Nicole McLaughlin Turned Scraps Into Massively Cool Sneakers | The Complex Sneakers Show

Designer Nicole McLaughlin, who started out in the sneaker industry as an intern at Reebok before her quirky upcycling creations ever went viral, is ready to expand her footwear portfolio with a new collaboration from Hoka on its Mafate Three2 model. In this episode, McLaughlin relives her resume, from the Reebok years to her time at the Adidas Farm in Brooklyn (with a Kanye West cameo) to making her own collaboration with Vans. McLaughlin, queen of upcycling that she is, also gives tips on thrifting and turning old items into new shoes. Elsewhere, Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss the best Nikes of 2024, how to wear Off-White Nikes, and the latest Adidas Yeezy drama.
Chapters:
0:00 - 2:38: Host Intros
2:39 - 14:10: Nike 2024 Sneakers Preview
14:11 - 17:48: New Balance 991V2
17:49 - 24:29: How to Wear Off-White Nikes
24:50 - 25:36: Fairfax is Dead
25:37 - 29:29: The Latest Adidas Yeezy Drama
29:30 - 32:05: Nicole McLaughlin Joins CSS
32:06 - 35:17: Nicole McLaughlin x HOKA Mafate Three2
35:18 - 37:42: Sneaker Cam
37:43 - 42:28: Nicole’s Design Process with Hoka
42:29 - 43:44: Learning How To Make Shoes
43:45 - 49:16: Working at the Adidas Farm in Brooklyn
49:16 - 51:49: Upcycling Creations
51:50 - 58:29: Nicole’s Thrifting Tips
58:30 - 1:04:05: Hoka’s Gaining Popularity
1:04:05 - 1:09:26: Sustainability in Sneakers
1:09:27 - 1:10:12: Outro
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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’s the most athletic thing you’ve done wearing crocs?

[@freedoe9160]

Skateboarding a 8 stairs

[@ParkayCollecttibles]

Not wearing them 😂

[@SevenHunnid]

Hey Im mexican & on my KZbin channel i do food reviews 😂

[@C0nzilla]

Jumped to conclusions

[@perc9-4]

I never owned a pair I always thought Nike slides were better

[@Paperboy392]

I wish they brought back the “ask a question, get a free pair of shoes” always loved that part.

[@671oneblood]

Too many fools complaining they can't allow people from outside the states win.

[@zio3vi]

@@671onebloodI think they don’t do it anymore cause eBay is not longer a sponsor

[@bigdaddygucciabg836]

That was ebay

[@Z1ggo]

@@671onebloodnever got that, why cant they tho? its literally like 20 bucks extra shipping lol

[@maricuchisdelafuente]

It could just be complex swag… some merch

[@nathannuanes5779]

Episodes with guests like this is one of the many reason why we keep watching.

[@kuzmanator]

Perfect episode of the pod. Amazing guest, great questions and conversation. Bring on more female guests and designers, please! I was aware of Nicole's work before but now that I know more about her, her background and process I'm really inspired.

[@kyleelliott512]

This was an awesome episode. Love humble genuine people like this on these episodes. Also the 4 of you thrifting needs to be a side episode.

[@biosfearmag]

This has been one of my favorite episodes so far. Really interesting designer making some really dope shoes. Can't wait to see what she comes up with in the future.

[@RicoRenzi]

Nicole is a GENIUS! Thank you!

[@qu.illan3]

Never stop this podcast !!!

[@benjimarshallbra]

I loved this interview. Her designs are very unique which is amazing.

[@rawsanity27]

A girl that loves eBay & Hats , absolutely in love right now. And spelling it wrong is a good tip. I wanted Las Vegas 51s Hat with classic Alien Head logo. They rare and will run ya like $100-150. Just typed in "alien baseball" hat, and found one brand new. Got it for $30 cause the person didn't know what they had. That really is how ya can get good deals, she knows her stuff.

[@stinastogs]

Please keep having rad women in the sneaker space on the show! Awesome episode. Congrats Nicole!

[@JHillNC]

Great episode, great guest! I enjoyed learning more about Nicole and her design projects. She's very talented and also has a unique aesthetic.

[@stonekeper]

Love her work!

[@C0nzilla]

Oh my god I have been waiting for this for ages!! She's incredible

[@ghost.hardware4931]

This was such a great episode. After following Nicole for so many years, it was great to finally hear her on the pod.

[@Hirosama23]

great guest LETS GOOOO

[@sevendaysin8374]

Yes! Nice to see Nicole finally on the show after following her work for years!

