Meet the APL twins, Adam and Ryan Goldston, as they talk about the infamous NBA banned shoe, top favourite sneakers and their design no-nos
Though only 29 years old, it’s clear that twin brothers and founders of Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL), Adam and Ryan Goldston, were made for success. Their careers kicked off innocuously enough in 2009 from their dorm room, where the duo experimented with basketball shoe technology. Their success in 2010 came hand-in-hand with controversy: the first shoes they engineered were the first to be banned in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Today, APL (which, FYI, is exclusively available in Singapore at Pedder on Scotts) is a household name not only amongst professional athletes, but celebs like Kim K and Jessica Alba. Beyond the performance-oriented details, it’s easy to see why they’re fast becoming cult fashion favourites – these kicks are seriously stylish. Case in point? The Techloom Phantom collection boasts sleek, low-cut silhouettes, exceptional fit, and comes in trending colourways like nude, rose gold and grey. Below, the brothers talk about their brand’s aesthetic, upcoming collabs, and their working relationship.
First things first, could you tell us about how APL took off?
We founded APL in our college dorm room in March 2009. As former athletes, playing both basketball and football at the University of Southern California, we envisioned creating a company providing revolutionary products symbolising the ultimate intersection of design and performance.
Not being the tallest guys on the team, we saw the need for a shoe that could make basketball players jump higher, thus inspiring us to design the Concept 1. In June 2010, we became the creators of the first shoe proven to instantly make you jump higher due to APL’s revolutionary 8-spring Load ‘N Launch Technology in the forefoot. As a result, the Concept 1 became the first shoe banned in the NBA’s 64-year history for performance reasons by “providing an undue competitive advantage”.
Growing up with your dad who was a major industry player, what small yet significant stories have stuck with you?
Our dad worked at L.A. Gear in the 1990s. We were five years old when he brought home the first samples of L.A. Lights for kids. We ran into the bathroom and closed the door so it would be pitch-black, and then we started stomping all around. But we couldn’t see our own lights, because they were on the back of the shoe. So we told him that he should put them on the side of the shoe, and he called the factory to move the lights accordingly. We’d like to say that’s how we got started in the industry.
In the eight years since you started APL, what has changed?
Our company launched with basketball shoes, but we now offer men’s and women’s running, training, and lifestyle shoes along with apparel. We’re now also stocked at retailers around the world. Our company continues to grow and expand every year.
Though you both actively competed in football and basketball back in college, you pursued different majors. Has this affected your working styles?
We created APL together, and everything we do is very much a joint effort. Our work styles are very similar; we like to say we work airport hours Sunday to Sunday. It’s great working closely with someone who shares your same goals and values.
Describe the APL aesthetic.
APL is the intersection of technology, performance and fashion – enabling athletes to maximise their potential in all aspects of their life.
What do you think will be a defining style characteristic of sneakers this year?
We continue to see a growing demand for both style and function. People no longer have to sacrifice one for the other.
Name a design pet peeve.
Too many unnecessary embellishments.
Who are your favourite brands? And what would you say are your top five favourite sneakers?
Our brand is our favourite brand. As for our top five sneakers, we’d say the TechLoom Phantom, TechLoom Pro, Ascend, Lusso Supreme and Boomer.
Could you tell us a little about future projects or upcoming collaborations?
We partnered with Renault Sport for the 2016 F1 season and that has been an amazing partnership for everyone. This year, we are building on the success from last year with Renault Sport. We’ll be announcing a few other exciting projects in the near future.
And finally, as twins, do you guys have a psychic connection when it comes to making decisions? And is there any sibling rivalry at all?
There is no sibling rivalry; we’ve never had that issue. We are incredibly competitive, but we’re competitive in a constructive sense where we push one another to be the best that we possibly can. As far as having a psychic connection, no, we don’t. However, having been with one another virtually every day for 29 years, we understand each other’s decision and thought process about as well as any two people can, which enables us to act in a quicker manner than most.
Athletic Propulsion Labs is exclusively sold at Pedder On Scotts, Scotts Square Level 2, 6 Scotts Road, Scotts Square, Singapore 228209