Sneakerphile x adidas Superstar 2 “Maple Camos”

• MODEL: ADIDAS SUPERSTAR 2
• DESIGNED BY: Sneakerphile
• MADE IN: UK
• MADE ON: --/06

The UK-based three stripes advocate and long time trainer collector known online as Sneakerphile has made a name for himself through more than just his extensive knowledge about Superstars, Superskates, and Pro Models; he’s also a talented airbrush artisan, crafting custom kicks for fellow sneaker fiends throughout the United Kingdom and abroad.

He’s a busy man, but we finally locked him down long enough to get the scoop on his trainer painting background and discuss one of his earlier customs from 2006.

Sneakerphile, in the flesh at last! We gotta know, how’d you get started sprayin’ sneakers in the first place?

To be honest, I started customising just to see if I could do it! The first pair I did was with paintbrushes and acrylics, then one day I thought I’d buy an airbrush and a compressor and just give it a whirl.

We’re glad you did… these Supes are gorgeous mate, how’d you come up with the design?

These were only my fourth commissioned pair (the second for the same person) and he had a certain design in mind, based on a leaf camo print from some LRG clothing. I was supposed to recreate this design, but I was also allowed a little artistic latitude. With this in mind, I decided that rather than having the leaves closely packed together and all the same size I would use varying sized leaves and space them out a bit more. This still gave the camo effect, but also looked a little more natural, as if the leaves had fallen randomly on the shoe. I also added a personal touch, which was to cut out the 3 stripes from one of the leaves on the side of the heel.

Very cool indeed, and your attention to detail is amazing. What about the colorway itself?

The shell, sole, and heel tab were fairway green, so the colour scheme was determined by that and the goal was to get the main base colour as close a match as possible. I think it turned out pretty well.

We agree, it did, and we’re dying to know, who was the lucky recipient of these fresh green supes?

These were created for fellow SSDB (Superstar Database) member and long time, online, adidas seller Tom (then known by all as MrShoeShotta, and now known for his BboyLaces venture). He was my main “sneakerpimp” back then, always letting me know when the latest shoes where coming out and saving a pair for me. He had seen the first couple of customs that I’d done, and based on those he’d commissioned his first pair from me. Shortly after, he asked if I could do another pair with the maple leaf camo design on them. I said I’d give it a go, and these are the result! They still reside with Tom as part of his expansive collection, along with a couple more customs I’ve done for him recently.

It’s obvious why Tom came back for more, your work is very clean. Can you share a bit about your technique with us?

I always start the same way, stripping the top coat and surface layers of paint from the shoe using acetone. Then I mask off all the rubber and any areas that aren’t to be painted. These first two steps are the most laborious and sometimes, I wish I could get someone else to do it.

[laughs]

For the painting, instead of paint brushes, I use an airbrush and compressor. I find that this gives a more even finish and allows you to easily build up layers of colour without it going on too thick. The leaves on these were done by cutting out individual stencils from masking tape and sticking them to the shoe after each shade of green was added, which takes quite a while to do. Finally, I add a few layers of clear topcoat to protect and seal the paint, making them waterproof and wearable. Some people customise using pens or basic paints and they end up being more for show. I make mine to be worn, not just to be looked at.

Incredibly professional, and very meticulous. Being one of your earlier pairs, is there anything you remember learning from their creation process?

This was the first time that I had used multiple colour layers and stencils to create a camo style effect and I was really pleased with the end result. Since then I’ve used the same technique to do a few different camo customs for several people. I find it a simple, yet effective design that lends itself to an almost infinite variety of colourways and styles.

Kudos to you Sneakerphile, we really appreciate the effort you put into making your custom kicks and the time you’ve donated to chill out with us and chop it up. Before we break off, can you tell us what you’ve got hidden in your compressor and on the tip of your airbrush for the near future?

Right now, for what feels like the first time in quite a while, I’m not actually working on any customs at all. I have a few ideas rattling around my head, but no commissions at the moment. It’s so much easier to do a pair for someone else than it is to come up with an idea for yourself. But don’t worry, you guys at eatmoreshoes will be the first to know when I next break out the airbrush.

Speaking of breaking out the airbrush, if anyone would like a custom pair of kicks designed by Sneakerphile feel free to find him on SSDB or shoot him a direct email to: deamo69@gmail.com

written by Dylan Cromwell

photography by errol