[@samirode6024]

she is literally a goat in the shoe game ,love her !

[@Prawjjek]

@@samirode6024just in fashion art in general

[@Sneakahead555]

Kick game properrrr ! Straight into it ! I really love her Hoka’s, very unique designing well done. I really enjoyed the Thrift shopping conversation and the eBay tip was great ! Such amazing conversations ! Great job, guys !

[@2g4u7y]

Sheesh. What a genuine, talented, nice gal.

[@joshuadnicolas]

im such a fan of nicole, when i saw she was on this episode i audibly gasped

[@thebros8157]

"we're so stuck in our sneakerhead ways" and I completely agree. Personally, that's why I was attracted to Salomon's and HOKA's because not only they look different than anything that's out right now currently.

[@luarr107]

Really wish this episode was longer. such an interesting and engaging guest.

[@GeekyGalore]

Big episode, been following her work for awhile now!

[@jacobsmith8403]

OG Tn colorways coming 2024!!

[@Freeskiingisdabest]

Nicole’s great! Super episode.

[@frankbombaci4977]

I’ve been following Nicole for a WHILE on IG She’s such an inspiration 🙌❤️‍🔥

[@dyrellehart7887]

Got my girl the Van's collab she did.. she hasn't been in the garden yet.. but she loves them

[@Wavestarter_TV]

I’ve been following her for years …happy to see the success

[@hjt473]

Great episode, followed Nicole’s work for the longest time. Would love to see Jim Moore return or Tiffany Beers who’s got an amazing history is the sneaker space.

[@wikedwun]

Copped her Hokas this morning🙌

[@saleswaterfront]

the episode i been waiting for fr on gawd

[@perforce1]

Love Nicole’s energy, seems like she would be fun to work with!

[@intrnsition24]

That top with the watch cut out in the sleeve. Talk about Y2K late 90s style. Brought me back

[@loganjbaez]

Matt W. the 991 v2 i feel that opinion of yours cause its a new silhouette 🙌 its an upgrade to the v1 shape is perfect to me and more but im keep it short. glad to hear that from you Wooooooo ✊️🙏

[@brettboywonder1381]

Brendan!! Next time you're in Portland, I'm always down for a game of Wingspan!!! I remember you bringing it up a while back, but forgot to mention it! Always down and we can hit Nong's and the place I roast coffee is just a few blocks away and we can set up the aviary's!

[@jcgear0069]

The only Hoka i even considered but, sold out quick, and now selling for 4oo+, great story was ready to support, I guess ill catch her next collab

[@geoffkeough9728]

stash 95's are such a dope pair. can't you sole swap the 95's if they dissolve or they're toast?

[@a_ron4]

Great episode!

[@deanwallace5296]

Congratulations Nicole, greetings from Australia would def come to a Complex Sneaker Show listening if you had one🧐

[@Nulljpg]

36:21 wingman of the year

[@rakemup.]

Jordan 4 SB is a contender for top 10 SOTY prove me wrong

[@SSGVB]

Brendan’s existential crisis with shoe size 😂

[@Xxlmartian]

I’m sensing a love connection for Mr Dunn

[@cryptoaj]

Suprised you guys haven’t discussed the new Nocta glide I like the white and red pair a lot

[@thomasvoss1090]

Top 5 Ep for mine. TY

[@vincenttyler4667]

@Brendan dunne. Swap the insole and size down on AF1 and it keeps from creasing as easily

[@malontedavis304]

The New Carhartt 990v6 is the Best Sneaker of the Year

[@B-Rad]

Didn’t like them initially, but I’m gonna have to agree.

[@AttsRealm]

10:04 - 10:14 most wholesome podcast moment

[@snipa3772]

"oohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yeeaaaaaaaaauuuhhhhhhhhhhh"- Welty

[@thomaspayton_]

Good episode

[@rusq1mf]

Oooppp I think Brendan has a crush ❤❤❤

[@Corneliousssssss]

W episode

[@hiruys]

Out of respect for Vigil; I would never take the tag off my Off Whites. His vision should be respected. RIP

[@Metroboom808]

Since I'm a Jordan retro lover / player I think Jordan brand should take that blue and black elephant print on y'all back ground screen and put that color on a pair of black 3s cause I need those asap.

[@robertwojcik4458]

The Jordan 4 sb is the sneaker of the year

[@tedztlee]

Ostrya toque go hard

[@moeboom43]

Common Complex Sneakers Show W

[@kxs65]

thirsty first comment

[@mrotaveria]

Never had an Off White AF1, and I think I'll never have the money to buy one. But I'd totally cut that tag off.

