How Steven Smith Ended Up Designing Yeezys With Kanye West | The Complex Sneakers Podcast

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three co-hosts talk to Steven Smith, a legendary sneaker designer who's worked at New Balance, Adidas, Fila, Reebok, Nike, and more. While Smith was for many years best known as the creator of the Reebok Insta Pump Fury, he's recently reignited his portfolio by leading sneaker design for Kanye West's Yeezy brand. Here, he discusses his long history in the sportswear industry, battling with Nike, getting hired at Nike, and much more. Also, Welty takes a walk down memory lane, Joe takes us through his Amtrak history, and Brendan eats Italian food.
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COMPLEX is a community of creators and curators, armed with the Internet, committed to surfacing and sharing the voices and conversations that define our new America. Our videos exemplify convergence culture, exploring topics that include music, sneakers, style, sports, and pop culture through original shows and Complex News segments. Featuring your favorite celebrities, authoritative commentary, and a unique voice, our videos make culture pop.

[@Complex]

What do you think is Steven Smith's best sneaker design?

[@harrisonlynch351]

Bro ur pretty cute

[@nabeelk076]

700'z

[@Wetzelpretzels]

His New Balance work

[@dougmoesizlack9807]

The Nike Air Zoom Spiridon Caged and the Reebok Insta-Pump Fury were pretty dope designs but beyond those🤷 Also I'm not a Yeezy or New Balance guy so that eliminates pretty much all his recent stuff

[@donseyf]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3iZe4KPnrCWfKM

[@WiredPirate1]

When JLP goes into “introduction mode” and brings on the guest it’s clear to see why he has this job 100%professional and tbh that’s coming from someone who’s not his biggest fan. Still no denying his skills in that area props for that

[@DavidMaxwell_]

Ok?

[@MrxxSelfxxDestruct]

Likes old punk-hardcore bands, talks like the biggest 80's geek businessman of the silicon valley, designed waaaay ahead of their time shoes and dress like today's hypebeasts. Steven Smith, a legend of the game and one of a kind !

[@hugojime2196]

Steven is so underrated. But in the backdoor he changed the Sneakers game. Hands Down

[@MegaMuff420]

Backdoor? You mean background?

[@stefonlights3608]

Eeew we we’rem We’re ee we e E

[@stefonlights3608]

We were wee were red Mghhgehgg here go here we gm

[@stefonlights3608]

We’re r E we

[@stefonlights3608]

We’re Re we gggg Gmenggggg Gggg R Rrg I E Fr Game eee We’re

[@eshwaran1994]

Had the absolute honour of interviewing him a year or so ago. Super humble and chill dude and has such a unique view on sneaker design. Huge props to his ability to take inspiration from anything and turn it into a timeless sneaker.

[@zio3vi]

I love when Joe expresses all his Italian knowledge and heart 🇮🇹

[@ProjectDystopia]

1:08:46 Kanye West talk

[@User-lz6ru]

God bless you 🙌

[@zacharymutter8432]

Wish FSR had this kind of runtime, really look forward to you guys choppin it up every week. Great show as always gentlemen!

[@DavidMaxwell_]

Jeon is sweating rn

[@tumbus9117]

This guy has all the expertise and experience, he needs his own show in whatever format he’d want to do.

[@PokeSteven]

Steven Smith has huge influence in today’s greatest sneakers. Love the stories Steven hope you continue to make great shoes for a very long time!

[@josegurrola9021]

That Hello Kitty story is legendary lol

[@robertobarasa4095]

Steven is such an important character in the story of footwear

[@HightopRob]

I love to see Steven Smith and Kid Cudi do a collab with Adidas

[@_Jump_Man_]

That was wack for Welty's coworker for reselling the 14s

[@wesendhits]

I’m convinced Brendan smokes hella gas

[@BookerT69]

The AT&T hat is proof 🧢

[@drparham]

Welty set trippin is hilarious......... definitely g checked dunn

[@Chestermcfly420]

This episode really contributed to me going out of my way trying to get the waverunners and today is yeezy day and I took like six L’s in a row and on Yeezy supply I was finally able to hit and I was only able to hit on the confirmed app once for the yeezy quantum flash orange and they are beautiful shoes and I felt amazing with that one I have never hit on sneakers app ever I constantly buy stuff on StockX but actually hitting on the waverunners was like almost hitting the lottery I still feel like there’s electricity running through my body I am so excited I haven’t even gotten them yet obviously but just the thought of knowing that I actually hit On the waverunners is amazing and this episode just makes me feel even better because I learn about the history and the man behind the design

[@CA-xe4qu]

Steven smith pullin' up in a minor threat tee is hard af!

