Frank Sinatra's cover of "(Theme from) New York, New York" from 1980 has forever immortalized the transferability of making it in the Big Apple. "Ol' Blue Eyes" might've been from across the Hudson River, but he knew enough folks across New York City to understand the grit, resilience, and ambition needed just to get by in East Harlem, Washington Heights, Bed-Stuy, and dozens of other neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs.
Up in the Wakefield section of the Bronx, John Cotton—best known to the world as Jae Tips—has exemplified the song's message, despite the odds against him.
A product of the ill-reputed New York City public high school system, the 35-year-old has left his mark on a number of creative fields, but its his design work—specifically on fitted baseball caps and retro sneakers—that has taken him across the world.
Prior to November 2022, "Jae Tips" was a name you likely only knew of from three circumstances: You followed NYC's indie hip-hop scene in the 2010s; caught wind of his multi-colored bespoke Nike Air Force 1 Low in 2019; or discovered his innovative customs with Hat Club during the pandemic.
Since then, the New Yorker has become synonymous with one brand: Saucony. In just two years, he's launched five different collections with the storied running brand, helping it become a mainstay within the world of hype lifestyle footwear. Each release has sold out, with some pairs fetching a pretty sum on after-market platforms StockX and GOAT, and almost all of them making Best of lists.
Jae Tips is a busy man these days, but he caught up with House of Heat° over email in the aftermath of Paris Fashion Week® to talk his next Saucony Originals project, "Flowers Grow Uptown," the borough that inspired it, and the legacy he wants to leave behind.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
House of Heat°: How are you?
Jae Tips: I’m great, I appreciate you asking. Happy to chat and be here, always.
You were recently in Paris as part of Saucony’s Sync Space. What went into the preparation for the occasion?
So much actually. For over a year, it was on the calendar to review this latest Saucony Originals collection for Paris Fashion Week, so there were a lot of layers.
You’ve become an exciting figure in the context of Paris Fashion Week®. How do you feel out there?
It feels amazing.
When it comes to the sneaker scene in Paris, it’s like the NBA and I’m one of the things people look forward to. I’m from the Bronx—this is not supposed to be possible, so I’m honored.
In May, you were spotted wearing a co-branded pair of the Saucony ProGrid Triumph 4. How finalized was your sixth project at that point?
It was the final sample.
Honestly, I probably shouldn’t have worn them, but Easter eggs, sneak peeks, and little things like that are a part of the game.
Why’d you land on the ProGrid Triumph 4?
When I first started getting a feel for Saucony and learning about their history, the Triumph 4 became one of my favorite shoes to wear. I always told them, "When the work load permits it, I’d love to create some Jae Tips PGs."
Can you walk us through the design of your latest collection? Does each individual pair have a nickname?
The four pairs are named after different types of leaves from plants and trees that grow in the Bronx: Perilla, Sugar Maple, Virginia Creeper, and Poison Ivy.
Which colorway execution took the most samples?
Two pairs had two samples each to align on small details, but there are generally very few samples of my shoes. I’m very sure of my designs from the beginning. It’s like magic to me.
With the Triumphs, the factory asked us to change the material around the toe cap because it kept tearing.
You posted a first-look at your four-pair collaboration before PFW. What’s going on in your mind right before hitting Share?
"Do I have the mental capacity to have my phone blown up all day?" [laughs], but I’m getting used to the noise.
Do you lurk around comment sections or the blogosphere to see the public’s initial reaction?
I do a bit. My shoes mean so much to my supporters, and I love those first reactions.
The caption that accompanied your Instagram post read, “Flowers grow uptown.” What do you hope audiences take away from this phrase?
That there’s beauty in the struggle and light where you least expect it.
How has your design process changed (if at all) between your first Saucony Originals project and most recent?
The biggest change has been how many cooks there are in the kitchen.
When I first started working with Saucony, I would mainly speak with Jason Faustino, Gloabl Director of Energy/Collaborations at Saucony. Now, some calls have upwards of 10 people on them. Things have grown.
How has your relationship with the brand evolved since early 2021?
It’s changed a ton. It’s a great feeling to go from 'Who is Jae Tips?' to being one of the faces of Saucony.
