Brick and Sole

My artwork is based on my little brother who passed away on March 23, 2025. I dedicated this artwork to my brother to remember him. On the side of the Nike air forces I have 2 pics of my brother as you can see right beside the Nike logo. I decided to have the artwork painted in blue because it was his favorite color. On the side of the shoe I also put his favorite bible verse. Which is 1 Corinthians 1:16 it says “Let all that you do be done in love”. This verse also relates with me because everything that I like to do is being done with love such as working or exploring. With all the finalizing touches, I made sure that this will be a memorable moment for me. It’s because I have never got to experience designing my own shoe based on my brother.

My shoe design is based on my favourite movie character, the Joker, and I feel like it was a good design on a shoe. It doesn’t have a deep meaning at first, but the Joker is a character who stands out and isn’t afraid to be different. I chose him because he’s bold, unpredictable, and a little chaotic, which made the design more creative and fun to make. It shows that sometimes art doesn’t need to be perfect it just needs to express something you connect with.

This design showcases a minimalist Designer inspired detail onto a pair of classic Air Force 1s. Through this, a clean and luxurious feel that is deep-rooted in streetwear culture is created. With this design, a sense of personal style with a mix of community pride can be reflected. The subtle yet very intentional design is a reminder that even the smallest detail can tell powerful stories.

This design draws inspiration from a French designer, a brand that has been influential to young people. Through my work with local youth, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the neighbourhood, its culture, its energy, its people, and its passion. All of that is reflected in this shoe. Denim, a timeless staple in fashion, represents durability and style. By blending denim with the essence of the designer, this design symbolizes timeless passion, something the community embodies every day.

The meaning behind my inspiration is based on the Rap Album Igor by Tyler The Creator. Music has always been a big love of mine and has always been a apart of life. The reason I chose this design is because its only one of the few albums that I really felt immersed in and that I've listened to countless times. It blends alternative hip hop, funk and electronic music and a representation of love, identity, and transformation. Ultimately the sneaker is designed to inspire individuality, self expression, and encouraging others embrace their own style.

The inspiration behind my shoes was simple. I wanted them to be a reflection of who I am and those who came before me and guided me to become the person I am today. They are a physical reminder of the community that raised me and my Mama and Abuela who shed blood and tears for me and my sibling to be in the position that we are to succeed. These flags are a symbol of pride for my heritage and for everything it means. In these shoes, I carry the with me the love and support of my family and serves as a constant reminder of why it is that I push forward. That every step forward I take is for them, to bring pride to my family.

This shoe design is inspired by the thing we see everyday. The tree, is something that shows us the cycle of life, and, it gives us life. The brown is inspired by the trunk and branches, the start of its life. The green is by the leaves, the medium of its life. The red is inspired by the apples, the final stage of it’s life. Trees give us so much in life, so why don’t we put them in the spotlight?

This custom Air Force 1 honours the resilience and growth of youth in our Game Changers program. Inspired by a rose growing from concrete, it features a concrete-textured sole and hand-embroidered roses, symbols of beauty, strength, and transformation. The sole reflects the challenges our youth face, while the roses represent what’s possible with care and support. Each stitch speaks to the dedication of our youth, staff, and peer leaders who help shape a space where potential can thrive. This shoe tells the story of youth who were always powerful, waiting for the right space to bloom.

The theme for my design was to pay homage to my last year in high school, and how certain experiences have provided me new tools and confidence for the next steps in my academic and personal life. I drew a bear to represent Bloor CI’s mascot, and to symbolise my recent graduation. Bloor has provided me immense support and opportunities during difficult moments, and continues to support me through my transition to postsecondary. I added a justice scale alongside "Bloor Law" to represent my time as a member of Bloor's Law Society, in addition to representing my future career choice of being a lawyer. I put a lotus flower beside "WEC" as lotuses are often associated with the feminist movement which is fitting with WEC being a Women's Empowerment Club. I used purple in relation to the club's design because purple is the official color for awareness around gender-based violence, which was the theme of our club this year with the workshops we hosted and coordinated in regards to the topic. My last year at Bloor brought me various memories, and I hope to carry those positive and enlightening moments as I move into a new chapter of my life.

I chose to design my Air Force 1s like the Joker because he’s one of the most iconic and unpredictable characters in pop culture. His chaotic energy, bold colors, and fearless attitude inspired me to create something that stands out and makes a statement. The mix of purple, green, and hints of red reflect his wild personality, and I wanted my shoes to carry that same boldness. Just like the Joker, these shoes break the rules and don’t follow the usual style. It’s not just about the look, it's about expressing individuality, confidence, and standing out in a crowd.

For my shoe design, I chose to paint KAWS. His work speaks to me because it’s bold, emotional, and different from anything you usually see in everyday life. I connect with the way his characters show feeling without needing words, especially how they look strong and vulnerable at the same time. That’s kind of how I feel sometimes—trying to look tough on the outside, but still figuring things out inside. Painting KAWS on my shoes made me feel powerful, like I was wearing a piece of art and carrying a message with me. It reminded me that I can take inspiration from the world, make it my own, and show people what I’m about—without saying a word.

Title: "Wild Stride"

Description: This sneaker was designed by Nahira M and an anonymous artist. A cheetah in mid-leap. Lush leaves. A soft pink backdrop like a painted sky. Wild Stride brings garden whimsy to life with a playful yet powerful design that captures nature in motion. With the theme of Whimsical Garden, soft garden hues and flowing leafy accents, this Air Force 1 celebrates movement that’s both fearless and beautiful. The sneaker design also draws inspiration from the culture of today, which welcomes vibrant, lively, and artistic imagery as part of unisex streetwear fashion.

Soft steps. Bold moves. Just do it.
 

To some people, cherries might seem simple—but to me, they represent balance. They’re sweet and a little bit sour, just like life. I wanted my shoes to reflect that feeling of growing up—when things can be fun and colorful, but also tough and complicated. The cherries also stand out because of their bright red color, and I wanted my shoes to pop and show confidence, even if I don’t always feel that way inside.

My name is Sarah Brown-Ludington, I am one of the young folks whom are working with TNG, I was presented the opportunity to design my own shoe with the creativity that flows throughout my mind, the design I had in my mind were never ending, until I got an idea to create something simple and with meaning. I wanted to design shoes that can correlate with any fly fit I’d like to throw on. The only reason I painted and created my idea for this shoe was also to open my mind and soul to new beginnings and new challenges that are lead by God himself. Within the design of my shoes, I decided to incorporate a quote called Psalms 45:6 “God is within her, she will not fail.” This quote has meaning to me. The meaning while I walk within these shoes gives me is motivation to keep pushing myself towards things I believe I cannot accomplish or achieve. It pushed me towards things I believe I am not capable of completing. Trusting god has opened my light and pathway towards my future. I’ve learned to put trust and faith into God and with him by my side, I will not fail.

I chose KAWS, Hello Kitty, and rhinestones to add to my shoe design because each of them means something special to my heart. I chose KAWS because I really enjoy artwork it is amazing, one of a kind, and has a mixture of emotions. Hello Kitty is one of my favorite childhood cartoon characters, and she adds that cute, playful feel to the shoes. I added some rhinestones to the shoes to make them glamorous and conspicuous. They provide a trendy and creative look to the shoes. My design is somewhat an expression of some things about me playful, and a bold person.

I chose the simplicity of black and white as I like the way it complements many other colours and designs. Black and white are part of my aesthetic. I love shoes, and these custom sneakers give me the option to express myself through different outfits. It’s a part of who I am. I don’t want to be mistaken for anyone else. I like being different. I don’t know anyone else with hearts on their shoes.