This chef owns over 100 sneakers: ‘I buy the rarer stuff’

Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, head chef of Kiln, Mitch Orr.

“I buy my shoes to wear, not to stock or resell, but I have sold a lot of the Jordans I had.” Credit: Nikki To

How would you describe your style? Elevated street. At the end of the day, I’m just a basic bitch hypebeast.

What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? I still have the first pair of Nike “Dunks” my parents brought back from the States when I was in year 7.

And the most recent addition? The most recent Nike Air Max x FC Barcelona x Patta collab.

Orr is inspired by musician and Louis Vuitton creative director Pharrell Williams.

Do you collect sneakers? I buy the rarer stuff, not general release. And I buy my shoes to wear, not to stock or resell, but I have sold a lot of the Jordans I had. The foam crumbles if you don’t wear them and they take up a lot of room when you have over 100 pairs.

What would you wear
… on a first date? No matter the occasion I usually wear black Stone Island pants, a plain black Supreme tee, and sneakers. I’ll bust out the Bottega [Veneta] boots if I’m going somewhere fancy
… on a plane? Stone Island sweatpants, a hoodie and hotel slippers
… on the red carpet? Issey Miyake “Pleats Please” pants and dress shirt, a Bottega overshirt – all in black – and Bottega “Tire” boots with the classic green sole.

What’s your favourite fashion decade? It’s always been about streetwear for me and the era I’m most fond of is the mid-2000s to 2010s. That’s when I started to shop at stores like Supply and Footage in Surry Hills, meeting people through those communities and paying a bit more attention.

Who are your favourite designers? Nigo, who started Bape and now runs Human Made. Hiroshi Fujiwara of Fragment design, known as the godfather of Japanese streetwear. And Jun Takahashi, who created Undercover.

Do you wear fragrance? No, I’d rather smell like fresh laundry and myself.

The Birkenstock 1774 x Tekla collab is on Mitch Orr’s wish list.

What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? My Jacques Marie Mage glasses are probably my biggest style signifier. I always wear a throwback NBA jersey under my tee to add pop of colour or match my shoes. And a short sleeve Stone Island sweatshirt.

Any go-to jewellery? An IWC “Top Gun” black timepiece and two Babyanything gold chains.

Can you remember a favourite outfit you wore as a child? I hated wearing a school uniform. I remember begging my parents to buy me a pair of Nike shorts to wear to school, and the attention and clout that came with that.

What was your first fashion moment? When I won Best Young Chef at the Good Food awards in 2010. I’d never worn a suit before and I’d just started wearing glasses, which I should have done since kindergarten, but as a kid you don’t want to get bullied. I wore a nice pair of Dita frames and it was that experience of being in a room full of peers, people you look up to, and feeling stylish for the first time.

And your worst fashion mistake? There was a stage when I wore sweatbands on my arms at all times.

What’s on your wish list? Tekla Birkenstocks, a Prada “Re-Nylon” blouson jacket and I’m always on the lookout for Neighbourhood incense chambers.

Is there something you would never wear? Fast fashion or anything low quality.

Is there a current trend you like? I try not to pay attention to what’s trendy but I’m not immune. The chunky sole thing is something I’ve been sucked into, for sure. I recently bought a pair of Prada “Monolith” loafers.

What shoes do you wear most often? Tom Sacks “Mars Yard” Nikes.

Who’s your favourite fashion icon? Pharrell [Williams], except for his big hat era.

What do you wear on a typical working day? Black Uniqlo tee, black shorts, long white socks, Nike Air Zoom “Spiridons” and an apron.

What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? If the weather’s playing along, I’ll be in boardshorts, sunnies and Bembury Crocs.

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