Is there new music that inspires you when designing new products?

I don't listen to many new things, mostly old things. I don't really listen to music that much. I listen to it in the car, or on an airplane, but not at the office so much. But it's kind of random what I listen to; I just have all my music, and the songs just select randomly.

You've collaborated with so many great brands over the years. What do you love about collaboration so much?

I always try to collaborate person-to-person, not with brands. So I have a few guys at Nike I like working with. I like mixing my ideas with their ideas, not from the brand's ideas, but from personal ideas. I will work with anyone at any brand if I like them, whether young or old. I love working with Tinker [Hatfield, Nike sneaker designer] and Mark Parker [CEO of Nike] because they are older and have a lot of knowledge.

How do you feel about high-fashion sneakers, particular ones that copy iconic Nike styles?

I think they are not sneakers. I think there is a big gap between sneakers, trainers, and designer silhouettes. I don't call these styles sneakers, I call them designer shoes that look like sneakers. I don't really wear them, but I understand why people would want to wear them. Sometimes, design, they are really good.

Your sneakers, especially your recent Air Jordan 1 collaboration, are often hard to get. How do you feel about the limited-edition nature of sneaker releases these days? Is it still as necessary as it once was?

I don't really make sneakers to make them limited. It's up to Nike to determine how much they want to make. And the thing about the Air Jordan 1 is that it's not too small; I think it was a somewhat larger release. Sometimes they're hard to get, but when I was young, it was more difficult to get what I wanted [than it is for kids today]. There was no Internet. If I saw something in a magazine, I had to call them or actually go there. Many young kids complain, "Oh, I won't be able to get this sneaker again." But you can, if you're lucky. There's many shoes out there. I want everyone to have it who wants to have it. But it's hard because so many people buy them just to make money. And I don't like that. And sometimes it's good to work hard to get a sneaker, because otherwise you won't buy it.

Do you have any plans of collaborating with Jordan on a new Air Jordan silhouette?

I would love to do the 2 or 3 if I can do it. I like the classic-looking Jordans. The new Jordans, I understand the designs, but I don't think I would wear them as much. I like the vintage-looking shoes. I don't really make shoes that I don't want to wear.