Jacqueline Lee/E!Everyone who's anyone has a pair.
When it comes to luxurious sneaker brands, few come close to BUSCEMI. And you've got its creative director, Jon Buscemi, to thank for that.
Not only does the line have an insane amount of celeb fans (Kylie Jenner, John Legend, Ciara, Margot Robbie, Jourdan Dunn, Ruby Rose, J.Lo...the list goes on), but they also make every style with the finest leathers and high-end embellishments (like 18k gold locks, hand-painted edges and stitch appliques that take 24 hours to construct—NBD). To put things plainly, if quality is what you're searching for, you've come to the right place.
So without further ado, get to know the man behind this prestige American label.
What was your first job?
JB: Customizing hats.
How did you get into the industry?
DC Shoes gave me a shot with my style.
What's a typical day like for you?
Up early with the fam then off to the office in LA or, if we are in NYC, to the store. I like to meet with my staff all day and take lots of Skype calls with our Italian offices to talk the design side. Grinding.
Tell us about your office décor.
I like the mix of classic design transposed on industrial for a work space. We work inside a 1920s warehouse in Hollywood that has some modern touches, it works for me.
What are your favorite items on your desk and why/what do they mean to you?
My desk is a terrarium of curiosities. Organized confusion. I love the obscure finds from around the world that surround the desk: the Brabus notepad, custom Buscemi hammer, used for our shoe making and the Assouline book on NYC.
What's the best part about your job?
My company is special and the best part of it is my team.
What's the most daring career risk you've ever taken?
Starting BUSCEMI. I went against the grain. Started from scratch.
Who are some of your career heroes?
Ralph Lauren, Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin, Karl Lagerfeld, Damon Way and Ken Block.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
It's better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission.
What is BUSCEMI?
The pairing of a true, authentic idea that's based on reality, which resulted in the finest-made sneakers in the world.
What celebs wear your brand best?
Jennifer Lopez and Kevin Hart.
What trends are you loving right now?
Don't and have never really kept up with trends. I see guys tucking their shirts in with long belts, which is something we did in the '90s. Always loved that.
What's one trend you wish would go away?
V-Necks.
Who dead or alive would you love to see BUSCEMIs on?
River Phoenix and Daniel Day-Lewis.
What exciting things do you have coming up?
Opening our flagship store in Soho, NYC: 47 Wooster St.
Finish the sentences below:
Today for lunch I had…Croft Alley. A turkey banh-mi sandwich.
The first website I log onto every day is…highsnobiety.com.
My usual Starbucks order is…popcorn and lemonade for my son.
If I wasn't doing this job, I would…be a cook.
My favorite place to visit is…Kauai. Poupui Beach.
List five things on your desk right now…Hennessy Paradis, Macbook Pro, my Buscemi wallet, Brabus keys and collection samples for review.
The book I'm reading right now is…Dali & I: The Surreal Story by Stan Lauryssens.