ETC. Archives | Documenting Custom Sneakers

A Sneaker Customizer’s Library: Custom Kicks by MAKI

May 15, 2013

Coming up on being 5 years old Custom Kicks by MAKI is still a should-be-staple in any sneaker customizer’s library. Released in 2008 by the small design and illustration studio named MAKI based in Groningen, Netherlands and published by Laurence King Publishing this is the first book dedicated to nothing but sneaker customization. After customizing their own shoes Kim and Matthijs decided to a curate list of artist and those that have customized shoes. Some pairs were made specifically for the book and others made previously.

ComplexMag Art + Design: 20 Sneaker Customizers You Need To Know

November 14, 2016May 14, 2013

The current amount of social media profiles that PaintOrThread follows that are considered “sneaker customizers” is over an average of 200 on each outlet. That total is growing everyday. Without some people choosing to customize regularly over years the hobby of customizing a pair of shoes by hand likely wouldn’t be able to be considered a topic for it’s own lane of art and design. In the past Complex’s lists dealing with sneaker customization have been a basket of mixed reactions but this one is likely the most accurate.

Jake Danklefs of Dank Customs Favorite 20 Custom Shoes of All Time

October 26, 2013April 30, 2013

Air Jordan IV x Nike Yeezy II Custom by @ammoskunk x @sewnupsoles

April 24, 2013April 23, 2013

As the custom sneaker world grows and certain customizers focus on a niche skill the amount of collaborations will only increase. An often seen custom is that of a colorswap, but instead of just a color change @ammoskunk and SewnUpSoles went a bit further to be filed under the “hybrid” classification. Titled “Air Yeezy IV Revelation” this retro Air Jordan IV has been mashed up with that of an Nike Air Yeezy II. What started out as a Jordan IV retro in the military blue colorway now has the look of the Yeezy II’s black/solar red colorway starting with an all black upper.

@JBFcustoms X @RegularOlTy Air Jordan 1 “Venetto” Custom Q & A

April 23, 2013

With teasers hitting the Internet last week it was our duty to bring an inside scoop on this interesting work by JBF Customs. The project is in fact a collaborative design effort between Jake of JBF Customs and @RegularOlTy of Leaders1354. The latest in JBF’s line of reconstructed custom sneakers these truly represents “premium” starting with a thick burgundy leather used on the toes, lace, and heel panels. The next obvious material is cork placed from the toe box, mid panels, Swooshes, tongues and upper heels.

Vans Custom Culture Top 50 Semi-Finalists Announced

April 24, 2013April 22, 2013

Today Vans announced the Top 50 Semi Finalist schools as part of their annual Custom Culture contest. That 50 school list equates to 200 different customized Vans with four entered from each high school’s brightest artists. That may seem like a lot but realize that up to 1500 schools may have entered split into 5 regions. Heck the STATE of California has it’s own region (fitting of course). That equals a total of 6000 custom Vans made for this contest. Imagine having to weed through to get the Top 50.

Inside Look at @DeJesusCustom Sneakers Video

April 18, 2013

Behind each pair of customs sneakers you see across the web today is a unique story of a sneaker customizer. Many times the story starts with someone that had an interest in sneakers growing up thanks to basketball or possibly the footwear companies marketing tactics. Somewhere down the line they likely also had a passion for creating, drawing, or painting. Despite those similarities each has a different path on how they figured out what it takes to make a wearable custom sneaker.

@NYCSociety X @NoldoCustoms Air Jordan XI low Snakeskin Blackout

April 24, 2013April 18, 2013

Last month Noldo Customs set Instagram a fire with a simple addition of black to the white midsole of the Air Jordan XI bred retro. Orders surely came rushing in with many others inspired to give the look a shot on their own pairs. This time a customer request allowed Noldo to team up with NYCE Society on a similar design on the XI low. The previously all white with red sole XI low release from last summer was given a snakeskin stitched overlay upon the white patent leather by NYCE Society. The black and red skin was complimented by Noldo painting the white upper, tongues, and midsoles a la the blacked out bred XI.

A Sneaker Customizer’s Library: Custom Kicks by MAKI

ComplexMag Art + Design: 20 Sneaker Customizers You Need To Know

Jake Danklefs of Dank Customs Favorite 20 Custom Shoes of All Time

Air Jordan IV x Nike Yeezy II Custom by @ammoskunk x @sewnupsoles

@JBFcustoms X @RegularOlTy Air Jordan 1 “Venetto” Custom Q & A

Vans Custom Culture Top 50 Semi-Finalists Announced

Inside Look at @DeJesusCustom Sneakers Video

@NYCSociety X @NoldoCustoms Air Jordan XI low Snakeskin Blackout

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