All good things must come to an end. The final days of summer are upon us, and the crisp, cool site of fall is in clear view. To take advantage of what is left of the warm weather, we teamed up with Salomon to follow around two of our favorite NYC-based creatives, Aren Johnson and Jessica Gonsalves, as they try to soak up the rest of the “75 and sunny” days in the city.
After two years of sedentary and somewhat cautious living, people have returned outside and onto the streets in full force. Choosing to swap out binge-watching sitcoms for an adventurous day on the move, the culture has shifted to reflect the reinvigorated desire for an on-the-go lifestyle.
This much action requires a sneaker that can keep up with ever-changing environments, which is exactly what makes Salomon and its extensive line of multi-purpose sneakers the perfect shoe for the new age of aesthetic activity.
At the top of the day, we link up with Gonsalves at her personal studio space on Ridge Street as she rummages through one of the many racks of vintage clothes on display. She shows us some of her favorite art pieces in the studio and even takes a moment to flex her impressive collection of vintage Salomon gear before moving on to the next piece.
When Gonsalves isn’t collecting grails on her own time, she and her husband, Brian, run Procell, one of the most popular vintage stores in New York City that originated from the couple's shared love for archival clothing. Additionally, Gonsalves works as a style consultant, boasting a resume of notable names like Tainy, Cuco, and renowned streetwear brand, Awake New York.
Gonsalves preps some of her latest pickups to take to the tailor shop before they are ready for display in store. She styles herself in a vintage basketball jersey and multi-colored skirt to go with the Salomon ACS Pro Advanced sneakers she chose for her day on the move. Her shoes of choice exhibit a design from the mid-2000s with upgraded functionality to reflect her signature style, one that breathes new life into antique and aged garments.
The versatility of the French activewear brand’s portfolio of shoes offers increased comfort and multi-purpose style for every situation. The unique mixture of comfort, style, and durability, makes Salomon sneakers perfect for any occasion.
Later, we meet up with Johnson at a studio in Greenpoint that houses the Manual photography collective. As a creative strategist and photographer, Aren’s passion for constantly creating keeps him in motion. Working on a local and global scale, the New York-based content creator helps brands create longstanding memories that elevate and connect them with audiences worldwide.
During our time together in the Manual office, Johnson rocks a pair of Salomon’s Speedverse PRG sneakers while he plays some of his favorite records and shows off the vintage magazines stored on the shelves that he and his team lean on for inspiration.
As a re-interpretation of the classic Speedcross silhouette, the Speedverse acts as a bridge between outdoor activity and daily city living, challenging the status quo with a contemporary twist on an iconic look.
Soon after, we find Gonsalves lacing up her own pair of Speedverse sneakers at Luther Gulick Park as she gets ready to play a few tennis games, one of her favorite activities during her downtime. With shoes engineered with textile lining for extreme comfort and stability, Gonsalves moves gracefully across the court during her daily dose of exercise.
Once we meet back up with Johnson, we find the artist readying himself for a joy ride on his new Vespa motor scooter. After finishing up the day’s work, he makes a quick change, throwing on a pair fresh pair of Salomon sneakers to go with the rest of his fit, and heads out the door. We leave the studio and begin tooling around the city with Johnson, passing by crowds of people sharing the energy of a warm summer evening.
We end the day at the Williamsburg Bridge, one of Johnson’s favorite running spots, where we can finally take a breath and gaze at the picturesque view over the water.
As summer draws to a close and we all work to make up for lost time, life's daily motion seems to be constantly evolving. But having a shoe that adapts to your needs can provide clarity in an ever-changing environment. Salomon supplies comfort and unique style from the studio to the streets for those who choose to live their lives to the fullest.
Shop Salomon at salomon.com.
