren't considered collectibles but to me they are ....they have meaning to me.  Its collector worthy to me because it has meaning for me.  It doesn't have to have meaning to anyone else other than me. 

Does celebrity endorsement have an impact as to whether the shoe becomes one of the GOAT?
If you mean celebrities outside of athletes ...then NO.  If I see Common and Blackthought walking down the street in a pair of Lebron vii Miami nights ....I wouldn't rock because they would STILL be ugly to me.  Does the success of the athlete effect GOAT status? Of course.  I know I'm dating myself here but Weapons wouldn't have been Weapons if Magic and Bird weren't beasting people.  During that time, those two kept converse relevant. 

With your current collection, do you DS em or do you rock them?
  I try to rock all my shoes.  Some of them I double up because if i beat the first pair up I have to second pair to rock because I like them so much.  Kicks were meant to be worn.  Alot of my kicks are still deadstock though because I haven't gotten around to them yet.  Eventually I will ....I will TRY to retire after this year...running out of space. 

What are your top shoe hunting tips?
You have the usual stuff like getting to spots early or building with employees or researching. But, pay attention to the smaller spots.  Sometimes I go in places like Marshall's or Ross for kicks.  I got a pair of Jordan 2010 anniversaries in Ross for 49.99.  And they were legit.  Every now and then hit the outlets ....they are often a good spot for samples if you are into collecting samples.  I was in the Nike outlet and got a pair of Kobe V signing day samples for 21 even. 

What upcoming releases are you most looking forward to?
The Concords are a no brainer.  I will probably triple up on those.  Looking forward to some 2012 releases (if I don't retire) like cement 4's or a couple of XII's. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just collect for the love of it.  Shoes are like pieces of art.  They tell stories and are created from stories.  Rock what you buy.  Appreciate others who do what you do.  A lot of people will think its silly.  A lot of people will not understand why you collect but it doesn't matter.  As long as you are happy.  I appreciate anyone who collects kicks for the love.  It takes real dedication and commitment.  I've never heard of a lazy sneakerhead. 

Now on to some pics: