THE DRIVING FORCE: NO DOUBT, MAYOR IS THE SNEAKER OG
(SPONSORED STORY)
In a time when attention equates to equity, it’s all too common to see the bevy of social media sycophants jostling for ownership over the latest micro-trends and sub-genres sprouting on our timelines. Yet, while most struggle to maintain the trendsetter facade, authentically shifting the tide comes almost naturally for others—no fabricated follower count needed. As arguably the original sneaker influencer, Mark “Mayor” Farese falls into the latter category, setting a precedent for all the style-inclined since he arrived on the scene.
For the anticipated debut of Nissan’s all-new 2025 Nissan KICKS, a vehicle drawing inspiration from shoe culture and its deeply dedicated fandom, the legendary automaker called on some notable names known for their phenomenal footwear acumen—an exclusive fraternity of which Mayor is a senior member.
But before amassing one of the world’s most jaw-dropping collections of cherished kicks (at one point, totaling upwards of 4,000 pairs), Mayor was just a wide-eyed kid scampering through the South Bronx eager to emulate the suave nature of the OGs he observed in the neighborhood. “Where I’m from, the fliest guys were the ones who always stood out on the block,” Mayor fondly notes, reminiscing on old times. “They dressed in velour tracksuits and Kangol hats and always had the freshest kicks. Back then, we all wanted to be just like them.”
In an effort to compete on the same sartorial level as his elders, the aspiring sneaker connoisseur made it his sole mission to ensure his style was on par with those he admired and respected most—at whatever cost. From sweeping up the barbershop floor to bagging groceries at the local supermarket, slowly but surely, a young Mayor stashed away just enough to officially begin his foray into the lauded kicks community. And the rest is footwear folklore.
A self-proclaimed “lover of getting fly,” Mayor treats getting dressed like a skilled practice, diligently considering all aspects of his fit from head to toe—emphasis on the toe here. For the sneaker savant, fashion starts at the feet, acting as the solid base to build out that statement look. While shoes are admittedly his specialty, Mayor's discerning eye for detail isn’t exclusive to the decadent steppers he dawns on the daily. As an avid car enthusiast, the parallels between automotive and footwear design are clear for the well-versed cultural arbiter.
“You want your car to look fly while driving around, so you have to be fly too once when you hop out. It’s all related, in my eyes.” Mayor notes.
Taking the sneaker guru's advice to heart, Nissan infused its latest KICKS model with the swaggering spirit of the footwear faithful. Constructed with an agile and progressive exterior, a seductive interior, and a distinct two-toned color palette designed to mirror the varied stylings seen across sneaker drops, the 2025 Nissan KICKS is Mayor’s reasoned sentiment manifested into one dynamic vehicle. With a concise focus on detailing the latest addition to the Nissan lineup draws on similar stylistic emblems utilized when fashioning some of the most illustrious sneaks on the market—Mayor-approved, of course.
After teaming up with a legendary brand like Nissan, Mayor has henceforth graduated from “If you know, you know” to “you need to know”––and it’s a shame if you didn’t already. But whether you’ve been hip or you’re just now catching up is of little concern to NYC’s presiding sneaker authority.
“I want everyone to experience what I’ve experienced in the sneaker world,” Mayor concludes. “So what if they re-release certain shoes? What I’ve done is already embedded in history.”
