FIELD REPORT: TALLER DE RAFA'S FIRST NIKE COLLAB SOLD OUT
FIELD REPORT · EP 005 · Watch the episode on YouTube
In this Field Report, filmed at ComplexCon's 10th anniversary and hosted by Whest Cornell, Rafa and Genesis of Taller de Rafa, a brother and sister family business from the Bronx, explain how their father, an auto engineer and mechanic who ran his own shop, inspires the brand's worn workwear look. Their first Nike collab, the Air Max Goadome Low, sold out at the show.
Key Points
- Taller de Rafa is a family business run by Rafa and Genesis, a brother and sister from the Bronx.
- Their father, an auto engineer and mechanic with his own shop, inspires the brand's worn workwear look.
- Their first Nike collab, the Air Max Goadome Low, sold out at their first ComplexCon.
Finally Offline caught up with Rafa and Genesis of Taller de Rafa at ComplexCon's 10th anniversary. The brother and sister out of the Bronx brought their first Nike collab, the Air Max Goadome Low, to their first ComplexCon, and it sold out at the show. Host Whest Cornell got them to break down where it all comes from.
It Starts With Their Pops
Taller de Rafa is a family business, and the name comes from their pops. He is an auto engineer and a mechanic who ran his own shop. "So, a lot of the inspo that you see when it comes to TDR is, you know, my pops," they told us.
The look came from what he wore to work. "Yo, he would come through with like the craziest worn uniforms." That aesthetic stuck, and the brand is their way of paying homage to him.
A Shoe That Looks Worked In
You can see it on the Air Max Goadome Low. The leather is distressed so the shoe looks like it has already put in time, the way a work boot does after years in a shop. "Yo, that's something that we lived and seen." It is one of our favorite collabs of the year, from the visuals of the campaign to the family roots behind it.
First ComplexCon, First Sellout
ComplexCon was something they used to watch through social media every year. "So, to be here on a 10 year anniversary of ComplexCon means everything," they told us. Getting to sell their own shoe at their first one made it feel like a full circle moment.
They said the room itself was inspiring, seeing how many brands from all over the world came out. As for what is next, they kept it close. "In the works, in the works, in the works," they said. "It's the first one."
It was one of the standout stories of a ComplexCon that turned 10 this year, alongside drops like Circulate's Air Force 1 at booth G27. Watch the full Field Report on YouTube and follow @tallerderafa.
Transcript
So, a lot of the inspo that you see when it comes to TDR is, you know, my pops.
Super legend, Rafa, Genesis, congratulations. Thank you. Sold out, sold out, sold out. First time at ComplexCon?
First time. Can you guys give me a little bit of inspiration behind the shoe, behind the entire process of you being at ComplexCon? Like, where'd it come from? So, ComplexCon is our first time, like you mentioned. It was one that we would always just look at through social media during the weekend. So, to be here on a 10 year anniversary of ComplexCon means everything, so very, very excited. It's crazy, like, first time at ComplexCon, we got to sell our shoe as well, like this is, it feels surreal. It's like a full circle moment for y'all. So, Taller de Rafa, where does that come from? So, that comes from my pops, right? Okay. He is an auto engineer and a mechanic. He used to have his own shop.
So, a lot of the inspo that you see when it comes to TDR is, you know, my pops. Wow, kept it in the family. Yo, he would come through with like the craziest worn uniforms. And you know, for me, I picked up on that aesthetic. Yeah, yeah. So, it's really just paying homage to him, man. Even when you look, when you check out the boot and you see like the stressing on it. Yeah, it looks like it's been worked in. Yo, that's something that we lived and seen. You know what I mean? So, I love that. I love how you kept it within the family. Obviously, y'all being related. Brother and sister, you don't really see that. So, what do you look forward to? Are you checking out anything else at ComplexCon? Yeah, I mean, it's also like, it's very inspiring just to see how many different brands from all over the world is here.
I'm just, I'm in awe, honestly. Yeah. Like, it's like, I'm just inspired in awe and just honored to be alongside so many beautiful brands.
Congratulations on the release. Anything else coming up that we can look forward to? In the works, in the works, in the works. It's the first one. Well, congratulations on the sale, guys. Appreciate you. Thank you, thank you so much for your time. Thank you guys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is behind Taller de Rafa?
Rafa and Genesis, a brother and sister from the Bronx who run Taller de Rafa as a family business.
What is Taller de Rafa's first Nike collab?
The Nike Air Max Goadome Low, which sold out at ComplexCon.
What inspires Taller de Rafa?
Their father, an auto engineer and mechanic who ran his own shop and wore heavily worn uniforms. The brand's distressed, worked in look pays homage to him.
Topics: youtube, taller-de-rafa, field-report, whest-cornell, complexcon, air-max, bronx, nike, whest cornell