Sneakers, Soul, and the City: Dave Jeff and Yohance Lacour Tell Their Chicago Story

My family's shopping excursions significantly shaped my fashion perspective and continue to influence my style today. Recently, at The Emily Hotel in Chicago's Fulton Market District, cultural leaders Dave Jeff and Yohance Lacour shared an enlightening dialogue on sneaker culture and creativity, moderated by Maggie Gillette from The Curio. “Being up here with Dave feels like family,” Lacour expressed, reminiscing about their three-decade-long friendship. They explored Chicago's unique fashion scene, emphasizing how their upbringing in diverse neighborhoods shaped their identities. Long before the term “sneakerhead” emerged, the duo was curating their looks from local stores. Lacour passionately noted, “Our shoes told our stories.” Their conversation revealed a rich tapestry of culture, creativity, and the evolution of the sneaker landscape in Chicago.