Image via Complex Original
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It's not every day your passion becomes your occupation, but for Levi Maestro that's exactly what happened. Maestro, who was known in L.A. as the kid with the video camera, parlayed his skills into a his own series of short shows that live on Maestro Knows. After producing episodes with everyone from Anthony Hamilton to Diddy to Kevin Love, Maestro's now tackling the footwear game as his collaboration with Vans drops this weekend at stores like UNDFTD. Oh, did we mention he was one of the first people to have the Yeezys? On the eve of his first sneaker release, we tapped the talented filmmaker to get his Top 25 Sneakers of All Time. See which sneakers made Maestro's cut...
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25. adidas Superstar Vintage
Levi says: "A proper All-American classic."
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24. Nike Air Yeezy
Levi says: "I’ll probably never have a more interesting attachment to a sneaker aside from my own. Having what was probably the most-anticipated sneaker release thus far three weeks before it was released was a funny feeling all of its own."
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23. Nike Dunk T19
Levi says: "My friend Perm was sponsored by Nike SB when they first launched. I remember him getting these T19’s. I never imagined being around a bunch of kids who would wait in line for hundreds of shoes like this to drop."
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22. Nike Air Max 1 "Safari"
Levi says: "When I started getting into buying a lot of sneakers, Air Max 1s were all I wanted. The Safari print was my favorite at the time."
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21. Vans Prison Issue Lace LX
Levi says: "Taka Hayashi is the new best sneaker designer of our time."
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20. Luker Neighborhood x adidas Superstar 80s
Levi says: "It’s pretty rare to find a black and off-white combo now that I look at these. I love them."
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19. Nike Lunar Chukka Woven
Levi says: "These are my airport sneakers because they’re easy to take off when you’re going through the x-ray and they look legit with sweatpants."
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18. Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Comme Des Garcon
Levi says: "These two brands are the perfect marriage. They should create an entire shoe line together."
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17. adidas Tennis Vintage
Levi says: "I found these shoes at Sportie LA in some boxes that looked years old. I got two pairs in my size. Sportie LA is the best sneaker store in the world."
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16. Nike Torch Lunar Rejuven8 Mid
Levi says: "These were the first shoes I remember having with lunar bottoms. The lightest, most comfortable shoes I’ve ever known."
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15. Converse All Star Chuck Taylor Jose Parla
Levi says: "Jose Parla is my favorite artist. I’m happy that I have some of his art through these shoes as I can’t afford any other pieces."
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14. Air Jordan II "White/Grey"
Levi says: "The Jordan 2 is probably the most underrated shoe of all time."
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13. Air Jordan VI "Motorsports"
Levi says: "This shoe would’ve been perfect minus the elephant-print interior and enormous logos on the back."
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12. Air Jordan VI "Infrared"
Levi says: "These are the best shoes I’ve ever played basketball in. These are the best-looking shoes I’ve ever played basketball in."
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11. Air Jordan III "Black/Cement"
Levi says: "This should probably be higher on my list, but I’m more ranking on my most favorite that I actually wear."
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10. adidas Kazuki Leopard Low
Levi says: "There’s only certain brands and certain models you could get away with a print like this. adidas pulled it off."
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9. Missoni x Converse Chuck Taylor All Star "Black/Blue"
Levi says: "I’ve really had a thing for blue leather lately."
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8. Missoni x Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Levi says: "Missoni has consistently made better Converse than any collaborations thus far. Converse hi-tops are great shoes to wear with shorts."
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7. Missoni x Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Levi says: "You know how many girls have told me that they wish they had these shoes?"
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6. Missoni x Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Levi says: "These are the shoes that are so “out there” yet you can still wear them on an everyday basis."
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5. adidas Superstar Vintage
Levi says: "This is one of the best silhouettes of all time. These sneakers feel like they should cost 200 to 300 dollars. Super premium, classic joints. They could be flipped a 1000+ ways."
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4. Air Jordan 1 "Grey/Silver"
Levi says: "Classic shoe and my favorite color is grey."
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3. Air Jordan 1 "Black/Blue"
Levi says: "The only shoe I ever felt like I needed that I still don’t have."
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2. Air Jordan 1 "Black/Red"
Levi says: "My favorite-shaped Jordan of all. Best colorway you can wear. It seems like you can wear them with everything. Jordan was wearing this shoe on the court around the same time I was born... maybe that’s the special connection."
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1. Levi Maestro x Vans Vault
Levi says: "My favorite shoe ever is, of course, the one I was given a chance to design. This shoe is a skateboard kid’s dream. It was really nice that Vans allowed me to completely recreate the shoe."
