Lebron X "Barcelona" | By CDKsneakers- SneakerFiles

Coming off from yesterdays post of the Air Max 1 EM “Fashion Killa”, CDK keeps on killing it with his artistic designs. The Lebron X “Barcelona” was inspired by the 2012-2013 FC Barcelona away kits. Thank god I am not the only one who still watches football (Hala Madrid! Stand Up!). Getting past my sudden outburst, CDK repainted practically most of the sneaker and swapped out the laces to create a flow that goes very nicely with the blue swoosh and mid-sole. The “sunset” fade color-ways have been very popular this spring and summer season but, by no surprise, CDK comes back quickly to hit the sneaker community with another dope custom.

CDK was able to provide some quick feedback regarding to the questions used in the previous article; on his Air Max 1 EM “Fashion Killa” custom.

Russ: What made you decide to make custom Air Max 1′s?
CDK: The 2012/13 FC Barcelona away kit was one of the more impressive kits in Barcelona history. Nike took the traditional bright colors of the away kit, and installed a nice fade from orange to yellow. I saw the LeBron X as an excellent base for a a gradient. The fact that the shoe was a high-top also helped.

Russ: What base was used to create the “Fashion Killa”?
CDK: On the LeBron X I used an airbrush for the upper of the sneaker and a paintbrush for the swooshes and midsole. I also swapped the laces on these.

Russ: The custom game is getting intense, what are you trying to accomplish?
CDK: My main goal in the custom game is to be different. I find inspiration from a lot of other customizers in the game, but I am always looking to define my own path. It does get difficult at times, however, because I always let the customer decide, and often they see a custom that someone else did and want it to be recreated. In times like that, I work with the customer to use their idea as the inspiration but make the custom our own.

I also don’t create size runs of customs, instead I customize sneakers per request.

Russ: How do you think customs will be toward comparing them to actual sneakers?
CDK: I think that custom sneakers have definitely changed the game of buying sneakers. I see it as a trend of consumerism today; people aren’t looking for the big retailers anymore, they are looking for the small business that they can get to know and will received personalized service.

As far as customs becoming bigger than sneakers, I don’t think that will ever happen. A lot of the time, the customization can be nothing without a strong base shoe. For instance, the Sunset custom would have easily been looked over if it was on a Nike Free as opposed to the Rosherun or the Foamposite that I did it on.

Also, the sneaker game is bigger today than it has ever been. I know that I’m not the only one that gets slightly upset when I see someone with the same sneakers on as me. People want their own look, and with sneakerheads, that starts at their feet. Not everyone has that “Nike Air” back tab or the Pigeon Dunk in their collection, but anyone can have a 1 of 1 custom.

Russ: What influences you to be a sneaker artist?
CDK: My inspiration to be a sneaker artist is building for the future. I’ve loved sneakers for as long as I can remember, and I really got into the sneaker game in 2011. In December of 2011, I wanted a Christmas present for my girlfriend, and I tried my hand at customs. I took the Air Jordan III Black Flip and made them a South Beach custom. Looking back, I don’t really like the design, but it is nice to see how far I have come. After those Flips, I started getting interest from friends and the friends of friends and now random strangers.

One of my important factors of customizing is not doing it for the money. Sure, the money comes with the customization, but I’m not charging $400-500 to do it. Although I may value my craft higher in the future, I don’t see the point in upcharging my work. I paint sneakers because it’s what I love to do and it keeps my artistic imagination stimulated and growing.

Aside from sneaker customization, I am also a full-time student, majoring in Graphic Design. My dream job is to design sneakers and/or cleats for Nike. I also work at a Nike store, part-time. On top of both of those, I also am interning at a design firm in Minneapolis, called Merge Creative Department. Coming in the next month or so, I will also be selling a clothing line.

Always looking forward to seeing work done by CDKsneakers; definitely checking out the soon-to-be clothing line. This should show to sleep on your own time and don’t stop working or, in the end, “it” just won’t work.

Many more customs are coming your way but first check out the photos and let us know what you think by commenting below.