Toosday Shoesday: Customised Nike Air Jordan 1 for US$6,500
“Sneaker-fever” has undoubtedly been one of the biggest trends of the past 2 years. I personally prefer Common Projects or Golden Goose Deluxe Brand because they’re less common, super comfy, and the slight concealed platform on GGDB sneaks makes me a tad taller (hey don’t judge me, lol) and I like that they come pre-stained with dirt marks. Those who probably aren’t in the know, however, would think my sneakers need to be cleaned. Whichever your preference, gone are the days of the regular sneaker. These days, it has gotta be the NMD, or the Air Jordan, while designer versions include the Gucci Ace, or the “snockers” (sock-sneakers, usually of the high-top variety) where Balenciaga’s “Speed Sneaker” and Dior’s “B21” immediately come to mind. Regular kicks just don’t cut it anymore; brands are constantly trying to outdo each other with more and more luxury versions of the humble sneaker.
But… what do you do if a Limited Edition sneaker still isn’t good enough for you? Well, customisation is definitely key. These days, I personally know of people who buy Goyard and Louis Vuitton bags and actually cut them up, in order to customise their Vans, Supergas, and what-have-yous. Okay, take a moment to gather yourself, because when I first heard this, I thought it was completely insane. I mean, mutilating designer bags just so you can have them sewn onto your sneaks?! You know that emoji that looks like artist Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” – yes that blue faced one with mouth wide open and both palms at the side of its face? Yep, that was my reaction, except, in real life. I mean, by cutting up a Goyard or a Vuitton, this, to me, was #commitment. Not to mention, with the money spent on the bags, you could probably already have purchased a pair of Vuitton sneaks and still have money leftover. The replies to this are usually “but these are store-bought and aren’t customised!” Okay, okay, I rest my case, but this is probably something I may never understand, lol.
If customisation is your jam, and you want something even more #nextlevel, then let me introduce you to Daniel Jacob. Based in Chicago, Jacob creates one-of-a-kind bedazzled sneakers, but wait, it’s not just with your average diamanté versions, but actual gemstones, which can cost a whopping US$6,500 a pair! This pair that you see right here, is what he calls “Golds”, covered in 15,000 Swarovski crystals that he had set completely by hand. So where did he get such an idea? Well, it all began with a Nike Air Jordan Golds sculpture he created for the 2016 Market and Design Show in the Hamptons.
My work for a long time was sculpture, and my large Air Jordan sculpture was mistaken by many as wearable, and I received hundreds of requests in the last year. So much demand but I finally decided to do a mini-launch in my favorite color of my favorite Jordans, the Pinnacle – Jacob, quoted in Footwear News
You can actually head on over to his website to purchase these babies, and also to check out his other creations made from Swarovski crystals.
Now, how’s this for a pair of über-luxe sneakers?
Too blingy for you? Then check out the other sneaks below, both for women, men, and unisex styles .
Images via Daniel Jacob
