Ian Connor

Ian Connor just spent four days in Florence with LuisaViaRoma for the launch of his exclusive collection of sneakers, Revenge X Storm. The 24-year-old influencer is known for his sick street style and got shot into the spotlight when he started collaborating with top names including Virgil Abloh, Wiz Khalifa and Kanye West. Charismatic yet unapologetic, the Revenge X Storm designer and Instagram phenomenon has his own point of view about what it means to be an ‘influencer’ in this day and age.

So tell us a little bit about the sneakers and Revenge X Storm
I grew up wearing vans, they have always been a part of my personal style. I have always loved Vans and worn them… even if I am wearing 1000 dollar jeans I would pair it with Authentic’s or Sk8-Hi’s…  So I guess these shoes are my own personal take on Vans. But I don’t want to stop with just sneakers. Revenge X Storm is about lifestyle, to take over a lifestyle. I am working really hard on this brand,  you know? Even if you don’t like me, or don’t know who I am, you can appreciate the work I put into the brand.

Ok and what about the name? Why Revenge X Storm?
Well, revenge, it’s not meant to come across as ill intended. It’s like, if you tell me I can’t do something, I am going to show you I can do it. It’s all a mental thing. Mentality is the most important thing to me, it comes before everything. And materialistic things are very important to me… but mentality really is what matters the most. If you tell me something is impossible, I’m going to show you otherwise…
That’s a good outlook…
Yea, also, do not doubt. Whether it’s self-doubt, or coming from another person. Don’t ever doubt, just go for it.
You have almost 1 million followers on Instagram. Can you tell us about being an influencer?
It’s so weird…. I didn’t come into this industry wanting to be an influencer. I want that my work speaks for me if you don’t know who I am.  But I mean,  all of these people following me doesn’t really bother me… I have been coping well I think, but I don’t know if I am so built for all this attention.
So being an influencer just happened to you?
Yea it just happened… I have taken the role and I just try to do the best I can with it. I’m not saying to people don’t idolize me, I’m just saying be your own person. Like, don’t just be a consumer I should say, hopefully what I do will inspire you to do what you want to do. I want people to put their own twist on things. With my inspirations, I was just looking up to them, but now I took my inspirations and built something off of it. That’s the main focus, to inspire.
You have great personal style. Has fashion always been a part of your life?
I was introduced to style before fashion. I was thrifting, wearing things, it was cool. I never had a bad outfit, but when I was introduced to fashion I was not so into brands. But now everything I wear now at this point, sticks with me. Like, Alyx, I will die wearing Alyx.

So you must really love Alyx?
Yes, one of my favorite brands is definitely Alyx. It is produced here in Italy, Matthew takes so much pride. I love Raf as well, I have put so much blood, sweat and tears into my wardrobe, even being broke. I have spent an absurd amount of money on like, brands… down to the point that I even got a t-shirt I loved tattooed on me. I have a Raf shirt tatted, because it’s a part of me. It’s part of who I am.
It’s cool to be introduced to new brands and be influenced by influencers… but then after you are introduced to new brands, you have to take it and make it your own, you know? Like have your own personal connection to the brand, an emotional connection and a personal connection.
Are you enjoying Florence?
I love Florence, LVR has made me love Florence and appreciate it. This is such a sick store.
What’s next for you?
I am working on some stuff, I can’t exactly say, but it’s being done here in Italy. I will be spending more time here. I am going to set up shop for like 3-4 months, so I want to get used to this city and I also want to learn how to speak Italian. LVR is my favorite store in the world so far.