You’ve maintained a steady release cycle since your first Saucony Originals sneaker. Was this the plan from the beginning or did the public’s reception of your GRID Azura 2000 inform the partnership’s strategy?
I just never stopped working.
We faced a ton of COVID delays on the first shoe so Jason and the team let me design other shoes so we could at least try to stay ahead of the work. I just kept shooting and they believed in the stories that powered each drop.
Has your and Saucony’s evaluations of a “successful launch” changed since the first shoe?
Of course.
To me, success is no longer so much about public perception. Now it’s about the work being done in the middle of or in-between releases to keep up momentum, to keep things moving.
You starred in Saucony’s Run as One campaign. What does this idea mean to you, and how do you live it?
To me, the campaign embodies the idea of one team, one goal. That’s really how it should be. No egos, no one thing keeping everything together.
Bimma Williams’ live Collab Lab session in Paris brought you together with some of Saucony’s other collaborators. How do you view your brandmates?
I respect and admire all collaborators in this industry because it takes so much to keep things pure. [Some of Jae Tips' brandmates are Minted New York, 3sixteen, and Metagirl.]
Do you have any plans to bring the Savior Worldwide-touch to any of Saucony’s performance running products?
Maybe one day, you never know.
Describe the Bronx in six words.
Tough. Influential. Genius. Innovative. Bold. Leaders.
It’s no secret that you were born and grew up in the Bronx, but what some people might not know is that you’re still headquartered there. Why was this important to you?
Representation is key. Growing up in the Bronx, we didn’t have leaders or role models outside of who was on TV. I want to show people that different creative pathways are possible.
Whether music, fashion, or design, your creative output has always been experimental. Is this something you would partly credit to the Bronx?
I credit it all to the Bronx. All of my experiences are rooted from being a kid from the Bronx.
The Saucony ProGrid Triumph 4 debuted in 2007. How was life for you in that year?
In 2007, I was in high school wearing SB Dunks, Marmot jackets, and Burton backpacks.
What sneaker spots were you going to while growing up?
Basics Footwear in the Bronx and the South Korean-owned sneaker stores on Fordham Road. They had all of the Jordans early.
What’s your favorite pizza spot in the Bronx?
Yankee’s Pizza on Westchester Avenue.
As someone who grew up in the Bronx and attended high school from 2008-2012, I remember a time when the parameters of “cool” footwear were a lot narrower than they are today. How do you feel about your borough now rocking with Saucony?
Things have changed so much.
I still feel like Saucony is fighting for respect, but in the same way that people have life memories of their first Air Jordans, I gave people that same feeling for and experience with Saucony.
In my book, that makes me a legend forever.
You’ve mentioned that your kids have expressed an interest in wearing your designs to school instead of some of the retro products we grew up with. How wild is that?
It is wild! One day we gotta break the cycle.
Are there follow-ups to the Kids’ Shadow 6000s in the works?
Unfortunately not. I don’t think more kids' shoes will be made in the future.
Who are some of the people, places, and things from the Bronx that inspire you?
Yankee Stadium, of course. My old high school, Harry S. Truman. Legends like Ralph Lauren. I’m inspired by so much.
We’re half-way through 2025. What’s on the itinerary for the remainder of the year?
The release of this ProGrid Triumph 4 collection and ComplexCon, for sure.
You’re six Saucony Originals collections in. Could you rank them?
GRID Azura at 1, ProGrid Omni 9 at 2, Jazz 9 at 3, ProGrid Triumph 4 at 4, GRID Shadow 2 at 5, and Matrix at 6.
How would you like life to look during the fifth anniversary of your Saucony GRID Azura 2000? The tenth?
I see myself in a creative role, just lifting others up to this level.
What has your collaborative and solo work meant to your kids and immediate family? Have your children shown any interest in following your creative footsteps?
It means the world to my kids. I plan to hand them this business one day. I’m happy they are proud of their dad.
When it’s all said and done, how would you like your legacy to read?
The risk-taker. The one that never stopped dreaming.
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Jovani Hernandez is House of Heat°'s Lead Writer.
