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Words & interview by Clara Wang
January 20th marked a quarter century of the Shaq Attaq, Reebok’s first official signature shoe. Big, bold and flashy, Shaquille O’Neal’s first model captured the player’s showmanship and launched Reebok into the signature sneaker market in 1992. Its designer, Judy Close, has continued to work with Reebok as the Design Manager for their line of award-winning running shoes.
We caught up with Judy to discuss what it was like being part of such a landmark project and the ways the brand has evolved through the decades.
Nice Kicks: We just celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Shaq Attaq in January. How does it feel to have made such a lasting impact?
Judy Close: As a young designer in my late twenties when I was designing it I didn’t realize the impact it would have so many years later — I was just doing my job. The impact has been astounding. Especially to be back here at the company it’s been pretty amazing because there’s a lot of young designers and influencers in the building that have influenced the brand and that are doing amazing things.
Nice Kicks: The Shaq Attaq launched Reebok into the signature basketball sneaker market. How did you first get involved with the project?
Judy Close: I had been designing training and basketball products in the company. We knew we would sign Shaq in June and they needed someone to dedicate 100% of their time to meeting the team and to design his shoe. Because I was the most involved with designing the basketball line, I ended up on the project.
Nice Kicks: What were some of your inspirations in designing the Shaq Attaq?
Judy Close: First and foremost we were focused on functionality as well as aesthetics. He’s a big guy and a flashy guy, too, so we wanted that to come across in the blue and silver colors. Also, swimsuits at the Olympics that year were using silver material, so that was one of our inspirations for the original color. It was our first signature basketball shoe so we wanted to make sure the logo was identifiable on the basketball court.
Nice Kicks: How have you seen Reebok evolve since you first started working there?
Judy Close: The industry has changed in a huge way. Back when they started designing, there were maybe five designers and maybe 100 people that worked in the company. Now there’s like 700. We used to stitch everything by hand in the factories and now the mechanical processes have changed. The influences have changed due to globalization and the influencers that are in the building have changed.
Nice Kicks: How old were you when you bought your first pair of sneakers and what were they?
Judy Close: I’m actually not a sneakerhead, I don’t consider myself that now. I was working in the toy industry and I was in the area looking for a new job that would offer me opportunities. I’ve always been into fitness and sport and the industry was evolving so I just took it.
Nice Kicks: You now head Reebok Running. What’s the best part about that?
Judy Close: We just won an award for our premier running shoes (2017 Best Debut), and there’s an opportunity to do a range of products.
Nice Kicks: Lastly, any advice for young women who are looking to work in urban fashion or athletic footwear?
Judy Close: The best advice I can give is to just stay persistent and step up. If you don’t think the product or company is moving in the right direction, step up and make your voice heard. Believe in yourself and know that you’re worthy of speaking up.
Reebok has a special collection of International Women’s Day product available online here. Get more insight on what it’s like to be a woman working for Reebok in the video below.
