Owning a pair of pricey, coveted sneakers has become a badge of honour in a society driven by all that’s hype-worthy in fashion. Every streetwear acolyte yearns for kicks that double as a walking status symbol for their feet — the harder the shoe is to locate and purchase, the better. Ultimately, few things in the sneaker-verse make a statement more boldly than one that is unique to you, and that is where sneaker customisers step in.
You’ve seen the likes of famous rappers, basketball players and other reigning style icons turn to sneaker customisers to give their shoes a personalised makeover, adorning them with personal logos or fresh colourways. The artists responsible occasionally put out their own unique designs in extremely limited quantities as well, amplifying the exclusivity already associated with their trade.
Singapore has a fair bunch of sneaker customisers you can approach should you be keen on giving your kicks an individual touch. We’ve rounded up some of the best.
MR Simply CUSTOMS
Mr Simply Custom recently went viral for his Air Jordan 1s that flaunted an Indomie design, with just a touch of Virgil Abloh in the mix. That kitschy take on shoe customisation is ingrained into Mr Simply Custom’s DNA, given that his feed sports other Air Jordans upgraded with art that features Jurassic Park, Dragon Ball Z and The Simpsons. Beyond sneakers, he also accepts commissions for customised denim jackets and suitcases.
iNNOVATED ELEMENTAL DESIGNS
This Phillippines-based sneaker customiser has made a name for itself on the Internet with its Star Wars–themed Adidas NMD customs, branded with graphics that tease to popular characters like R2-D2 and Darth Maul. Its customs are far subtler, banking on colour-blocking and emblems to tell the story you want. Prices for its work begin at US$200 (S$270), and it ships worldwide.
TK COLLECTIVE
TK Collective is a band of five customisers based in Singapore. They have been running their establishment since 2014, making them stalwarts amongst homegrown sneaker artists. No matter the style or design, TK Collective will try to deliver, so you can expect the collective to push out customs that sport pop culture motifs, Asian art, bootleg branded crossovers (think Adidas x Supreme) and everything in between.
MR SABOTAGE
Singapore’s Mike Ong, also known as Mr Sabotage, has spearheaded Singapore’s custom sneaker scene since he began some 15 years ago. Since the creation of his label SBTG, he has received commissions from the likes of Kobe Bryant, Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda and other notable names, alongside numerous collaborations with underground streetwear labels. If you want your shoes to be dressed by one of the top designers in the global game, then reach out to Mr Sabotage.