Footwear
I spent a lot of time in my own world as a kid, so creativity has always felt like a part of my DNA. My ability to create took me from selling shoe drawings for 25 cents in 7th grade, to becoming the founder of my former global brand (GroundBreaker Customs); producing custom footwear, apparel, and accessories for a wide range of clients at the age of 17.
GroundBreaker Customs was terminated in 2015, and has since made the transition into a subsidiary of 723. Through both GBC and 723, I've been blessed to either meet, befriend, design for, recieve exposure/endorsements from, work with, and/or learn from:
adidas
Nike
Wells Fargo
Marquette University Men's Basketball
ESPN
Microsoft
Reebok
Millenial Magazine
TOMS
Motorized Precision
And many more.
Using quality materials, subtle accents and strategic colorblocking, I focus on innovation and attention to detail in producing custom work. I don't customize footwear for hype. I don't customize footwear for social media notoriety, and I don't customize footwear for the money. Customization represents one of the many outlets I utilize in efforts to express myself, while allowing me to give clients something they can take pride in; as they receive the only pair of it's kind in the world.
"On My Way" - Wells Fargo
Blessed with the opportunity to work with Wells Fargo in spring 2017 for their "On My Way" campaign, highlighting several creative, independent individuals who are crafting their own journeys. See the official ad and Director's cut from EightFold Collective below, and click here to read the profile from Wells Fargo.
"Deluxe" Nike Air Force 1
Originally an all-white AF1 mid- a DELUXE brand, camouflage shirt covers the entire shoe. Completely deconstructed/reconstructed.
"Midnight Black" adidas Ultraboost
Dyed primeknit, dyed boost, and gold accents came together for a "Midnight Black" Ultraboost custom before adidas launched the official colorway. Keeping this video up because R.I.P. Mac Miller.
Primeknit upper/sock collar duo, with gold accents along the front bumpers/rear pull tab, a black boost midsole, and black eyelets; strategically positioned and firmly implanted to allow for multiple lacing styles in both the front and back.
Lacing options in the front and back, with a yellowed boost midsole and customized adidas branding.
The CS1 and R1 come together for the "Cousin" pack, including a black boost midsole on the R1, a carbon fiber tongue on the CS1, and gold eyelets.
the UltraBOOST 2.0 uncaged with a darkened upper, black eyelets, a black boost midsole, and about 5 months of wear.
Uncaged with gold eyelets, and a "pure white" treatment for the upper.
Yin & Yang color blocking through black eyelets, a black boost midsole, and innovated branding (inspired by the current adidas branding trends), on a white UltraBOOST 1.0 base.
Completely deconstructed/reconstructed using a mix of patent leather and garment cow skin, accented by Stan Smith inspired stitching and branding. This pair was done for the Eyes & Edge/adidas/Antonio Brasko "Just For Kicks" event for Portland Design Week in 2014. Proceeds went to "Harper's Playground", an organization dedicated to building playgrounds accessible not just for those with disabilities, but for everyone; regardless of ability.
Red eyelets, and dyed red boost collaborate for a simple project.
Dyed boost and carbon fiber combine, to present the kind of running shoe Halo's 'Master Cheif' would wear... If he were a real human.
Dyed primeknit, dyed boost, and gold accents come together to hold us over until adidas releases the official "Triple Black" Ultraboost.
In efforts to stay in line with the "nomad" theme, this pair is considered the 'custom without a home'; in a sense that the colorway changes periodically. Currently, I've customized this pair 4 times.
Originally an all-white AF1 mid- a DELUXE brand, camouflage shirt covers the entire shoe. Completely deconstructed/reconstructed.
Completely deconstructed/reconstructed, and in line with a military themed run of customs (in progress); digital camouflage and carbon fiber vinyl collaborate in honor of the United States Department of The Navy, and Midshipmen and Administrators of the Marquette University Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Completely deconstructed/reconstructed, and in line with a military themed run of customs (in progress); digital camouflage and carbon fiber upholstery collaborate in honor of the United States Marine Corps.
Thesignature fingerprint pattern, and a gradient from a vibrant 'Volt' neon green into black collaborate on the outer side of each shoe, and with the goal in mind to add a personal/unique twist- I replicated my left and right thumb prints on the pump of the respective shoes.
The signature fingerprint pattern, gold eyelets, and detailed branding work together to mark the start of a new era.