Customizing "CHANGE"

We got a chance to talk to Van -- famous for the Obama custom kicks....With the inauguration coming up, we decided to talk to him and find out a little more about this very talented artist.


Who are your influences?

Well my main influence is Jesus Christ; he gave me the ability to do what I do, and at the level I do it. All the glory belongs to the Lord. Artistically, I'm inspired by classical music composers such as Mozart and lyrically inclined artists like Nas because of the way they paint pictures with musical notes or words. They keep me razor sharp when I'm thinking of my new projects by making me think outside the box in my approach. These people are such creative geniuses; it forces you to elevate your game.

How do you choose the subject matter for your shoes (which ranges from political to sports icons)?

It depends. I generally create the subject matter but sometimes the client has something they want done and I paint it for them. All of my major designs from political to sports icons (i.e: Obama, Darfur, Fleetwood, etc), have all been my independent creations. I always wanted to add substance to my work to give more for people to feed off of. So whatever is on my mind or soul at the time…I release on the sneakers.

What type of paint do you use on sneakers?
I use Angelus mainly but sometimes I mix Createx. I have only used those two brands…if there are more out there I'm ignorant to them.

The Louisville slugger sneakers. Who is the person on the sneakers tongue? Why did you choose him? What technique did you choose to place the image on the tongue? The gentleman on the shoe is Moses Fleetwood Walker. He is one of a few African-Americans to integrate a major league before Jackie Robinson did in 1947. The first is believed to be Bud Fowler. None of these gentlemen are celebrated. In 1883, Walker made his debut with the Toledo Blue Stockings in Louisville, Kentucky. Also the same year the Louisville Slugger bat debuted. So I decided to tie the two together in one shoe.

Which custom design do you feel is your favorite?
My favorite shoe or shoes have to be the ones dedicated to people who lost their lives. The Northern Illinois University shoes in honor of the students who were killed last year on February 14. The other is of a gentleman name Montre Walker who tragically lost his life in a home accident in 2006.

What are you working on now? Or what was your most recent work.
I can not get into many details about what I'm creating now...but just stay tuned to www.myspace.com/van20. In 2009, I will approach themes never explored, techniques never performed on shoes before. So I'm looking forward to the process.

Custom Sneaker Queen Interview part 2

(Scorpion Forces...new from Qustom Queen)

Here is Part 2 of a three part talk with Qustom Queen...we love her ish...what can we say?! Missed Part 1 click Qustom Queen 1 to read it.

Let's talk about you getting into the Sneakerpimps tour. This was a special experience for you from beginning to end. Can you tell us about it?

I had contacted Sneakerpimps a few years back to ask if they were planning on coming to the UK at any point, and my message was passed on to Pete Fahey (founder of Sneakerpimps) who had a look at my myspace and asked if I would create something for the tour. I was over the moon, at that point I didnt even consider having my work on the tour so it was amazing to be approached like that instead of asking them. I now have 3 pairs on the tour. I've still never been to a Sneakerpimps show! I'm trying to get to NY in October for Sneakerpimps this year though. Its going to be big.

We'll mention three of our favorite sneakers -- you can tell us the back story behind its creation:

THE WRITINGS ON THE WALL

These were designed as part of the UUFA collection. I think they took about 12 hours in total to complete. I designed these to represent the time when I first discovered that word of my work was spreading online, and the anonymity of the internet gives people courage to say whats really on their minds - just like if you were writing something on a wall and no one was looking.

Big Cities & Bright Lights

There are two cities under this theme - New York and London. Very similar places actually. I had been wanting to try out a glow in the dark theme and thought a city skyline was perfect and reminded me of my first trip to NY in 2006 on the ride from the airport all you see is this massive block of light against the dark.

Worship the Ground She Walks on


I cant lie, these were a tribute, well, a diss, to my ex! The lips to represent affection, attention and passion, and the pavement effect to represent that if your lady doesnt get what she deserves, she's going to walk away. One of my favourite pairs. Alot of people have picked the inspiration up wrong as being 'kiss my feet because I am a Queen'

Speaking of 'Worship the Ground She Walks on,' your page, your descriptions, and statements on your myspace page show a bit of confidence that the level of quality and creativity of your designs are unparalleled. Are we right? Is this why you have the name 'Qustom Queen'?

