Cult of personality

Every aspiring entrepreneur knows it takes a lot of moxie to show people that you mean business. While originality may serve as a good enough selling point for the average entrepreneur, it’s charisma that marks a truly gifted businessman. This is the first thing everyone notices about Neil Paras, the brains and talent behind NJ Sneakers. The je ne sais quoi that this young entrepreneur possesses makes it nearly impossible not to fall in love with him immediately. Once you get to talking, the soft-spoken 19-year-old’s demeanor immediately takes a backseat to an inalienable sense of determination and purpose that are uncharacteristic of others his age.

Neil’s life so far can be characterized as anything but ordinary. Although he admits to having had his fair share of tumultuous times and momentous experiences, the resilience and cool with which he recounts them exude a wisdom that some adults may never find. This maturity, partnered with irresistible charm and mind-blowing vision, are bound to make Neil a viable power player in the business and fashion worlds. 

Born into a family of artists (his older brother is designer John Paras) and art collectors (his grandmother collects paintings from artists such as Joya and Manansala), Neil’s original plan was to work in politics. The ingénue began to study diplomatic affairs at La Salle’s College of Saint Benilde until his undeniable need to scratch that creative itch and a well-timed twist of fate sent him along a completely different life trajectory.

Bored with the uninspiring monotony of existing trends, the artist and self-confessed fashionista decided to use his skills as a painter to express his signature style and he began to customize his own sneakers. Drawing inspiration from notable characters (both fictional and actual) he’d encountered in the past, Neil meticulously transformed plain, white Vans into wearable, stylized portraits of distinctive personas. What began as a few personalized pairs quickly developed into a collection of contemporary footwear featuring modern diptychs of characters ranging from iconic pop culture symbols to mysterious gothic entities to provocative female nudes. Neil wanted every single pair in his collection to “communicate the story behind each personality.” He also took his art a step further by using his shoes to depict the existing dualities that exist in a persona. Soon enough, Neil’s unorthodox canvases caught the discerning eye of Manila style icon and ultimate scenester, Tim Yap. In fact, he bought up half of Neil’s first collection (September 2006) immediately after viewing it.

“I established my own business in a six-month span,” says Neil, “Tim saw the potential in my work and was very supportive from the beginning. I’m thankful for that.”

Word quickly got round that NJ Sneakers offered one-of-a-kind, hand-painted shoes that stood out against the popular, glamorized urban brands that bastardized underground art in repetitive designs. The fabulous fashion renegades who didn’t care to fit in flocked to the brand, yearning for a taste of true individuality. Along with Tim Yap, Neil gained a celebrity following which included the likes of celebrated fashion plates like actor JM Rodriguez and Saga Productions’ owner and runway aficionado Robbie Carmona. Soon, scenesters and hipsters alike took to Neil’s masterpieces and the demand for NJ Sneakers grew so immensely that he began to outsource artists from Hong Kong and Japan to meet the needs of his rapidly expanding customer base. It became pretty obvious to the young entrepreneur then that when it comes down to business, the shoe definitely fits.

Neil has since shifted his course of study to entrepreneurship and has big plans for the future, which include opening a boutique of his own. Between finishing school, running a business and spending time with his parents and siblings, you’d think your average 19-year-old would be in way over his head. But then again, Neil is anything but average. And for him, a hectic schedule only means he’s one step closer to his dream.

“I see the shoes as a stepping stone to something bigger,” he says, “I want the brand to be universal, not just a trend. In order to do this, I need to expand my line… Maybe I could even work with my brother (John) in the future.”

Despite the endless possibilities and international influences on the brand, part of Neil’s long-term plan is to incorporate a more homegrown flavor to NJ Sneakers. He plans to feature the works of local artists and depict artistically rendered variants of the Philippine flag in his next collection as a personal testimonial to the talents of the Filipino. Neil feels it’s important to recognize the talent we have and hopes to revive the sense of national pride that seems lost with our generation. Sure, it may seem like a tall order, but for Neil, it’s just the beginning. 

It’s quite clear that Neil Paras is going places. But unlike most people who find themselves moving up in the world, he’s managed to keep his feet on the ground. And in totally slinkster-cool shoes.

“I’m very grateful for everything that’s happened to me,” he says, “As long as people continue to appreciate what I do, I’m happy to always make sure I have something special to offer them.”

He pauses to smile and says, “I’m really lucky.”