Photo by Tina Figueroa

I understand that you’re in the entertainment industry. What do you do and what effect does that have on your sneaker infatuation?

Well, I go by the name of Lady La, and I’m a radio co-host of a hip-hop morning show in my hometown, Phoenix. I’m also a VJ for MTV Tr3s, in PHX and sometimes Los Angeles. I’m the head women’s designer for Gone Corporate Clothing. And I’m a co-creator of thefreshfiends.com. I gotta wear shoes to all those places so that’s a direct effect… Shoes are my anti-work.

The radio, TV and fashion gigs are pretty self-explanatory, but what exactly is thefreshfiends.com? Is it some sort of female sneaker site, or what?

TheFreshFiends.com is basically a website that myself and my partner, Miss Summer, came up with to big-up the clothing and lifestyle we love. We do that through blogging and monthly photo shoots we drop on the site. It’s a freshness how-to guide, sans snobbery.

What is your definition of a sneakerhead?

There is no true definition of a sneakerhead, since it means different things to others. I guess my definition is anyone that goes to extremes to get a fresh pair of kicks.

Do you consider yourself a sneakerhead? And how do you feel about the current state of the sneaker game?

Yes, I do. I mean, I’ve traveled to other states to get sneakers, evaded purchasing Mother’s Day presents and paying phone bills so I could get sneakers. I love all things sneaker-related. The sneaker game is what you make of it, just like anything else that’s saturated right now. I cop what I like. End of story.

Since you have smaller feet than most dudes, do you find it easier to cop shit?

Yep! Shout out to Kendo in LA for holding me down.

How do you feel about the sneaker companies’ approach to women’s footwear?

I feel that companies are more creative with guys’ kicks. The last pair of women’s kicks I purchased was part of the Stiletto pack. Other than that, it’s been a minute.

In my opinion, if these companies keep looking too far back, they won’t move forward. What do you think?

Life is cyclical. We’re never gonna not look back. Yet we will always move forward… One kick in front of the other. Nothing matters before I came anyways.