Summer in Sneakers: The Stories Our Sneakers Tell

There’s something about your first “real” pair of shoes — the ones you saved up for, showed off a little, and wore like they were part of your personality. All Set in White is all about that feeling.

For me, it was the white Lacoste sneakers. Clean leather, that tiny green gator, no socks, cuffed jeans — you knew when someone had a fresh pair. It wasn’t loud, but it made a statement. Like, yeah, I’ve got my life (sort of) together.

They matched everything. Summer dresses, denim cutoffs, whatever you threw on before heading out. They made you feel ready — like the day could take you anywhere, and you were totally good with that.

In the painting, the shoes are front and centre on a patch of sun-warmed cement. The background’s simple and familiar — just like the kind of July afternoon that felt both ordinary and perfect. The denim hits mid-calf, and you can almost feel that soft, golden light that shows up right before dinner — when your only real responsibility was being home by the time the streetlights flicked on.

All Set in White is a little slice of those summer days. The ones with your best friends, wandering aimlessly, planning everything and nothing, and feeling like anything was possible. It’s about looking back and realizing those low-key moments were actually the big ones.

Because those shoes weren’t just a trend. They were part of growing up — and somehow, they still feel just right.