Interview with
Darren "Roach" Ly
David Santos: Since when have you been collecting sneakers?
Darren Ly: I started collecting shoes when I entered high school.
David Santos: What inspired you to collect shoes?
Darren Ly: At first it was just me wanting to be the coolest kid in school. Everyone liked the kid with the freshest pair of shoes and sometimes I believed that my Jordans made me play like Michael.
David Santos: That’s nice, but why do you collect shoes? Explain it as you were talking to an outsider of the shoe game.
Darren Ly: Ohh, limited edition shoes are like old relics. When they release once, then they will never release the same colorway or model again. The limitedness causes the price of the shoe to appreciate after you buy them. A pair of shoes I bought in 2010 for $230 are now going for around $350-$400.
David Santos: Does this happen for all shoes?
Darren Ly: No, only the ones that are limited to between 10,000-15,000 pairs. There are also many other factors that cause the value of a shoe to appreciate.
David Santos: How many shoes do you have in your collection?
Darren Ly: I have around 55 pairs. I had to sell some because college was becoming a financial burden.
David Santos: Would you collect shoes after college?
Darren Ly: Of course!! I love shoes and I really do not lose anything from having them. I can wear a different pair every day and sell them when I want a different pair. I think of it as an investment. For every pair I buy, I know that I can sell it for more than I paid.
David Santos: That is amazing. Thank you for your time, bro. I’ll see you in California in a couple of weeks. Take care.
Darren Ly: No problem. See you soon bro.