Neal Santos

Born and raised in the vibrant streets of the Big Apple, Santos has always embraced a rebellious spirit when it comes to the world of apparel. His journey began humbly in the 90s behind the counters of the iconic Fat Beats NYC , an influential hub within the pulsating heartbeat of mid-90s underground hip-hop. An avid skater, he later found himself at the forefront of the burgeoning skatewear scene with the renowned brand Supreme, where he worked during the brands days as boutique skate shop. 

Throughout his tenure as an integral member of the brand's skate and retail crew, Santos counter-cultural attitude effectively transformed the skate shop's offerings into a compelling lifestyle statement. Collaborating with future esteemed fashion stylists, he represented the brand beyond the confines of skate culture, gaining recognition in renowned publications such as Vogue, The Source, and The Fader. 

An early trailblazer in the world of sneaker collecting, Santos traversed the globe as a buyer for the groundbreaking boutique label, NORT. His expeditions to countries like Amsterdam and Tokyo resulted in the acquisition of exclusive sneakers that solidified his reputation as an arbiter of rare and sought-after footwear. 

No matter the journey, all roads led back to his safe haven: Waivies” the last remaining bodega in what is now Soho. The book is about a bodega that doubled as a community stage. A place where locals and people such as myself who spent enough time in the neighborhood congregated. Good times and bad times, you could always catch someone to chill with at the bodega we called Paradise Deli, aka Wavies”.”

The book captures a rare hub that was frequented by Dominicans, citizens of little Italy and Chinatown right before the wave of gentrification set in.

I wanted them to see themselves as art because that's how I see them.”