Gabriel Horton is a 23-year old designer who has already completed 200 custom projects in his early career. Horton dropped us a line to let us know about a few of these customs that are available for sale. The custom sneakers pictured above are called the Jay-Z vs. Lil Wayne Air Force Ones.

The designer used the opposing shapes of the left shoe and right shoe to create a virtual rap battle between Jay-Z and Lil Wayne. The left shoe features a black/white portrait of Lil Wayne while the right shoe has an equally fantastic portrait of Jay-Z. The background colors are red and black to make the portraits pop off the shoes easily. I love the block-printed “Wayne” and the cursive “S. Carter” on the toe boxes as the ring cards for this epic battle.

Horton says that the Jay-Z vs. Lil Wayne Air Force Ones are available immediately in size 12 for $150 but other sizes are available upon request. The elaborate imagery and cool background colors on these custom AF1s took all of four hours, showing Horton’s ability to quickly spin shoes into sneaker art gold. You can reach the designer at [email protected] if you are interested in the Jay-Z vs. Lil Wayne Air Force Ones.

Some parents believe that video games are not good for kids, yet history tells us otherwise. Many of the pioneers of computing and the internet were great fans of gaming, and the contributions of the gaming industry towards the popularization of faster and more efficient hardware and software can hardly be denied. Nike pays a tribute to gaming with this Nike Blazer.

In this smart and efficient design we see all the hallmarks of the stylish perfection that has made Nike irreplaceable combined with references to Nintendo Wii. Many of the references are subtle, and the designers are well aware that the Nike Blazer is, above all, footwear, and the owner wants comfort and elegance, before he or she will consider the subtle hints at their favorite gaming platform.

As always Nike manages the difficult task of merging these concepts with mastery, and the result is smooth, strong and successful. If you want to pay a tribute to some of the most enjoyable games of  our time, this hardy item will be a perfect choice for you. But even without that, the clean design is enough to fully satisfy and exceed your expectations from a Nike.

Can human beings fly? We’re thought to believe that we can’t unless we are on board an airplane, but the designers of Puma L.I.F.T Racer seem determined to make us question the validity of this contention. Light and robust, we have the feeling that the owner can glide on the road as swiftly as a cheetah with the advantage provided by these supremely well-crafted sneakers. It’s probably not a coincidence that the fastest man on earth, Usain Bolt, is running for Puma.

This shoe is for the no-nonsense type of person who is light on words, but heavy on action. Those who prefer to enjoy an evening walk under the light of the setting Sun, and those who need to run to catch up with the friend in front will be equally satisfied with this masterful and superior design from Puma. Trust your eyes, and the trust the instincts of Puma. Do not miss your chance to enjoy the agility and speed of this great creation.   

The power of the Jumpman, shall we say more? The electrifying design of this shoe allows the wearer unprecedented confidence in his ability to continue on the path of the greats. The powerful sole reminds us of the power of determination, the navy-blue colorway symbolizes the spirit of victory in the seas of hardship, while the aerodynamic design  brings an already superior concept to a perfect culmination.

There are times when the power of a design is self-evident, when needless and effusive praise merely bemuddles the pure elegance of an artist’s creation. This Nike is without a doubt a work of art, and for those who treasure superior conception, and masterful execution, the choice is simple. Let your steps be firm, let your determination be unshakable. Show your commitment to success and victory in everything about you. In footwear, the sign of victory is Nike.

There are those who wear shoes, there are those who enjoy Nikes. Even those who don’t own a Nike know that it is not simply a shoe, but a lifestyle, and a philosophy. The Nike Air Max Black-Blue-Sapphire brings these principles to life with indisputable power: the comfortable, perfect design is more like a second skin for your feet than a shoe, and the harmonious, visually entrancing colors are so well arranged that we’re left to wonder what kind of designers the people at Nike employ to create such perfection. The blue-black design seems to tell us that though this Nike is made to travel on black earth, its users are of the type who take the blue sky to be the only limit on their paths. Of course,  every person has a different attitude to life, but if you’re one of those who believe in success and limitless perfection, AM 95 Black-Blue-Sapphire will suit you perfectly.

Watch out for another Nike craze, the Nike Air Pegasus 89 comes in two new colorways – Grey/White/Black/Blue and Grey/White/Black/Red. It features the original Pegasus structure, simple and comfortable fit for everyday wear. It will cost around $134, just keep updated for the official release date at Overkill.