Footwear
I spent a lot of time in my own world as a kid, letting my imagination/creativity lead the way. Colors sparked emotions, shapes inspired ideas and patterns would tell stories; fueling the creations I would whip up, from cartoon/movie characters, to sketches of the Titanic and my favorite shoes. My ability to create turned into an outlet that impacted my adolescence in a way that saved me; and in the seventh grade, enabled me to start selling shoe drawings to my peers for 25 cents. From there, my appetite grew into forming a global footwear customization business called GroundBreaker Customs at the age of 17; which has since evolved into a larger, multifaceted brand, called "723". As an homage to humble beginnings, 723 is the "GBC" acronym of GroundBreaker Customs, in numeric form.
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GBC Logo (2010)
723 logo (2024)
Through independent product creation, I've been blessed to either design for, endorsed by, and/or work alongside:
adidas
Nike
Wells Fargo
Marquette University Men's Basketball
MKBHD
ESPN
Microsoft
Reebok
Millenial Magazine
TOMS
Motorized Precision
And many more.
Utilizing my understanding of color theory as well as material, accessory and industrial design- I focus on innovation and attention to detail in producing custom work. . Customization represents one of the many outlets I utilize in efforts to express myself, tell a story and raise awareness for several meaningful causes, while giving clients something they can take pride in as they receive the only pair of its kind in the world.
"Project MBC"
Custom Nike Air Force 1 - (2024)
I made these custom Nike Air Force 1’s with metastatic breast cancer awareness in mind, and the colors/materials chosen reflect that very cause.
Colors
Cork
Pacific
Phontel
Vera
Heart
Canvas
To begin, I built a color palette inspired by METAvivor's teal, green and pink MBC ribbon, selecting 6 unique hex codes and naming the colors “Cork” tan, “Pacific” blue, “Phontel” green, “Vera” pink, “Heart” red and “Canvas” white.
These colors don’t quite fit into a solely analogous, complimentary, monochromatic or triadic color scheme; but I chose them because their psychology aligns with the journey of surviving cancer, and cancer doesn’t play by the rules.
Among others, “Cork” brings out a sense of durability, calmness and reassurance; “Pacific” the feelings of stress relief, clarity and stability; “Phontel” translates to renewal, energy and abundance; “Vera” resembles strength, healing and comfort; “Heart” evokes the thought of confidence, courage and attention; and “Canvas” carries with it the idea of simplicity, optimism and new beginnings.
Materials
The materials I chose are just as intentional and substantial as the colors. Starting from the bottom of the shoe, the “Canvas” white rubber midsole acts as a metaphorical canvas, to be painted on with inevitable dirt, mud and scuffing as these shoes are worn. Each midsole blemish will tell a story; a parallel to the events, challenges and changes that a survivor will come to face throughout their diagnosis. The midsole houses an upper that is comprised of a natural Portuguese oak bark/cotton bonded cork, polypropylene canvas, 1000 denier cordura nylon, Lambskin leather, heat transfer chrome and retroreflective thermoplastic polyurethane.
Bonded cork is noticeably the main material used for this pair, a contrast to the pink patent leather/carbon fiber vinyl combination from 2023's prototype; and appears across the majority of each shoe as a metaphor for beating breast cancer. Whether a survivor goes into remission, or lives every day of their life with terminal MBC to the fullest; survivors are champions, and that's synonymous with popping the cork of a champagne bottle.
The polypropylene canvas is a biodegradable material that, while still made from plastic, is recyclable, nontoxic and more sustainable than most plastics. It’s also stain, mold, mildew, water and UV-resistant (1000 hour tested); which led me to select it as a symbol for longevity and resilience.
Cordura nylon not only shares the same resistant properties as the polypropylene canvas, but it’s also abrasion resistant as well as sustainable; being made with 100% recycled, pre-consumer waste materials.
Carrying over from 2023’s prototype, I used retroreflective thermoplastic polyurethane again as a call to action. It serves as a reminder for men and women to ‘shine a light’ on themselves by routinely checking for breast cancer symptoms; a parallel to how retroreflective material illuminates once introduced to a light source. The perforations in the vamp and quarter panels are underlaid with a heat transferred chrome vinyl for that same reason, reminiscent of a mirror.
Metal accents such as the custom gold dubrae, 3 and 4mm gold eyelets and METAvivor’s MBC ribbon pin (which you can order here- and I will not receive a commission) were added to accent the cork and overall theme of being a champion.
My favorite element of this pair was also carried over from 2023’s prototype, with the red stitching at the base of the eyestay resembling the heart and pulse rate from an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor. The red shoelaces are a metaphor for continuous life and blood flow to and from the heart; traveling through each eyelet like veins throughout the body.
My goal with this pair and other related items, is to raise both awareness and funding for metastatic breast cancer research. My hope is that one day we can find a cure. With that in mind, each MBC item sold will see 50% of revenue donated to METAvivor for the funding of research grants.
METAvivor Research and Support is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support for women and men with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and funding research to transition MBC from a terminal illness to a controlled, chronic condition.
This pair of custom footwear is neither an official product of Nike or METAvivor, nor is it a collaboration between either entity; it is an art piece and concept project created independently by Demetrius C. Mensah.
Metastatic breast cancer ribbon logo used by permission of METAvivor Research and Support, Inc.
"Obsidian" Custom Nike Air Force 1 Low
Comfort and luxury are two areas I wanted to focus on in making this pair, which presented a small challenge; as those are not always the first things to come to mind when we see the color black. The good thing, however, is that I love a challenge; which is really what this pair is all about.
