Sneakers
MJ started out customizing sneakers in 2017 without any intention on growing it to where it is today. The Jordan 1 Chicago is his favorite shoe and it inspired him to create some new and original colorways on a few pairs of his Jordan 1 highs. Finding a mental break while painting, it quickly became a passion and an artistic outlet. After doing a pair for a friend, he realized what a great gift he could give others, while serving as an escape from his busy career. It was also a great distraction while dealing with a terminal condition his mother was diagnosed with in 2016. Five pairs led to ten and ten led to twenty. 350 pairs later, MJ has amassed a very unique following within the custom sneaker community and has recently added custom MX boots in 2021. Sneakers started it all and have paved the way for his creative outlet to explore what we can do when art meets footwear.
The Journey
Customizing sneakers is nothing new. Tens of thousands of people customize shoes of all types. What makes MJ unique is the ability to make them look stock when they're done and also who they're for. The majority of custom kicks are for professional athletes. With MJ's athletic background, he grew up around sports and keeps in touch with a lot of his friends who played sports professionally. His love of NASCAR led him to do a few pairs for a few people in the sport which opened up some amazing relationships over the years. Doing multiple pairs for an iconic driver years ago, opened up more conversations with other NASCAR drivers in the years that followed. Building some strong friendships with a few of the drivers and crew has turned into more than a sneaker-related network for MJ and his family. He considers numerous people in the NASCAR garage, his family. Most of them are really into sneakers and also have at least one pair of MJKs.
There are numerous professional athletes and sneaker enthusiasts that own a pair of MJKs. Some of them were a gift from MJ and some of them reached out to do something special as a collaboration. All of them are one-off custom projects. One exception being multiple sizes of the same shoes, for his and hers or even the family pack. Attention to detail is what makes an MJK special, other than the energy that went into them and who they're for. Creating art on a shoe that is specific to the wearer, makes them worth the hours invested. MJ hand paints all of his custom kicks and makes sure the details are on-point and worthy of the person who gets to rock them.
MJK 2-Way
You may have seen multiple pictures and read it before... but did you see it?!? What is the "MJK 2-Way?"
MJ came up with a fun idea years ago to subtly create two different colorways on the same shoe. It is very subtle and the reason most people miss it unless it's pointed out to them. Double and triple-takes are very common. The idea is to have both right sides match each other. Both left sides of the shoes also match each other. But they are two different colorways. Similar colors pallets but obviously different when pointed out. It has become his trademark and signature style on most Jordan 1's. If you look on the MJK IG account, you'll see plenty of them if you know what you're looking for.
Industry Collaboration
If you represent an industry-related company/media outlet and want to inquire about collaboration, please use the contact form. We invite that and look forward to hearing from you.
CONTACT
Before submitting a CONTACT request, please keep in mind that MJK is not doing retail projects or offering customizing as a service. Inquiries for sales or service will not be responded to. Any other collaboration inquiries or messages are very welcome and appreciated. Thanks for reaching out and for the continued support!