Despite the unprecedented times we face, the importance of a #FirstDayFit remains the same. Whether on Zoom or in a socially distanced classroom environment, the outfit and the planning that goes into the first day of school sets the bar for the rest of the year. Momentum has never been so important.

We caught up with Jake, a student at New York University, as he walks us through his #FirstDayFit with the Air Jordan 1 Mid “Royal Black Toe” highlighted with his style and photography.

Take a look at how LeCarner styles the Air Jordan 1 Mid “Royal Black Toe” below. Stay tuned for more back to school Jordan drops at Snipes.

Jake on the Importance of Style

Jake LeCarner in the Air Jordan 1 Mid “Royal Black Toe”

Nice Kicks: What’s the importance of a #FirstDayFit for you? 

Jake LeCarner: Throughout high school, I always spent the last couple weeks of summer planning out what I wanted my first day fit to be, so I knew this was going to carry over with my first year in college. You only get one chance at a first impression with your style, so you might as well make it something you feel good wearing.  

School-From-Home Tips

Jake LeCarner in the Air Jordan 1 Mid “Royal Black Toe”

NK: Despite the new normal we’re all in, what are you looking forward to the most this school year? Do you have any school-from-home tips?

JL: I am really looking forward to the upcoming school year. I know it’s not going to be the same as the normal college experience, but I think it’ll still be a great time. My one school from home tip would have to be to set up a schedule so you can keep track of everything you have to get done before the next class.

NK: Quarantine is challenging the way in how we take care of ourselves mentally and physically. How are you taking care of yourself during these times?

JL: I’ve been trying to keep myself as busy as I can during quarantine by keeping up a couple of daily routines every day. For example, every day I watch a new film and take and post a new photo on my photography Instagram account (@Jlecarnerproductions). This helps me not get bored and tests my creativity every day.

Favorite Part of the Air Jordan 1 Mid and Styling the “Royal Black Toe” Colorway

Jake LeCarner in the Air Jordan 1 Mid “Royal Black Toe”

NK: What’s your favorite aspect of the Air Jordan 1 Mid? 

JL: I just love how there are so many different iterations of the ones, that still remain loyal to the classic silhouette. With dozens of iconic styles (Travis Scott and Chicago’s being my favorite), it is incredible how the simple design can be taken in so many different directions.

NK: The Air Jordan 1 Mid is a refreshing iteration of the classic silhouette. How do you plan on styling it? 

JL: I’ve always been a big fan of the “Royal 1’s” when it comes to simply design Jordans and these shoes especially remind me of the classics. With these I plan on wearing mostly darker tones in order to really make the shoe pop; Combining dark clothes with brighter sneakers and some jewelry will always work out well.

Jake’s Photography Style

Jake LeCarner in the Air Jordan 1 Mid “Royal Black Toe”

NK: You have a very unique style of photography. What’s your favorite part about the shots you capture? 

JL: I really like trying to find a different style in every shoot that I do. I love breaking down the setting of each individual shoot and storyboarding and planning how I can make that shoot as unique as possible.

NK: How important is style in your everyday life? 

JL: I try to make style a big part of my life every day, so every night I make time to lay out the next day’s outfit. This allows me to have a great outfit that day without having to worry about losing the time it takes to plan a fit-out.  

The Importance of Being Engaged in Social Justice

Jake LeCarner in the Air Jordan 1 Mid “Royal Black Toe”

NK: Social justice and activism have been important in the world around us especially within the last few months. What’s the importance of being engaged in this current political climate? 

JL: I think it’s very important to keep yourself updated with reliable news sources as often as you can in order to help you inform your own political actions and opinions; I try and check several different news sources every week to keep myself informed with the ever-changing modern political climate. It’s very important not only to register and use your voice in this upcoming election but to also be informed with what/who you’re voting for and to make sure that you know those individuals share your values.  

NK: COVID has been difficult for an array of reasons. How are you coping with everything going on?

JL: I’ve been hanging in there. Obviously it was difficult to have almost all of my senior year of highschool taken away due to the pandemic, but I think the best way to cope with this is to look ahead and not behind. It would be a lot easier to complain about losing a lot of big high school experiences, but it’s a lot more beneficial to instead look forward and be excited about college and all the new experiences that come with it.