Wearable Wanderlust: Custom Painted Travel & Cityscape Sneakers
I turn your travel memories into art you can wear. From iconic city skylines to vintage world maps, I hand-paint your adventures onto your favorite pair of kicks.
A tale of two cities. I hand-painted the skylines of London and Bombay on this pair of Nike Air Jordan 1 lows, with splashes of red and blue to add a vibrant, artistic touch.
POV: you discover an Indian artist who paints your travel stories on sneakers. This pair features a custom world map design, perfect for anyone with a case of wanderlust.
One brushstroke at a time. Here's a look at the process of painting a detailed city skyline and travel-themed icons onto a pair of black Nike Air Force 1s.
Slowly but surely, the design comes together. This shot shows the progress on the travel-themed black AF1s, with the city skyline and compass rose details taking shape.
A close-up of the travel icons I painted on the black AF1s. The design includes a car with luggage, a bicycle, palm trees, and a camera, capturing the spirit of adventure.
It's official, I'm the "custom painted shoes" girl. This pair, inspired by vintage travel postcards and stamps, is one of my favorite ways to tell a client's personal story.
About this collection
Let’s be real, your sneakers are the ultimate canvas for your travel stories. Whether you want the Bombay skyline or a detailed map of your favorite European city, I sketch and paint every element by hand using high-grade Angelus leather paints. You just need to ship me a fresh pair of white sneakers, and I handle the rest, sealing the art so it’s waterproof and ready for your next trip.
Customizing sneakers with travel themes isn't just about paint, it's about storytelling. When you commission a pair of travel-themed sneakers, we start with a blank canvas, usually a Nike Air Force 1 or a similar leather base. I work with you to map out the specific skyline, landmarks, or map coordinates that matter to you.
The process is meticulous. First, I remove the factory finish to ensure the paint actually bonds to the leather. Then, I sketch the layout, whether it's a bustling Mumbai street view or a delicate vintage map. I use Angelus leather paints, which are the industry standard for durability. After the painting is complete, I apply several coats of industrial-grade finisher to make the art waterproof and chip-proof.
This isn't a factory job. It is hand-painted art, so you need to account for a 2-3 week turnaround time for drying and curing. You ship the sneakers to my Mumbai studio, and I ship them back ready to wear. If you’re looking for something that stands out, or you have a specific travel memory you want to immortalize, shoot me a message. Let's see if we can get the bag and make your kicks the best part of your outfit.
Ridhii Makkar
I am Ridhii, a full-time artist based in Mumbai, and yes, I am the 'custom painted shoes' girl. I don't just paint on sneakers, I turn your wanderlust into art that you can actually wear. My goal is to make your shoes as unique as your travel stories.
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