Last week we caught up with Melbourne all-rounder (and sneaker-head’s wet dream) Cheech Sanchez to find out what’s happening at her photography exhibition/ Girls Got Kicks launch party this Thursday in Melbourne.
Spending her formative years in Sydney in the early 90s, she was introduced to graffiti and rave cultures as a young teen. These two cultures continue to influence her life and work every day, and form the basis for her personal goal to spend each day doing what she loves. Recently crowned Miss Illustrated Pinup VIctoria 2011 and completing a Bachelor of Design (Interior/Industrial Design), Cheech’s relentless pursuit of her next big creative thing is seemingly never-ending.
Plus she’s a cool, humble, chick to boot!
So Cheech, what did you do for the book?
I was a guest photographer for the female sneaker book, Girls Got Kicks. It was a amazing opportunity to showcase Australian women who are interested in sneakers.
Tell us about the book…
The book is the brain-child of Lori Lobenstine (www.femalesneakerfiend.com) and Hell Yeah/ M.I.S.S fashion photographer Amanda Lopez. Add a few very talented guest photographers, a whole bunch of female sneakerheads from across the globe, more kicks than a centipede could wear in a lifetime and BAM! The end result is a colourful look into the world of female sneaker enthusiasts.
Cheech Sanchez photographed by M.A.F.I.A
Who are the Australian girls photographed for the book and why did you pick them?
Obviously they were photographed for their love of sneakers, but they are so much more than that. They are women of all shapes and sizes, and everyone of them has a special story. From break dancers to hip hop MCs and everything in between, these ladies radiate the kind of beauty and confidence you can’t get from reading a fashion magazine or buying an outfit from the High St - these ladies are shine from the inside.
You are a woman of many talents. How important is photography amongst all these things you do?
I like to use the medium that suits whatever I’m working on at the time. Sometimes it’s words, or pictures, or a pencil, or a spray can, or a mig welder, or my computer, or a camera.
Why do you think there was a need to bring out a sneaker book just with women in it? Do you think women in subcultures segregating themselves with fem only books and mags and crews is a step backwards for post feminism?
Women are considered to be a pretty small and somewhat forgotten sub-genre within the sneaker community, and Girls Got Kicks proves that there are lots of women out there that are passionate about their trainers! I can’t say for sure if female only books are a step forward or backwards for post-feminism, but I will say that women are their own harshest critics, and much like the multimillion dollar fashion magazine industry, it’s mostly photos of women I look for when I’m trawling for sneaker fashion (but I must admit I love a good perv on a hot dude wearing sneaks!). I like learning about women who are interested in the same things as I am!
What do you think of all the page 3 / titty bar/ FHM style pics of chicks in kicks getting around when it’s obvious the girl doesn’t usually rock sneakers?
Done right it can be brilliant - like Playboy’s Jordan Ranking for example. But then, I’m quite a pinup fan (done tastefully of course!).
There are actually a few saucy photos in the exhibition (but I can assure you that clothes stay on!).
You get off on sneaker porn then?
Please send links to info@cheechsanchez.com
What’s your top 3 pairs?
That’s a tough question. Classic or modern styles? It really depends. I’ll give you my classics. 1. Nike Structures (Triax) in Infrared 2. Nike Huarache 3. Jordan 3
Where can we buy the book?
Check out www.girlsgotkicks.com for more info, or if you’re coming to the exhibition we’ll have some copies available to buy.
What’s happening for the launch party next week?
What isn’t happening at the launch?! M.A.F.I.A. and I are throwing one hell of a party at the Vic Bar in Melbourne. We’ve got MZRIZK djing (she’s also in the exhibition), we’ve got giveaways from Nike, G-Shock and Well Dress Vandals, we’ve got BBQ, booze and the hottest ladies in Melbourne. It’s going to be bananas!
Female wise who’s got the best sneaker collection you know of in Australia or the world?
M.A.F.I.A. Need I say more?!
Do you buy men’s or women’s sneakers?
Both. If I like it and it comes in my size, I’ll wear it.
Blondes or brunettes?
Brunettes
If a guy had on wak sneakers for example K-Swiss but was really hot would you still fuck him?
Hell no. It’s the first thing I look at when I meet a dude. I suppose I’m a bit of a snob - I’d be reluctant to look twice if a dude was wearing fresh 90s, let alone wacked-as K-Swizzles. And don’t get me started on men who only have one or two pairs of shoes - that’s my worst nightmare. If a dude has more pairs than I do, it’s an instant turn on.
Have you ever been chatted up just coz you were wearing fresh sneakers?
Everyday!
How do you keep your sneakers fresh?
I actually don’t wear them that much. Melbourne is a funny place, you often get 4 seasons in a day, so if I’m not absolutely sure it’s not going to rain, I usually just stick to Vans. I save my precious sneaks for special occasions.
Do you wear yours with long football / gym socks? (we think that looks hot)
I love tube socks. And those über-long socks you get from American Apparel. But mostly I wear ankle socks or tiny tiny hidden socks because I think they look better with sports styles (which is generally what I wear). Another no-no for dudes is wearing no socks. Or worse - business socks with sneakers. SHAME!
I agree….or anklets lookin’ like they’re off to play a fuckin’ game of netball! Or working on their tan…
Heyyyyyy is Cheech Sanchez your birth name?
As surprising as it might be, Cheech Sanchez is not my birth name <insert sarcasm here>. Nor is it homage Cheech and Chong. Infact, the name Cheech Sanchez was born almost as naturally as I was. My double-barrel given name is particularly difficult to say and spell, and as a result I have always struggled with my identity (a reoccurring theme in my work, if you look closely). Teachers couldn’t say it, friends couldn’t say it and introducing myself in a nightclub was pointless. I have also changed my surname a few times (step-parents, marriage, divorce etc).
Cheech was born out of a work colleague nicknaming me “Chi” (the first 3 letters of my given name, probably used because it was easier than saying the whole thing). That soon became “Chi Chi”, which soon became “Cheech” (us Aussie’s can’t help but shorten names) and now it’s “Cheechy” to my close friends. The “Sanchez” was added shortly after I got an oh-so-hipster mustache tattooed on my left index finger. Now I’m quite attached to my nom de plume. I thought about killing Cheech off for a while, but I’m glad I didn’t. Cheech represents everything I was ever too afraid to be - and now I’m not afraid to be anything!
What kinda camera do you use?
I have a Nikon D90 (I probably need a new one), but I’m also a keen iPhoneographer (I love my Instagram) and use my iPhone camera way more than anything else!
Where can we follow your work?
www.cheechsanchez.com or search for Cheech Sanchez on Facebook and Instagram.
Finally tell us 3 things that make you go hell yeah!
1. Simple pleasures - like the sound of skateboard wheels on Chapel Street (which sometimes means you’re about to cop a massive perv - and other times, means you cop an eye full of old lady pushing a trolley).
2. Breakfast - there’s nothing I like more that starting the day with a brilliant breakfast. I’m thinking poached eggs, salmon tatare, french toast, breakfast burritos.
3. My friends - because without them, I wouldn’t be half the person I am. HELL YEAH!
Girls Got Kicks Melbourne
GIRLS GOT KICKS BOOK LAUNCH & OPENING NIGHT 5PM THIS THURSDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2012
EXHIBITION CONTINUES UNTIL 29 FEBRUARY 2012
@ THE VIC BAR - 281 VICTORIA ST ABBOTSFORD MELBOURNE