[@Dill_doh]

32:38 OHH YEA

[@990v6]

i didnt catch - what did welty say is shoe of the year?

[@arress2052]

NB 991 V2

[@990v6]

thank you @@arress2052

[@malontedavis304]

Nike Sportswear Raised the Bar 2024 🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@YoungAmzn]

Need Action Bronson on the pod..cmon guys.

[@Sean_Doeski]

i got a pair of black cat 4’s on ebay for almost retail because of a misspelling name

[@bsargeant88]

These HOKA look very similar to stuff La Sportiva has been making for years (i.e.Uragano GTX or Cyklon). La Sportiva's are just much more sleek and sporty. Great interview though. Congrats, Nicole.

[@heronshorts]

I keep the tag on my off white, rip virgil.

[@MikeyMooks]

Penny half cents are fire, y’all are trippin with that take. I still have my eggplant pair from 2010 which I still break out 2 or 3 times a year, I had a cranberry pair too but traded them for red g shock & a Gucci strapback hat in 2012 😂

[@addnamehere____5568]

That intro was looooong

[@THEREALTUNAWAHOO]

TUNA WAHOO was here 11/3/2023

[@sakuniee]

Anyone know the ID of the beanie Nicole is wearing???

[@mr_sneaks1381]

she is inspiring me to put a carhartt logo on the new SB dunk wheats lol

[@onthemyktvmike923]

do you think the covid comfort vibe played into hoka success?

[@chaimverde]

🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐 a real goat is in the building

[@Madstubborn]

It’s my birthday

[@TheSneakerBench]

Happy Birthday @BigDefMuter82

[@itzT0ne7]

Shoes falling apart is a part of the Game

[@sneakerdad8324]

MW - Winnie the Pooh Dunne - Eeyore JLP - Tigger

[@bern717]

So clear that Welty is NOT a Halloween guy 😂😂😂

[@joser7894]

He’s an outdoorsy guy he don’t play no games

[@TheMustangs05]

great episode loved the guest wish she could explain more about kanye

[@rakansoubra284]

Find someone that loves to talk about JLP like JLP talks about JLP

[@jaykendall7468]

This is long over due

[@diydan2213]

There's a cool ebay account I shop for hats from.. this person has them super cheap.. "fashionably faded" I think is the account, I saved the seller so I don't have to remember but its something like that. They have a lot of shirts too but Im not into Tees.

[@maricuchisdelafuente]

28:00 let the man be out of the spot light …. People reaching for his name to get some attention 🤫

[@zongoso]

JLP is Twizzy Rich

[@jbr2899]

😎

[@Dubb910]

I dont think many real sneakerheads are leaving the tag on off whites because shoes are what we do. I think its the people that want to be noticed....Makes no sense wearing the tag no way its not annoying....

[@tweef79th]

If they ever got the chance to get YE on the show they would be on his 🥜

[@qu3nt]

why JLP drinks from an urn btw?

[@givent1GOD]

MAY GOD Bless U🙏🏼⬆️

[@starling9373]

Penny half cents went triple platinum in the hood

[@theenatewhite]

Brendan hates Kanye

[@671oneblood]

Welty dont celebrate Halloween. Jesus says its evil 🤣🤣🤣

[@loganjbaez]

Brandon go down to a 9.5 on air force bruh you serious . you worry to much live and learn my guy . people are scared too much nowadays. be adventurous people ive gone down to a 10.5 in air jordan 12s 😂 my true to size is suppose to be a 11.5 did that ✔️ did 11 ✔️ and 10.5 kinda tight 😅 but i did that with insole out cause i don't care im wear my kicks even if my feet hurt .im not your average sneakerhead Wooooooo ✊️🙏

[@BookerT69]

Shawty cute

[@BookerT69]

Mustache lady with the same old 993

[@csn2213]

Put a mustache on her and she is Brendan’s sister

[@Muhahahaaaaaaa]

Stone island is for incels

[@jameslovesbutter2314]

She had a great experience with Kanye yet they tried to taint it.

Kanye story is coming out now? 10 years laters after the partnership ended? Hhmmmm sounds like a distraction from the situation in Palestine

[@qu3nt]

come on guys hooka ? i mean at this point next hype shoe will be sketchers

[@bigdogbee]

Every time they talk about Kanye they get it wrong

[@itbecameclear]

kanye segment 👎🏾👎🏾

[@malontedavis304]

1000% agreed