MEET VICTORIA CHIANG. SNEAKHER ADVOCATE. JERSEY LOVING SPORTS ENTHUSIAST. NEW YORK FOODIE. STREET STYLE CURATOR. MARKETING MAVEN. BOSS BABE.

As a platform that serves as a voice in “sneakHER” culture, we pride ourselves on being able to inspire, educate, and elevate our audience by connecting them to others. This is one reason why sharing our Chick Chats is so important. Identifying boss babes that have stories and experiences to share across a diverse spectrum of industries is a testament to how deep passions run, and how much we all relate to one another. Our love for sneakers brings us to our next fly girl.

9 times out of 10 you have seen Victoria Chiang on your Instagram timeline. You may know her as @wutangchiang (ring a bell?!) Victoria is the epitome of someone utilizing their love for kicks to create a career they want. The [street] stylish New Yorker married the worlds of sneaker culture and Corporate America establishing her own wave as one of the most respected chicks in the game. When you first see Victoria on IG, you’d imagine this sneaker aficionado is living her best life rockin’ some of the most coveted silhouettes we swoon over (and lurk the resell market for). Behind the scenes, Victoria is in marketing management at Footlocker building a foundation of authenticity based on her passion and strong business acumen.

As a woman in a male-dominated space, the task of elevating your voice can seem challenging at times. We got the opportunity to vibe with Victoria as she tells us in her own words about her love of sneakers, landing a job at Footlocker, how to navigate in the business, and more of what sneakHER culture means to her.

VICTORIA’S STORY… IN CLIFF NOTES.

Before I became interested in sneakers, I was a huge sports fanatic and hip hop enthusiast, both of which organically led to my interest in sneakers, since those realms are so intertwined. After I graduated college, I was actually working in Finance for a while and didn't even consider a career in sneakers. At that point of my life, finance was a stable choice which both appeased my family and impressed by friends, while sneakers were merely a personal passion. A couple years later, I was receiving more and more recognition for my style and knowledge of sneaker culture. At the same time, I was also excelling at my job in finance, which many people would view as a sign to stay put, however I saw it as an opportunity to finally apply my skill set and business acumen to my passion for sneakers.

I started researching the business ins and outs of the sneaker industry and applying at top brands and retailers. I eventually landed a marketing role at Foot Locker, Inc. and I guess the rest is history. While I had a strong career background and sharp skill set across marketing, I think my genuine love for sneakers, connection to the core consumer, and drive to positively impact the culture set me apart from the rest and really paved my career path.

SHOP SIMILAR SNEAKER STYLES INSPIRED BY VICTORIA BELOW

VIBIN’ IN THE BIG APPLE…

Well, I grew up in Long Island, New York, not exactly the sneaker hub of America, which is probably why I got into the sneaker game late. When I moved to NYC later in my life, that definitely influenced my style and interest in sneakers. That was the first time I've witnessed sneakers and high fashion truly merge.

ON BRANDS WHO LEVEL UP FOR THE LADIES…

I think Nike does the best job at really tailoring to their female audience. With their “Reimagined," “Vogue,” and “Force is Female" collections, in addition to them utilizing influential, powerful female icons such as Aleali May, Serena Williams, and SZA, they are recognizing how multi-dimensional females are and straying away from the stereotypical feminine aesthetic of pinks, sequins, and frills. Other brands, such as Adidas and Puma, have also significantly improved their messaging and assortment for females. I think all these brands are going to seriously amplify their focus on females in the next year so I’m excited for what’s in store.

VICTORIA’S SNEAKER ROTATION IN 3…2…1

My top 3 sneakers in my rotation are the Nike Acronym Prestos, adidas 700 Waverunners, and Nike Off-White x Moma Air Force 1s. My grail sneakers of all time are the Nike Yeezy 2 "Solar Red."

SHOP SNEAKER STYLES INSPIRED BY VICTORIA BELOW

ON CONNECTING THE DOTS THROUGH VISUAL STORYTELLING…

I enjoy seeing people in marketing campaigns who resonate with me. Sure, big celebrities generate buzz, but those who truly influence my purchase decision are people whose opinion comes across as genuine- usually lesser known influencers who value product and culture more than simply a check. I’m also a sucker for just really dope, dynamic, interactive video content.

JUST SAY NO… TO STEREOTYPES.

Being a minority female in a male-dominated industry, I've definitely had my knowledge and expertise questioned by males. I’ve encountered people who assume I’m wearing my boyfriend’s clothes or that I’m interested in sneakers just because of my boyfriend. Also, Asians are stereotypically viewed as major consumers of streetwear and luxury goods. Therefore, I think that some people assume that I’m a typical Asian “hypebeast" from an affluent household, which is not the case at all. On the other side, I’ve been fortunate enough to receive recognition and praise for being a minority female in the sneaker industry. It also helps me finesse sneaker lines once in a while (haha).

VICTORIA’S ADVICE TO THE SHAWTIES FOLLOWING A SIMILAR CAREER/CREATIVE PATH…

Never be afraid to speak your mind, make sure your voice is heard every time you’re in the room, form genuine relationships in the industry and maintain them, and make an effort to step outside your comfort zone once in a while.

ON WHAT SNEAKHER CULTURE MEANS TO HER…

To me, “SneakHER Culture” means being unapologetically creative and outspoken, and never letting society’s gender binary prevent you from leveling up.

You can check Victoria Chiang out on Instagram HERE.

Chick Chat: From The Desk of Victoria Chiang