Custom Kicks

by Kim Smits, Matthijs Maat

Customizing is hot. Everything can be from pimped cars to retro furniture. This major trend is especially popular in footwear. Customizing your own shoes is a way of stepping out of the crowd, of showing your personality. Just about every sneaker brand has found a way to put street art into their products; rain boots have never been more hip; and there are even customize festivals and exhibitions.

By inviting 150 artists and illustrators to show/create customized shoes the book will appeal not only to sneaker freaks, fashion fetishists, and trend watchers, but also to the graphic design and art audience. The main focus is on the artwork but the text examines the trend and How did it start? What materials do the artists use? There are also tips and tricks on how to create your very own unique shoes.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2008

Reviews

[Samantha]

If I were to walk down the street and see someone walking past me wearing glow in the dark shoes, sloth painted shoes, or shoes with extremely intricate patterns, I would definitely need to stop and look. Custom Kicks displays a plethora of different sneaker designs. The book has limited text (describing certain shoes) and mostly focuses on the detailed and extremely well done art painted on each of these shoes.

I chose this book because I wanted to explore different mediums for art, and this is definitely a great one. Most of the shoes that were meticulously designed will hopefully be preserved so their designs do not get ruined. My absolute favourite shoe, was a converse hightop painted with a baby sloth hanging on a tree. It was absolutely adorable!

Over all, the book helped me explore the different mediums to express my artsy side, and I will definitely try to expand my artistic side to different mediums.

[Sally]

140 pairs of shoes turned into works of art that function on feet. Great browsing that'll make you want to turn your footwear into your own.

[Kristen]

A creative collection of 'custom kicks'...makes me want to go and design a pair or two of shoes.

[Mercedes Hubbard]

this book is amazing. i am obsessed!

[Stephanie]

A book of photos of shoes that artists have painted/drawn/customized. Totally makes me want to write on my sneakers.

[Eling]

lots of nice photos, ideas & inspiration here but not a lot of substantive info. which is I think what it's meant to be-- a slick, nicely designed mini coffee table book. fun. stuff.

[Ji Min]

I think It as a great Non-Fiction to read, but I think there could have been more words as much as pictures.