Sneakers used to be one of two things: performance or fashion. Somewhere in the last decade, that line collapsed — and the shoes most of us are reaching for now sit firmly in the middle.

I'm joined by Adam and Ryan Goldston, founders of APL and the first members of an athletic company ever inducted into the CFDA, for a conversation on how they ushered in the era of the fashion sneaker. From getting banned by the NBA for their first shoe to landing in Selfridges, Net-a-Porter, and Saks before anyone else was selling performance product in those rooms, Adam and Ryan share how a clear point of view — and a refusal to use logos — built one of the most distinctive sneaker brands in the world.

We get into world-building beyond product, why they believe taste is their real superpower and the consumer shift toward quieter, design-led pieces.

Shop APL https://www.athleticpropulsionlabs.com/

In this episode, we get into:

What actually set the stage for the era of the fashion sneaker
Why being inducted into the CFDA in 2016 was a turning point for the entire sneaker industry
The decision to launch in Selfridges, Net-a-Porter, and Saks before anyone else was selling performance in luxury rooms
Why APL refuses to use big, emblazoned logos — and how that built a stronger brand
The rise of the personal brand and why consumers don't want to be walking advertisements anymore
What "simple, yet severe" actually means as a design philosophy
Inside the APL flagship at The Grove and why it feels more like a gallery than a store
Why building a brand world still requires a physical experience in an increasingly digital age
Ralph Lauren as the singular blueprint for world-building — and the moment they found out Ralph himself is an APL fan
Why Adam and Ryan consider taste their real superpower (and how to cultivate it)
The relationship between taste, bravery, and confidence
The Tokyo trip and the souffle pancakes that inspired the ZipLine midsole
Why texture — both tactile and visual — is the most important element of a perfect sneaker
The rise of the luxury basic and why consumers are investing in staples right now
How the F1 partnership in 2016 shaped APL's global luxury performance positioning

Thank you to my partners at Macy’s for my newest wardrobe essentials. Shop my selects here! https://shopmy.us/collections/5681436 #Macyspartner

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Liv Perez

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