Brass Monki Puts Pop Culture On Kicks Resulting In The Coolest Custom Nikes.

above: Street artist Banksy's Rat recreated on pair of leather Nikes designed and sold online by Brass Monki

Brass Monki is a talented 22 year old artist named Daniel Reese who hails from Merseyside [near Liverpool] in the UK. In 2009 he began using software to place pop culture imagery and icons from video games, movies, art, comic books, logos and other popular brands upon footwear.



The response was so positive, he began to actually hand paint one-off pairs of leather Nikes and sell them online. His eye for composition and color makes his creations very desirable as wearable art. Below are his designs, several of which are available for purchase.

Lego:

Bob Marley:

Blink 182:

Kick Ass:

Resevoir Dogs:

Robocop:

Watchmen:

The Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo:

Mario:

Luigi:

Princess Peach:

Oscar The Grouch:

The Cookie Monster:

Minnie Mouse:

R2D2:

Batman:

Wolverine:

Green Lantern:

Iron Man:

Blanka:

Captain America:

Dr. Robotnik:

Sonic The Hedgehog:

Castle Crashers:

Pac Man:

Buzz Lightyear:

Woody:

Firefox:

Google:

Colour Doodles:

Doodle Splash:

Light Swirl:

Some of the above shoes are available for purchase right now in his online store.


See more of his shoe designs on flickr.

Converse All Stars Go Upscale. Beautiful Leather Handmade Chucks.

The All-American Converse classic, Chuck Taylors (aka "Chucks") have been given an Italian makeover in stunning handcrafted leather.



With only 64 pairs available in each color (milk or black), the supple leather and suede versions of the classic shoe are entirely handmade by Italian trained designer Ryusaku Hiruma. “I wanted to bring together the history of Florence and Converse’s legacy,” designer Ryusaku Hiruma of Sak says of the collaboration. Hand cut adornments, hand stitched leather, perforated star logo and all leather soles are some of the elegant touches.

Of course, at $600.00 a pair, chances are you won't be shooting hoops in them.

Black:



Milk (ivory leather and sand suede laces and toecap):


Available for purchase at Opening Ceremony.

Dr. Romanelli X Levi's California Beach Capsule Collection

As part of their special Spring/Summer 2010 collection, Dr. Romanelli has worked with Levi’s on a bunch of cool special edition jeans, and tees and one pair of kicks named the “California Beach” Pack. Unfortunately, the jeans and tees are just for the Taiwan market.



The jeans are Levi's 503 and incorporate reversed denim into them.






The shoes:


For the shoes, Dr. Romanelli (aka Dr.X) chose the Chukka model in homage to the Californian surfers and the skaters of the 80s. The kicks sport two-colored laces, vintage jeans, rivets and all.






The shoes are already sold out at Colette, but you can still find them here.
There are also several pairs of the denim kicks on ebay - but they are asking upwards of $400 a pair.

Thanks to Jon Dragonette and Dr.X for the photos.


Previously, Dr. Romanelli had teamed up with Levi's and as well as CLOT, Inc. for a collection leather and denim jackets.

CLOT