Titi Finlay is a Nike collaborator, social media manager, creative consultant, and designer based in London, UK. Over the past few years she’s exploded as a voice for women’s inclusivity in sneaker culture — speaking to issues from limited sizing to clout-chasing hype culture — while drop-kicking a few glass ceilings of the industry herself. In 2020 she designed her own unisex Air Max 90 with Nike, aptly titled “Power to the Female,” and has since become a regular collaborator with the brand. Her colorful design DNA, encyclopedic sneaker knowledge, and unwavering voice has built a platform for women around her in this industry — and luckily, she had a few minutes to tell us what she’s been up to.
Name: Titi Finlay
Age: 30
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Where are you from, and where are you right now?
I was born in Cyprus, grew up in Scotland, and moved to South West London about 7 years ago – which is where I live now!
What’s your first memory with streetwear?
My first memory is when I first moved to London, when Supreme had just become huge here and ‘hype’ culture was taking off. I used to love going into Soho and just people watching, seeing all the sneakers and fresh ‘fits on the streets – it was such a huge moment in modern fashion, and I’m glad I got to see it develop.
If you had to compress your personal style into one outfit, what would it be?
Some kind of lycra long sleeve, paired with chic oversized tailoring, and a pair of basketball sneakers like Reebok Shaqs.
You can only wear three shoes for the rest of your life — what are they?
Fresh pair of white AF1s, Reebok Shaqnosis, Air Max BWs
Streetwear style icon: Yoon Ahn
Your latest (or favorite) Instagram follow:
Latest follow was an artist called @lukeedwardhall
What’s your biggest creative/career milestone so far? What’s your biggest creative/career goal right now?
Biggest milestone was making actual change within the sneaker industry, when my graphics went viral on Highsnobiety and led to me having conversations with design teams at the major sneaker brands on how to make positive changes in sizing — oh, and collaborating with Nike! My biggest goal right now is to return to my passion for painting, and collaborate with more brands on creative projects
What’s your dream collaboration?
I would love to collab with a luxury fashion brand on some kind of painting project or store activation – Prada, Jacquemus, JW Anderson, Coperni or Balenciaga would be a dream! But I’d also love to do something with a smaller brand like Clints Inc as I love their footwear.
What are you currently working on?
A few creative projects with brands that should be releasing in a month or two – I can’t say any more right now!
When do you feel the most empowered?
When I’m working out regularly, drawing or painting every day, and wearing a sick outfit!
What needs to change about the current streetwear landscape, to make it more inclusive?
With apparel, it feels like there is still a huge focus on men. All streetwear seems to be targeted at a male audience, with the female consumer being an afterthought — especially in campaigns. Women want to wear menswear/unisex clothes, but it’s hard to visualise themselves in the product if they can’t see a female wearing it. With footwear, the main issue is sizing – again, having an understanding of what women WANT to wear, instead of assuming we all want pink/pastel stuff.
What woman in streetwear/sneaker history would you like to see get her flowers?
There’s too many to name! But mainly my girls with important platforms that are doing great work – like @_womeninsneakers and @sheakermag!