[@ScrubDusters]

550s are dopeeee the new colors yellow purple and green pair are hardddddd

[@TheJackle108]

Steven smith a true gangster. Thank you so much for all the hard work for the sneaker game 👟

[@Sneakahead555]

Those samples are beautiful ! The genuine laughter with sneakers involved is just amazing man. All of you guys knowledge on sneaker history is beyond insane 🔥 Another great episode 🔥

[@dougmoesizlack9807]

Best Sneaker Related programs are almost always from Complex Y'all got that Monopoly vibe going on👌

[@milo6890]

One of my favorite eps so far!!!

[@Jeffreynelius]

If the G’s don’t get you, the 9’s will! 😁

[@boejudden9011]

P H O T O S H O P

[@travelingman1186]

All these Iconic sneakers he created. And this Man says he is not a Millionaire. That is crazy and So bizarre.

[@samk168699]

This man is a legend

[@johng9361]

Love this show. Question why does the intro music sound like a '70s porno?

[@Balaji-gv2ud]

The hello kitty talk was ellite 😂

[@hungryepicboys8895]

Biggest regret was seeing Dunne on the subway near Metropolitan station and not saying I was a fan. It was late and I didn’t wanna bother him :,(

[@fresh-er8427]

Brendan rocked retro hat & SARU comics. That’s vintage! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@SEE_MORE_BUCKS]

Can we get a instapump x yeezy collab

[@jlmunny]

Shoutout Filene’s Basement in Downtown Crossing

[@XxRemotexX]

When he started talking about the Then and Now, he was sounding like Kanye himself for a second. Lol.

[@bennicbennicbennic]

Hearing the Empire Builder reminded me of doing 2 days in coach from Chicago to Shelby, Montana on that thing. Crazy trip for sure.

[@SlipperyPete42069]

I live close to Shelby Montana. Tripped me out to see it written in KZbin comments of a yeezy designer video!

[@kevincollins8620]

I have always been into punk. It's cool seeing a guy who works on kicks likes minor threat too. Punk and hardcore is the first genre I embraced.

[@jellybeans4you]

That Meow email 😂 😂 😂 ... what a story ! Great episode guys!

[@LikkleSlave]

I love hearing about sneakers from people who actually make them

[@cinzinc9205]

Such a great guy! I feel like I should buy a reebok fury now, not a fan of the silhouette, but to honor this man🍻

[@CookieCrumblez99]

Steven smith and Kanye’s relationship is just incredible

[@jcflorestx]

Man I love this type of shows,

[@d0ntchange]

Darn it Joe...now you going to make all the Hypebeast want my secret grails the Utility 500s and drive the resell price up...smh

[@Mathman420]

Literally came up with a question to ask and it turned out to be the one asked in today’s episode hahaha 😂

[@zithadon]

Spokane mention at 8:00 🤧

[@michaelmerturi5968]

Wow! Ted Forest is multi talented.

[@rashadjones]

Shout out Rocky Mount Amtrak station 💪🏾

[@_studio01_]

30+ mins yapping into podcast for the interview to start is egregious

[@lawrencejwalters-smith8671]

Dude said #Karmaloop wooow🤣

[@athoughtfulape]

Every Complex Sneakers Podcast episode is a treat, but the Steven Smith ones slightly edge out every other one.

[@justlove9750]

i love steven

[@jasonvillacourt]

Why isn't this viewed more?

[@Loz2008]

Thank You Steven!

[@MegaMuff420]

Steven Smith: Renowned sneaker designer and avid Sanrio fan 😂

[@benjames585]

Underrated

[@amilcarpolanen5994]

Amazing how many parts of youre life are connected by one person.

[@EEAREEYESSEE]

ITS PLUUMAAAAA!!!

[@donaldmackay422]

The fact that a guy who has made so many successful sneakers isn’t a millionaire is crazy

[@meekrodriguez6438]

Dope video.

[@Goldenxomedy]

Now I want every single shoe he designed

[@badfnews3521]

Who do you all think will have a bigger year in shoe launches ? Jordan , Nike , Adidas or Reebok ?

