A legendary street photographer, seasoned lecturer and boundaryless entertainer, RICKY POWELL is a true original, a native new yorker whose upcoming collaboration with PONY is sure to make the city proud!!!

“The Dog Walker – that was a man who was a ‘squatter’ in the East Village. Meaning he lived in abandoned buildings. He had a bunch of dogs that he took care of. They would walk around getting food out of trash cans. A ‘staple’ of the commumity. They protected the old man, named Julius… You couldn’t go near him. Haven’t seen him in almost 20 years or so…”

“Do You means a lot to me. I’ve always believed in creating your own universe. I believe in being yourself… not following or imitating trends. Do you means Be You… and love yourself. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. You will shine, and be respected…”

Ricky Powell.. is an ‘Individualist’ from New York City. He grew up being a ‘playground rat’ looking for pick-up basketball games. But in Spring of 1985 decided to add an ‘artistic’ element to his ‘game’ by snapping photos wherever he went…whether it be art openings/ night clubs/ or just meeting up with friends…He started getting published in magazines like PAPER, Details and The East Village Eye …and ‘The Rickster’ was born. He then hooked up with an old buddy who was in the Beastie Boys (AdRock) and followed the route of Hip-hop. And it was ‘ON’… Couple of years later he got into video and writing and now he designs. So for 2012, he is collaborating with PONY for their 40th Anniversary and is proud to be their ‘Joe Namath’! (Ricky’s idol from childhood).

The Rickford Institiute is an imaginary University I conjured up in my ‘imagination’. I sometimes would/ do think of how I would run a school of thought / attitude/ philosophy if I were The ‘Prez’… It would have a somewhat unconventional/non-traditional cirriculum and format… For one, there would be jazzy funk songs from the…

Lay-up lines at home basketball games… maybe have mixes done… That kind of music would set the tone/ ambiance for the whole experience for everybody in the ‘house’ (gymnasium,which would be known as) ’kool’, ‘fun’, and intellectually/socially stimulating/ uplifting. As for the ‘style’ of this school…’Individualizm’ is encouraged, as well as good manners/mutual respect… Just acting right, in chill mode…

RICKY POWELL X PONY INTERVIEW

What is the Rickford Institute?
the Rickford Institute is a university I conjured up in my imagination. Sometimes I think about how I would run a school of thought, attitude and philosophy if I were the prez. It would have a somewhat unconventional curriculum. For one, there would be jazzy funky songs from the lay-up lines at home basketball games, maybe even have mixes done. That kind of music would set the ambiance for the whole experience for everybody in the house, or gymnasium. I want the Institute to be intellectually and socially stimulating, and uplifting as well. Individualism is encouraged, as well as good manners and mutual respect, just knowing to act right, in chill mode.

You use the tagline ‘Do You’. What does it mean?
I’ve always believed in creating your own universe. ‘Do You’ means a lot to me. I believe in being yourself, not following or imitating trends. ‘Do You’ means ‘Be You’ and that means love yourself. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and you will shine and be respected.

Tell us a bit about your sneakers
The Slam Dunk reminded me of the sneakers I wore to basketball camps in the 1970s. It’s cool, without being overdone, simple yet sophisticated. I chose the materials because I liked the look of the padded canvas, and I thought a coated mesh would be cool as well as practical, you know, like in case it rains, they would be water resistant. And the silver reflector chevron will come in handy late at night, in case you’re riding your bicycle or even just walking, they could save you in case an oncoming vehicle doesn’t see you. My sneaker could be a factor in saving your bad ass.

Are you against the use of leather as well?
I’m a strict vegetarian and I would feel MUCH better, even VERY proud to design a sneaker that happens to be animal friendly. I love animals and I wouldn’t want to contribute to anything that hurts them. This shoe shows that you can look dope without an animal getting killed and that is a GREAT feeling. We should all look stylish without it being at the expense of a beautiful innocent animal that’s minding its own business and just trying to live.

Thanks Ricky!
As seen in Sneaker Freaker 24.