Three Detroit high school girls are poised to make their mark in the sneaker design industry after excelling in the MARKT’D “Art on Sneaker” Invitational.
The competition, organized by PLC Detroit in collaboration with the Detroit Pistons, Stackwell, Reebok, and Microsoft, recently took place in Detroit, MI. The theme, ‘Music, Motion, and Design’ attracted a vibrant live audience comprising sneaker enthusiasts, industry experts, and friends and family.
The competition kicked off with 40 talented student participants, each tasked with transforming a blank canvas—a white Reebok sneaker—into a unique work of art within a tight timeframe of 45 minutes. These designs were then presented to a panel of judges for evaluation.
After careful deliberation, the competition was narrowed down to 10 finalists who were granted an exclusive opportunity to take part in a one-day Art and Color Design workshop hosted by PLC Detroit. This workshop proved particularly valuable, as color roles are highly sought-after in the product creation industry.
Dedicated to nurturing talent and providing educational opportunities in the sneaker design industry, PLC Detroit aims to empower aspiring designers, particularly in underrepresented communities, by offering
· Immersive programs
· Workshops
· Competitions
“The MARTK’D program at Pensole Lewis Detroit goes beyond the realm of sneakers,” explained Walcott, the Director of Partnerships at PLC and Founder of MARTK’D. He further clarified, “The program provides students with a pathway to comprehend that the sneaker industry encompasses more than just being a consumer. It offers students a platform to express themselves and provides access to education and awareness of the creative careers that revolve around the industry.”
Out of the 10 finalists, three exceptional artists were selected to have their Art on Sneakers designs mass-produced by Reebok and made available for sale at a local Detroit sneaker boutique. Ultimately, three winners and an honorable mention were chosen from the pool of talented participants.
Tamar Davis, the marketing representative of the Detroit Pistons, expressed his enthusiasm for the storytelling element present in the designs. The winners skillfully incorporated thought, creativity, and storytelling into their products, leaving a lasting impression on the judges.
Securing first place was Kristal Soto, whose shoe design ingeniously celebrated her Puerto Rican heritage. Soto mentioned the challenges she encountered during the design process but expressed her satisfaction with the outcome.
Mekhia Knighten, a former ballerina with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, claimed second place with a design influenced by the Atlantic Slave Trade. Additionally, she incorporated a captivating story about Misty Copeland, the trailblazing first Black Female Principal Dancer with the renowned American Ballet Theatre, who served as her inspiration in creating a unique pair of shoes.
Third place was awarded to Kiarra Washington, whose design skillfully combined colors and elements from her own life, including her profession.
An honorable mention went to Nehemiah Hurst, an ambitious 12th grader who went above and beyond by designing two pairs of shoes! Hurst attributed his designs to “a leap of faith” and effectively conveyed his upbringing in Detroit and its connection to the competition’s theme of music, motion, and design. Notably, Hurst has been awarded a full scholarship to Bowling Green State University.
Walcott commended Nehemiah as a promising artist and stressed the importance of recognizing the value in participants who did not emerge as winners in the competition. The intention is to highlight that even in the face of not winning, there is still a sense of victory.
The winning designs will be prominently showcased and made available for purchase at Two18, a popular shoe boutique owned by Roland (“Ro Spit”) Coit located in Detroit’s vibrant Eastern Market. Sneaker enthusiasts and fashion aficionados alike can look forward to experiencing these exceptional designs starting in March 2025.
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