New York-based Essie Golden and Katie Alexis are the founders of Thick Laces, a platform they launched in 2020 to create a community for plus-size streetwear and sneaker lovers. What started as a hashtag evolved into an Instagram feed and blog where the duo provides daily styling tips, news on upcoming launches and recommendations on plus-size friendly brands.
Thick Laces has worked with Nike, New Balance, Reebok and eBay, and earlier this year Golden was invited onto “The Kelly Clarkson Show” to discuss the platform. Golden, who also founded the platform Golden Confidence, was also recently interviewed on “Claima Stories with Bimma” podcast.
Providing some feedback on why she chose Joe Freshgoods‘ take on New Balance’s 993 silhouette as her No. 1 silhouette, Golden explained, “JFG has had incredible year. Every release he’s had this year came with a meaningful story. The 993 is one of my favorite New Balance silhouette because it’s so comfortable! JFG updated the classic model and showed us comfort doesn’t have to sacrifice style. I always love the small details he puts into his designs. The colors of all three shoes are perfect. I never feel like I have to have all three of a collection but I definitely did with this one! It was worth it.”
Commenting on her selection of the Salomon XT-4 in an Evening Primrose, Mint Leaf, Lolite colorway, Alexis said, “Salomon really broke the mold with the color scheme. Reminds me of ’90s colors of how you can match anything with this particular sneaker.”
Check out Golden’s top six and Alexis’ top five sneaker selections for 2022 below.
Essie Golden
Katie Alexis
