Post by David Hubacher

January 2013 a friend added me to a WhatsApp group called “It’s gotta be the shoes 👟” — a chat filled with sneaker collectors from Switzerland, back when sneaker collecting was still a niche here. We all shared the same hobby and talked about upcoming releases and everything around it. One random weekend we met up, walked around Zurich and photographed sneakers. We were just collectors enjoying the same passion, talking about shoes, taking photos and having a great first meetup. Never in my life would I have imagined that some of the people in that chat would still be in my life today, 12 years later — some as friends you bump into and have a great conversation with, and some even among my closest friends, like Kevin Ringli. One of the people in that chat was Manuel Francisco García, known in the community as French, or better: @elzapatillaztio. French was a pioneer in the sneaker scene — a true OG. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and passed away two months ago after fighting one of the hardest battles there is. After his diagnosis, he and one of his closest friends in the sneaker community, Leandro Eicher, came up with the idea to publish a book — a collection of his best shots and interviews with legends from the sneaker and fashion community. Leo called me one day to ask if I had time to help them shoot a few images for the book because French was too weak to continue. I didn’t hesitate for a second. I jumped in. And how lucky I was to get that call. That small “help” turned into a contribution of 39 images for the book — and the best part of it: it gave me time with French. I was with them photographing sneakers, shooting the final images for the release, and visiting the Children’s Hospital Zurich to capture the strong kids painting shoes they received from Clarks. Why? Because all profits will be donated to the Children’s Hospital Zurich, helping create spaces where kids can play, heal and dream. Two days before he passed away, Leo and French went through the book one last time. They finished it together and sent it off to print. ETERNAL SOLE — A Chronicle of Sneaker Culture Printed in a limited edition of 500 copies. In memory of Manuel Francisco García — French, @elzapatillaztio Releasing December 11, 2025 (TODAY!) — Zurich & online 100% of profits will be donated to the Children’s Hospital Zurich.