Josh & Brandon Brubaker, Supra and Converse
A Clyde Singleton Production
In this century, there’ve been plenty of famous brothers. The Wright Brothers. Blues Brothers. Jackson 5. Da Bee Gees. And I ain’t ’een gone count them Jonas dudes in, due to their dangerously low levels of swag. But y’all know where I’m goin’. Anyhow, these are the Brubakers: Brandon and Josh. Me and these boys go back like some spinal cords. I first met Brandon when he popped up on my doorstep in LA with a bag of random sample kicks, which we’d all come to know as 4ce Footwear. After letting him in the gates, I realized not only had he been swag-splashing the shoe game since ’96 but, he was a force to be reckoned with in the future of footwear. Step into 2008. Now the new bawss of all bawsses over at Cons footwear, as well as the proud father of his first baby girl. The future’s looking brighter than ever for Brandon.
As for Josh, tha’s my nukka! Young Jeezy’s been in the shoe game a little over five years, and this dude has been straight hurtin’ feelin’s! Look if your resume includes designing for Sole Technology. How ’bout head designer for Supra? And being the man behind the Chad Muska Supra Skytop? I don’t think you’d have much more to say. But we ain’t tal’m ’bout your resume! And Josh has a lot more to say with the launch of Supra’s new NS line. Truth be told, I don’t think there’s much that can stop both these dudes moving forward. So without further ado, ladies and gentleman, it’s my honor to introduce none other than the Brothers Brubaker. (R.I.P. Mr. Brubaker; I know you see this from the heavens above, so kick ya feet back and smile. These kids are carrying tradition like none other.) Folks, y’all are now in tune with the finest. Jeah!
How’d you guys get into designing shoes?
B: I just basically fell into it in 1996. Met this cat that was the head of design at Vans and he asked me if I could crack off some designs. And the rest is a wash… Been doin’ it ever since.
J: My brother.
What’s your favorite shoe you’ve had a hand in designing?
B: Can’t name just one, but my faves are Vans Rowley I, Cardiel, and Hassan, and the shit you haven’t seen from Cons yet.
J: The Skytop.
What were some of your early influences, as far as shoes and designers?
B: You can’t fuck with Chuck Taylors, just how simple and dope it was and is. Timeless designs, that’s my shit.
J: Skateboarding, music, and just noticing shoes from a young age. Designers I always looked up to? My brother as the illest.
Does a designer need to put his own personal stamp on his designs? Or should he stay true to the brand?
J: Yeah, having your own style is very important, but you need to know how to design outside of your box. To me, designing a product that works for a company that is not your style, that’s what makes you a good designer. I feel like my style is always evolving, because there are a lot of things that inspire me. I was lucky to learn about how the shoe game works from watching my brother, before I actually started working for a brand.
Current shoe design is obviously in retro mode. Do you think design was better before, or is this just a trend playing itself out?
B: I don’t think about that bullshit.
J: That’s a tough one. I love retro shoes, but I love originality more. I think we’ll see a lot more retro/futuristic designs in the near future. High tops are back.
Alright; three worst shoes of all time.
B: Too many.
J: There are too many bad shoes to only mention three.
Three favorites?
B: All the kicks my baby bro does. He is ahead of the game! Couldn’t have a better homie.
J: Right now I’m feelin that Raf Simons Vandal boot, that Lanvin high top in magenta, John Varvatos Chuck Taylor highs. High tops all day!
Josh, you ever steal ya brothers kicks, skate in ’em, then clean ֦’em up, and put ’em back without thinking he’d notice the ollie marks?
J: Nah, we’re eight years apart, so his shoes were way too big for me growing up. Plus he always had me laced anyway.
Brandon, you’re a father now. Besides me peeing on your couch, how’s life changed of late?
B: Besides having a couch that smells like pee? You know homie, my daughter’s the best thing I’ve ever designed. Donavyn, you’re my heart! Baby-D represent.
What’s the most you’ve spent on a pair of shoes?
B: I’m not into that shit. Pampers have taken the place of shoe collecting.
J: $350.
Okay, the Mayor needs to know: What influence do trips of the Rover to Mars have on your shoe designs?
B: Red kicks?
J: The Mayor is trippin’! I don’t get all deep with influences. I surround myself with good people and friends I have had since I was in elementary school.
Who’s got the worst feet? Me, Tyrone Biggums or Brandon?
J: You take the throne on that one.
Are y’all familiar with a “club fossil”? It’s when you’re at the club gettin’ wavy and some chump step on ya shoe, and leave that ungawdly mark atop it. The shyt’s straight disgustya. So, when’s the last time you were the recipient of the club fossil?
B: Can’t remember my last club experence, but people better watch their step.
J: Yeah, I hate that. It’s been a while.
Where do you see design going from here?
B: No limitations. I’m just gonna keep on making ill shit.
J: High tops getting even taller and just more shoe companies trying to push the envelope of design.
Thank ya both for ya time.
This Feature is also available in Vapors 49 – The Sneaks Issue
