Over the past two weeks, numerous communities have been affected by the raging fires in Los Angeles, resulting in extensive loss and destruction. For many people, this means losing a lifetime of memories and belongings in an instant. However, one specific tale of loss and hope that has been making news in the world of sneakers is the story of a man who lost around 200 pairs in the LA fires but has received an outpouring of support from the sneaker community.
A Story Of Loss
For most sneakerheads, the thought of even one pair of sneakers being scuffed or damaged is almost unbearable. Now, imagine losing over 200 pairs in a fire. This is the heart-wrenching reality that artist Sean Mount faced in the recent LA wildfires. His beloved collection, each pair a cherished memory, was either scorched, melted together, or reduced to ashes—except for a pair of checkered Vans, that is. And to say that he had an iconic collection would be an understatement.
A Closer Look At The Pairs In Mount’s Collection
Mount’s collection was a treasure trove of rare and valuable sneakers. It included sought-after Nike SB Dunks, such as the ‘Pigeon’ and ‘De la Soul’ collaborations, as well as pairs that fetch up to four figures on the resale market, like the Piet Mondrian and Ms. Pacman pairs. Among these were also some newer kicks, including Alexis Sablone’s ‘Chameleon’Dunk Low, which dropped in August last year, and the Poppy Field Dunk Low, which came out in December.
While Nike SBs made up most of his collection, Mount also owned Jordans, the Nike Adapt BB, Kobe Reverse Grinches, Reebok x Pharrell Ice Creams, and the list goes on. Yet few (if any) of these remarkable pairs survived the fires unharmed.
Hope Amid The Loss
Nevertheless, despite his significant losses, Mount has a strong community of sneakerheads looking to assist him in rebuilding his collection.
The amount of support and offers to donate shoes to help him get back on his feet (including from Californian artist Neck Face) is practically overflowing in the comments section of his Instagram posts. Some have even offered to upcycle his damaged pairs to create something new and meaningful. Seeing all these people from the sneaker community band together in times like these is certainly heartwarming.
For more touching sneaker stories, check out these parents who turned their son’s drawing into custom sneakers or this husband who was surprised with his dream Columbia Jordan 11s after making sacrifices for his wife’s nursing journey. And remember to follow us at Sneaker Fortress for more sneaker drops and reviews.
Let us know what you think about the sneaker community coming together to rebuild Sean Mount’s collection of nearly 200 sneakers destroyed in the LA fires.
