Bianca Richards Says an Inclusive Sneaker Industry is Unfolding Right Now

Born and raised in the Bronx, Bianca Richards is a licensed aesthetician, content creator, and passionate sneaker collector. So much so that she was invited to be part of the monumental Jordan 2023 Women’s Collective. This initiative from Jordan Brand is ‘committed to fueling and sustaining the momentum women have been driving in basketball and sneaker culture’. And, according to Richards, it’s been a great success.

We linked up with the Bronx native as part of our rolling coverage for Hispanic Heritage Month to ask the big questions: how can the industry empower Hispanic women, how does it feel to be in the Jordan Collective, and of course, how did Bianca Richards get so fly?

Tell us about your sneaker obsession growing up. Did you have a strong connection to sneakers as a kid?

Being born and raised in the Bronx, it's important to acknowledge that I was privileged enough to have parents who were able to afford to dress me up in the latest Js as a kid, and for that, I will forever be thankful. I would say my first introduction to sneaker culture was through my mom. She used to work at Niketown on 5th Ave in NYC and always sought to dress me comfortably with new releases. That thrill of getting a new pair of sneakers from my mom was always a fun surprise, and I honestly never went without some heat because of her. Plus, getting exposure to a wide array of sneakers introduced me to a sense of style that made me feel comfortable and connected to those around me. The culture in NYC, Uptown, and the Bronx paved the way for the emergence and success of streetwear and hip-hop, and like many of my peers, we as a community have always gravitated to wearing a lot of streetwear brands and pieces. Since streetwear and sneaker culture were (and still are) heavily male-dominated, I never gravitated to ‘feminine/girly’ pieces like skirts, dresses, Mary Janes, and all that other stuff. I was always dressed for comfort and what made me feel good. Eventually, I became interested in sports, and the crossover between athletics and sneaker culture was also prevalent there. On the softball field, I was wearing the Jordan Derek Jeter cleats, and on the court, I was rocking my Aqua 8s, and these served as confident boosters for me during a time when my self-confidence wasn't too strong. I would admit, that I did go through a period in high school when I redirected my style away from sneakers as a way to explore my femininity through fashion, but through those years into early adulthood, I realised that I am capable of embracing both masculine and feminine pieces without compromising my love for kicks. Overall as I reflect on my childhood, sneakers were a way for me to feel comfortable and a part of my community in the Bronx.

How does your heritage inspire your personal style?

It's a blessing to be born and raised in the Bronx because my community is incredibly diverse; however, I did experience a lot of struggle trying to find inspiration in those who look like me or can relate to my cultural experience. My mom is Puerto Rican and my dad is Thai, and I sought a lot of inspiration from icons who had close proximity to my cultural identity. J.Lo was definitely a style icon for myself and young Boricuas in the Bronx, but my mom also introduced me to the greatest Puerto Rican musicians and writers, and it was through their work that I felt inspired to develop my own personal style. Besides mood-boarding their exact looks (I have endless screenshots of Ivy Queen's manicures throughout the years), it was their approach to showcasing their self-confidence to the world that truly made all of the difference when developing my personal style. Embracing the values of authenticity, remaining unapologetic about taking up space, and telling a story through their sense of style inspired me to apply those principles to my own journey however I see fit, and to me, that's the beauty of being Caribeña: to find inspiration within my community and pay homage to those around me through my work and passions.

Why is it important to have women of colour as the centre of sneaker culture?

It's paramount that we credit women of colour and Black women for being the innovators for change and creative masterminds behind major trends and cultural moments that are adopted and appropriated by mainstream media. Regarding sneaker culture specifically, the industry is heavily dominated by men, and women of colour and Black women are left out of the conversation. We are intentional consumers, and we drive the inspiration for culture to exist and thrive as our looks and style are at the forefront of how the world perceives streetwear and sneaker culture to be. Our impact is easily overlooked, but I believe we are in the midst of a revolution where women of colour and Black women are no longer being given a seat at the table or waiting for a seat – they're creating their own. Through this, we are beginning to witness women of colour and Black women reclaim their position as leaders in sneaker culture through the emergence of brand collaborations and online storytelling via their unique platforms. The blessing of this moment? We're acknowledging the women before us and paying it forward to the women after us.

How does it feel to be part of the 2023 Jordan Women's Collective?

It's such a blessing to be part of the 2023 Jordan Women's Collective, and I am eternally grateful to be a part of a group of women who are driven to create impact and change within their communities. Jordan brand sought something unique in each of us, and their mission to advance equality for women across multiple industries is a concept that many brands talk about, but don't really implement into action. I can confidently say that our work this year was successful in remaining committed to empowering our communities through community-led activations and our personal/professional endeavours. I've been developing intentional strategies and have remained committed to pushing sneaker culture forward by aiming to bridge the gap between sneaker culture and beauty, and I credit the 2023 Jordan Women's Collective for instilling that confidence in me to continue doing just exactly that.

How can the sneaker industry do more to empower Hispanic women?

Culturally speaking, Latinas are natural-born storytellers. From engaging in family gossip to sharing traditional folktales at the dinner table, these moments have reigned supreme throughout our lives and speak to our unique experiences that many are not aware of. With that being said, rolling out campaigns solely for Hispanic Heritage Month doesn't push the needle, and it's important that our voices are acknowledged through strategies driven by intention and purpose all year round. Allowing us the opportunities to tell our stories in authentic ways is how the sneaker industry can empower Latinas. Have Latinas in leadership positions that can impact the ways in which consumers come to acknowledge and respect our culture, hire more Latina creatives to spearhead campaigns that align with our experiences, and explore the real diversity within our Latinx community because Latinidad is not a monolith. Just simply give us the power to tell the world who we are.

What does the future of footwear look like?

I am hopeful that the future of footwear will become much more inclusive to women of colour and Black women. More representation is needed in footwear, and I believe we are seeing the beauty of it all unfold at this very moment.