Qustom Queen is confident, she is my alter ego. It took a long time to come - I still dont see what everyone else sees sometimes but I have developed a confidence in the past few years which I think shows in my work. I'm not saying that they are unparalleled at all - there are many that I look up to and awe at designs that other artists produce - mostly Mache (he's cute too) Emanuelabor, Mizzee and C2. There are things I can do that others cant, but at the same time, there are things others can do that I cant (yet..)

My favorite customs other than my heat sensitive kicks are my 'paradise' designs which I have done on all kinds of bases - but the best pair I did were done on a dunk hi - you look at them and it actually relaxes you.


More to come from Qustom Queen. Check out her myspace if you love her kicks.

If you are a talented custome sneaker designer let us know.
Email: sean@encorestatus.com

Get 'em while they're HOT

"COLD" (top picture) "HOT" (second picture)



A little while ago, we were given the opportunity to interview Queen Qustom from the UK. Queen has customed designed kicks for artists like Jay-Z and Memphis Bleek. This award winning custom designer is definitely on the come up. Here is part 1 of her interview--

Queen, what are your biggest achievements to date?The best moment for me so far was winning the award for Best Customizing Designer at the UK Urban Fashion Awards in 2007. I really didnt expect to win. I know everyone says that but I was still new in the game; the only sneaker customizer to enter and up against the favorites - last years winners. But, I won, I had a great time and it opened alot of doors for me. Another of my favorite moments was designing for Jay-Z recently when he was in the UK. I got the go ahead from the tour manager and had a busy few days putting together some kicks for Jay-Z and Memphis Bleek. Didn't get to meet Jay but met up with Bleek and he loved the kicks. I was invited to go to the next tour date, got on the guestlist for the concert and met with Bleek again to give him another pair. He said Jay-Z liked the kicks I did for him, and to tell me he thinks I'm talented. I want that in writing [Laughs].

How many pairs of sneakers and shoes do you own? Which is your most prized pair and why?
Personally, I have about 35 pairs, and I have a room full of customized sneakers which are not my size but I just cant bare to part with. My most prized pair is my 'practice' kicks. I used to try techniques out on them before laying them down on a fresh pair. They are a complete mess with little sections of different designs and so many different colors.

Is there a special story behind you creating the heat sensitive kicks?I had an idea in the back of my mind to get hold of one of the heat sensitive tees you used to get back in the 90's and use it to customize a pair of dunks. I was having a nightmare trying to find a new unworn tee so my research began in to the technology behind it and my heat sensitive paints were born!

To continue this conversation along the line of your heat sensitive sneakers, please talk about the "hunter v hunted high af1 heat sensitive"-

What inspired it? Getting onto the Sneakerpimps tour.
The "Hunter V Hunted" design was originally done on a pair of court forces, and redesigned for sneakerpimps on a high AF1 at 'cold' temperature. The sneakers have a tiger print design...but when exposed to heat such as hot weather, a hairdryer, warm hands, the orange changes to white - giving it a zebra print. I am so excited about the heat sensitive range - its amazing to be wearing one pair of sneakers when you are in an air conditioned room, then you step outside in the heat and they change to have a completely different appearance. This is something that is currently exclusive to Qustom Queen - you cant purchase heat sensitive custom kicks anywhere else.

....THERE's MORE...later on we will hear from about how her custom kicks actually got on the sneaker pimps tour and the story and motivation behind 3 of her custom kicks... and her infamous 'Sneaketto' heels.

If you'd like to see more of her work please visit her myspace: http://www.myspace.com/qustomqueen
Like what you see and want to order: Contact qustomqueen@yahoo.co.uk for more information

One of the best custom kicks designers in the World?

When EncoreStatus.com launches in the fall, we'll have some pleasant surprises for you. We've talked to the most talented designers around the world. One of the artists we spoke to customized the kicks below. What do you think? Is he Encore Status? Vote below! Join the mailing list for more info on the designer.

Quizzes by Quibblo.com