My name is Herbby. I was born in Guadeloupe in 1989. I live in Paris. I share my passion and knowledge of Basketball, Sneakers, Culture and Art as a Creative Consultant, Exhibition Curator, Writer and Content creator.
I'm a former Nike/Jordan Brand Retail, Marketing and Event Specialist: Quai 54, Palais 23, NBA tip-off 2017 with Kobe Bryant in Paris, Air Max Day, All Parisian Games, events for high-heat sneaker launches, Nike Forum Les Halles store opening...
I created my own Block Party concept, in my hometown, after going to Spike Lee's Block Party "Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson" on the Do The Right Thing Way, in Brooklyn, NYC.
HIP-HOP 50 - Cultural Exhibition
I curated the "HIP-HOP 50" exhibition during the DRP Festival 2023 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the movement. The concept? A unique presentation of 50 exclusive collectibles from my personal collection.
From iconic sneakers to reference books through classic albums signed by Nas, RZA or JAY-Z, the visitors had the opportunity to live a memorable experience which reflected the richness of Hip-Hop Culture.
Thanks to DRP for the collaboration, ODBR gallery for the photo exhibition of Jules Renault and Michel Haddi, TV STORE for the vintage TV, Konbini for the talk and last but not least, Le Boug Arknow for hosting the exhibition.
To conclude the "HIP-HOP 50" experience, I curated, wrote and released a 50-copy collector magazine about my love for the culture, the genesis of the exhibition and personal stories on each piece of the exhibition. After a successful pre-launch in Dubai, the magazine was well received in Paris and overseas!
92 JAM - Basketball Exhibition
From the concept to the scenography through the artistic direction, I built from scratch the "92 JAM" basketball exhibition, in partnership with Basket4Ballers, for Nanterre 92 at the Paris La Défense Arena.
The concept? An immersive and culture-driven basketball exhibition with high-quality pieces from my personal collection, around the number 92: the department of Nanterre, the host venue and the famous Dream Team of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics!
We made sure to include items of current All-Star players for a successful intergenerational experience.
HerbbySince'89 Block Party
We went from 500 attendees in 2017 to 1,000 in 2019: families, kids, teenagers, elders, ballers... from Noisiel, its surroundings, Paris and overseas!
The main event is the exhibition of nearly 200 sneakers and basketball jerseys of my personal collection, displayed in a striking artistic direction.
The exhibition is completed with cultural, sport, creative and recreational activities: workshops, talks, contests with special prizes to win, live sneaker custom, photo exhibitions, DJ sets, a food truck and drink stands...
We love this game!
Ballers come early and ready to compete during the 3-point and 1 vs 1 contests hosted by the local club. Kids have their own play area and a mini-basketball hoop.
White Men Can't Jump but women can so we bring to life a basketball contest for them only.
6.30PM: the speaker announces the big surprise game of musical chairs around the 89 shaped by the sneaker exhibition.
7PM: the new DJ set starts for a 1-hour show with 50 participants of all ages, showing their best dance moves (and their sneaky side)!
8PM: the game ends with a memorable friendly collision...
9PM: everybody gets on the Soul Train to wrap up the day on a happy note!
Consulting for Nike, Jordan Brand, Foot Locker and StockX on:
- Sneaker Culture
- Basketball (Performance and Lifestyle)
- Youth Culture
- Social and Community Impact
- Diversity and Inclusion - Black Lives Matter
- Marketing, Communication and Events
- PR and Influence
- Digital and Social Media
- Design (Footwear, Apparel and Accessories)
- Retail
Consulting for the All Parisian Games - U17/U20 Community Basketball Program:
Since 2013, APG founders, Paul Odonnat and Bakary Sakho, have created the most dynamic basketball community in Paris with empowering sport, entrepreneurial and social initiatives for boys and girls.
Writing of Culture-driven articles for the French blog of StockX
More articles to read here!
Writing of the booklet of the Jordan Air Ship SP x Opium Paris
Copywriting for Nike SNKRS app
Writing of the craft book for Opium Paris x Jordan Brand x Maison Château Rouge
Creative workshop for the release of the Maison Château Rouge x Air Jordan 2 Retro SP "United Youth International"
I co-designed the Nike Air Max 1 By You "Culture & Diversité" with the Nike By You Workshop program.
The concept of my design is the promotion of unity between genders, communities, the Parisian suburbs and the center of Paris.
I also organised a creative workshop to customise the box of my co-design.
Each side of the box highlights a part of my story, the inspirations of my design and the human values promoted through this creative project. From Guadeloupe to Tinker Hatfield via the RER A, the least detail is well-thought and remarkably illustrated for a high-quality piece of art.
Here is the artwork by the illustrator Gwenn GLM.
Meet & Greet "Culture & Diversité"
"Culture & Diversité 97.1" event in Guadeloupe
From the release of my co-design, I wanted to organise an event in my home island as a personal full-circle achievement... and I did!
"Culture & Diversité 97.1" is a sneaker exhibition dedicated to Black Culture, notably from the French West Indies, enriched with cultural, artistic and entrepreneurial activations, hosted by local artists and myself.
The 1-week event took place at the Librairie Générale by CCH (Caribbean Culture House) which has been a major actor of the Guadeloupean Culture since 1952. The initiative was supported by the main local media outlets such as France-Antilles, RCI, Canal 10 and Éclair TV. The program included:
- live podcast on the notions of passion and business hosted by TuFeKwa
- live artistic performance on canvas by young local artists
- live talk on the transmission of the Afro Caribbean Cultures with local entrepreneurs such as Loxymore, IRESA, Assos Racines and RJVERT
- gwoka performance to conclude the event in rhythm!
What's next? Organise more events in the French West Indies.
Culture is the key of Unity within Diversity. Learn. Share. Inspire.
The Paris Ring - basketball league made in Grand Paris - Nike Basketball, Jordan Brand and YARD
Sneaker exhibition dedicated to Black Culture during the "Fashion ? Oui !" event
Launch of the PUMA x Butter Goods collection
Content creation: "corduroy, nostalgia and vintage inspiration" at CUT Street Food (4 rue Saint-Bernard, 75011 Paris)
Press
HerbbySince'89 Block Party
Pre-event TV and social media ad on BET:
Sneakers
Guest of Clique & Collec show hosted by Sébastien Abdelhamid on Clique TV
CaminoTV Interview (Les Shoes De La Vie - LSDLV):
Style
Nike Air Max 1 By You "Culture & Diversité"
Credits:
Instagram @kickmaniac / @tonton_gibs / @lokma.ne / @__.fatfat / @thinlay.svphotography / @nlegerfilms / @miaskick / @thesweetgram / @fxrougeot / @chrlyg / @glodimiessi / @azm________ / @lebougmelo / @adrelanine / @alyasmusic / @nike / @millionshurdle / @millionsmovies / @gwenn.glm / @mwakart_visual / @dims_dps / @jeffryjunes / @stefypocket / @cliquetv / @caminotv / @bet_tv_fr / @iammichellemarshall / @eva.al.desnudo / @netflixfrance