They say you can tell a lot about a man by the shoes he wears, which makes Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor quite the enigma—his massive sneaker stash is every collector’s dream.
Is there a pair that holds sentimental value? “All of them,” says the Bhavesh Joshi star, who was recently named the face of Converse in India. For those with a serious sneaker obsession, he recommends starting their collection right there with basic black Converse Chuck 70 High. “They go with everything,” he shares, also recommending low-tops and sneakers that are comfortable enough for all-day wear.
He's thrilled that the sneaker culture is blowing up in India, and puts it down to people being more in tune with what they want to wear or own. Availability too. “People shouldn’t need to travel abroad to get their hands on the special things they want. I hope for a future where everything is accessible here—where resources allow you to choose freely what to wear and what not to.”
We caught up with Kapoor to delve into his ultimate collector’s playbook.
Everyone knows you’ve got the hottest sneaker collection in town—but just how many pairs are we talking about now?
I don't have a count, but definitely more than 600.
What first sparked your love for sneakers?
I've always been a collector. Before sneakers, I was collecting clothing, shoes and jewellery. For me, it began at the age of 13, when I first began collecting films. It felt like a natural and organic gateway to exploring other things. As I grew older, I found myself increasingly excited about dressing up. Maybe it happened a little later than it should have, but I'm glad that it did. Collecting makes me very, very happy.
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Which pair in your collection tells the best story?
I sent a set of Converse to Chrome Hearts, the Los Angeles-based luxury brand. They accessorised my sneakers with sterling silver hardware—lace holes, lace stoppers, a dagger at the back. It was expensive, but those pairs are truly special. Chrome Hearts is the hottest brand in the world right now, in my opinion.
What’s your approach to styling a pair of sneakers?
I like what I'm wearing today, the way that these trousers fall over the shoes. I’m equally comfortable pairing them with shorts or a suit too. It is important to understand colours, but there aren’t any rules. You make the rules. That's what's exciting about this whole thing.
What are your thoughts on sneaker culture paving the way for thrifting?
Thrifting is like stories being carried forward. However, the concept has not yet caught on fully in India. People have this unfortunate point of view that buying something used or pre-owned is not a good thing. I don't believe in that at all, and collect a lot of pre-owned stuff.
Remember, there's no shame in buying something that's been pre-owned. It's good for the environment. Collector’s items are made to last a very long time. Slightly worn-out looks have their own charm and can often look even better than when they were brand new. You also tend to get a better price for them. Plus, when you decide to part with a thrifted item, you lose less money compared to selling a brand-new one. There are so many benefits to thrifting, especially when it comes to the expensive stuff.
Who are your go-to sneakerheads to share the passion with?
Anand Ahuja. I have friends from all over the world. That's the great thing about sneaker communities, they bring people together.
Is there a holy grail pair you're still hunting for?
That's the thing about being a collector—I'm always scrolling on my phone looking for the next thing. It never stops!