[@wasabid5185]

1:18:01 nearly the end of JLP’s Complex run

[@hanspeter5781]

the gunit sneak would be my absolut grails. hope it is the white g6 with blue and red

[@TwitterPaulsVersion]

What kind of brand of headphones is Steven wearing?

[@supremekickz1508]

Respects to Brendan for the nod to Tokyo Tribe. Real ones know

[@ivancalara717]

YEEZY talk 1:08:46

[@ianwilsonjr.8154]

Concepts has been out of Cambridge for a few years now. You could’ve hit up Deon, Welty!

[@dougmoesizlack9807]

Brendan Dunne is just that dude, don't get me wrong Joe La Puma and Welty are some heavy hitters in the Sneaker game but Dunne is just different, could be the moustache or maybe its just his immaculate&impeccable style that seems so effortless for him to pull off but homey does it on the reg

[@JB00092]

Found Brendan Dunnes account 😂

[@dougmoesizlack9807]

😂😂😂

[@BookerT69]

Nice AT&T 🧢 hat 🥴 thing bout to snap off his head 😂

[@kevincollins8620]

I have given away 5 shoes outta my 300 the last 4 years

[@Khushalsoni09]

What a great fucking episode !!

[@MClashers]

Did it replay Cudi clip at end?

[@jaymallo7859]

Steven is a great guest and I have a little more appreciation for NB now but I still can’t understand the hype and watching FSR I’ve never understood how Welty talks about NB in the same group of ppl talking about Jordan’s and Nike. I grew up me and my friends poking fun if we seen a friends dad with a pair on so when I see NB that’s what I see

[@christophlentsch2943]

Think he's wearing an Ikepod Megapod watch.

[@nickkalisz8178]

But where did he get that 307 hat?!?

[@wasabid5185]

Also more of this

[@NeeksnFreaks]

What are the NBs Welty is wearing?

[@Behzey2fly]

tinker HIMSELF was like, nah that kid is wack dont hire him... AND LOOK AT YOU NOW POPS....

[@davidfinley8777]

Legend ☝️

[@marlinthrower5137]

Good video

[@switchkrook5883]

anyone know what shoes brendan is wearing ?

[@funkopopmob3279]

Matt talks about workouts every week on The show but still looks the same! 😂💀

[@crimnvL]

the goat

[@hiluxshred]

What ever happened to The Game’s sneakers? The hurricanes

[@pepeletuce5599]

Brandon i have pair of the NB Bodega size 10.5 and i would like to trade it for my size 12 i did this coment because you say something about having sometimes different sizes!

[@ADULESSONS]

🐐

[@mychalbelcher9243]

How many niggas like "wtf is a sleeper car" ik I googled it

[@traviszenk4616]

I want to see the biggest regret nike. Anyone got the exact spelling for it? Google isn't helping me out finding a picture

[@stevensmith1189]

Thank God you can't find it.

[@jadengoddard7572]

Luke 13:3 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

[@kevincollins8620]

I always cop shoes that aren't my size.

[@bobbyb69]

Unpopular opinion. I prefer the no guest episodes and I would rather listen to these guys just bs...

[@rawsanity27]

I've never wanted a sneaker so bad that I'd buy it not in my size. I buy sneakers to wear. Can't understand that.

[@adrianh85]

Without Dad this feels dirty... even with JLP in the middle.

[@jakejake909]

This the pod bro. Not fsr

[@kevincollins8620]

Futura SB dunk... I could pass on em. Easy.

[@RecetasMaricel]

💧

[@dougmoesizlack9807]

I got a question for yas fellas; When you pick up a new pair of sneakers do you already have a outfit in mind to go with said sneakers before you even put them on ??? And also do you start your outfit with clothing then sneakers or sneakers then clothing ???

[@kemikal2570]

Damn I’m early

[@tippylosojos]

Its got to be Canadian(Quebec) Maple Syrup, not that sewage from Vermont.

[@stevensmith1189]

Hey now......

[@vincesimrd]

You mean wabi sabi

[@isaiahzmurray173]

Why was the first one deleted

[@AyyLmaoZedong]

Wasn't that the Full Size Run episode? That is still up

[@theguyonthecouch5581]

🙌🙏😎👍👟❤💯%

[@inspectah2342]

new york dudes wear shoes that are smaller than their feet if they are hot enough.