John Geiger caught a load of hate when his "Misplaced Checks" — a collaboration with The Shoe Surgeon that places multiple exotic-leather Swooshes on the Nike Air Force 1 — first came out. But they've grown their own core audience and certain versions have even sold out online in two minutes. Geiger must be on to something as a bootleg version of his sneakers — done by sneaker customizer Big A — recently surfaced.
A was catching flack for his blatant ripoffs, which he's charging $200 for once the buyer provides the base sneakers to be used. (Geiger's sneakers retail for $500.) In his Instagram post advertising the sneakers, A said, "So I wasn't willing to pay for them so I made my own pair. Credit to @theshoesurgeon and @johngeiger_ this is there idea I KNOW."
Geiger wasn't having that, though. "This guy over here is making the same shit as me," he says. "I don’t even want you guys to print anything, because you’re just giving him attention. It’s weird to give someone props and then take their design. I’d rather you just steal it and pretend like you didn’t know."
Although A has clearly copied Geiger's work and given him the credit for it, Geiger says the two of them have not spoke. "The dude blocked me, so I can’t see his comments. I’ve never spoke to him before," he says. "I don’t talk to people who have that mind state. You’re putting out there that you stole an idea. I don’t know if these kids know that if they go to a sneaker show [with those on] they’re going to get clowned."
The connection between Geiger and Nike goes back when he was the manager for Darrelle Revis, who had a signature sneaker with the brand, and it's expressed in his "Misplaced Checks." "I tried giving this idea to Nike, they said no," he says. "I made an idea and followed all the way through. I made a 100 pairs and sold out in two minutes. You don’t just throw some Checks on a shoe. There’s meaning behind it. He’s using my name to make money."
The irony of the situation at hand is that Geiger has sympathy for A, even if he doesn't approve of his methods of making a few extra dollars. "I wouldn’t even try and hit him with a cease and desist. What is he making, a $1,000? He sold two pairs. That’s $400," Geiger says. "If you need the money that bad, just keep doing what you’re doing. Maybe you have child support or need to pay your light bill. I would rather just give him $400 and tell him quit doing it. Every time he gets an offer, I’d give him $200 because I feel bad for him."
As for what Geiger has going on right now, he says there will be one more pair of the "Misplaced Checks" and then it's onto what he's doing next.
If it's as strong as his current endeavor, expect there to be copycats, too.