Leading things off, I quilted some black velvet and paired it with a perforated lambskin leather for the liner. With only one more layer on top, the extended tongue is designed to be thin, flexible, comfortable, durable and best of all- stay in place(!) with 5 tongue stabilizers.
Opting for a polished look and feel for the upper, I chose a waxed denim and patent leather combo that when contrasted with the darker, matte appearance of the suede- presents an eye pleasing balance of color & materials.
Suede etiquette 101 says to stay away from water- but should you find yourself around a spill, puddle or unexpected rainfall; you can rest easy knowing that the suede was pre-treated for water repellency, and the wax finish on the denim adds great water resistance. The patent leather speaks for itself in this category, but what some may not know is how the material resembles the pair's namesake; the glass-like obsidian rock.
Known in many regions to possess healing and grounding properties, the jet black volcanic rock is the perfect metaphor for getting back to accepting the black AF1 as the true streetwear/footwear staple that it is. Piggybacking off of that sentiment, I included mirrors in the vents for the cool kids- as a metaphor for looking at what they're actually perpetuating by trashing the black Air Force 1.
"Profiling is weird behavior. Don't be weird."
- Abraham Lincoln probably, 1864
Metastatic Breast Cancer Research- Nike Air Force 1 Prototype (2023)
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is in October, but men and women fight the disease everyday. I made this unisex Air Force 1 prototype to ultimately raise awareness and funding for metastatic breast cancer research- which ties into a larger brand/design ethos of creating art for various causes. With this prototype I adjusted the pattern, mixed thread weights and was intentional with color/material selection. Read on for a design breakdown.
Pink is the color widely associated with breast cancer, but it is also known to symbolize health and wellbeing. strength, calmness and rejuvenation; among many others. It made sense to have pink be the main color for this pair not only for that reason, but also because of the color's documented history of being associated with both masculinity and femininity. It seemed perfect for this unisex project.
Metastatic breast cancer may be considered terminal, but it doesn’t have to mean “defeat”. I used cork to symbolize the celebration of beating cancer (literally/figuratively), by making the most out of the days/years we’re given.
The unique stitching on the swoosh is to resemble heart rate/pulse waves on an ECG screen. The red symbolizes blood flow, and represents the life of anyone who has ever been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Carbon fiber is one of the strongest materials in existence. Using carbon fiber vinyl for the vamp/quarter panels allowed me to symbolize the strength of anyone who has ever fought MBC.
In line with the colors/meaning of the MBC ribbon from Metavivor, I included green and teal accents on the tongue and liner.
Just like the importance of street signs or the vest of a construction worker at night- the reflective underlays in the vamp/quarter panels represent symptoms coming to light after a routine check, it represents the attention needed outside of October, and the importance of finding a cure. 🎗️
"On My Way" - Wells Fargo
Blessed with the opportunity to work with Wells Fargo in spring 2017 for thier "On My Way" campaign, highlighting several creative, independent individuals who are crafting their own journeys. See the official ad from Pace Communications and Director's cut from EightFold Collective below, and click here to read the profile from Wells Fargo. This project was an honoree for a Branded Short Film Webby award in 2018.
Customs
Handmade with metastatic breast cancer awareness and $50,000 towards research grants in mind.
Handmade with waxed denim, velvet, patent leather, black suede and mirrors to restore value to the black AF1.
Handmade with metastatic breast cancer awareness and $50,000 towards research grants in mind.
Handmade with genuine viper, liquid gold and black suede.
A pair dedicated to Ahustin Crawford, to raise $50,000 for the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and meningitis research.
In collaboration with Nike x NBA x UnspokenPDX to commemorate the NBA's 2017 jersey contract with Nike.
A fan favorite.
The first shoe I ever made, inspired by the iconic logomania style and it's pioneer, Dapper Dan.
Primeknit upper/sock collar duo, with gold accents along the front bumpers/rear pull tab, a black boost midsole, and black eyelets; strategically positioned and firmly implanted to allow for multiple lacing styles in both the front and back.
Lacing options in the front and back, with a yellowed boost midsole and customized adidas branding.
The CS1 and R1 come together for the "Cousin" pack, including a black boost midsole on the R1, a carbon fiber tongue on the CS1, and gold eyelets.
Uncaged with gold eyelets, and a "pure white" treatment for the upper.
Yin & Yang color blocking through black eyelets, a black boost midsole, and innovated branding (inspired by the current adidas branding trends), on a white UltraBOOST 1.0 base.
Fusing the Stan Smith and Superstar silhouettes for adidas and Portland Design Week. Proceeds went to "Harper's Playground", an organization that creates playgrounds where people of all abilities connect, play & thrive.
Originally an all-white AF1 mid- a DELUXE brand, camouflage shirt covers the entire shoe. Completely deconstructed/reconstructed.
Completely deconstructed/reconstructed, and in line with a military themed run of customs (in progress); digital camouflage and carbon fiber vinyl collaborate in honor of the United States Department of The Navy, and Midshipmen and Administrators of the Marquette University Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Completely deconstructed/reconstructed, and in line with a military themed run of customs (in progress); digital camouflage and carbon fiber upholstery collaborate in honor of the United States Marine Corps.
Thesignature fingerprint pattern, and a gradient from a vibrant 'Volt' neon green into black collaborate on the outer side of each shoe, and with the goal in mind to add a personal/unique twist- I replicated my left and right thumb prints on the pump of the respective shoes.
The signature fingerprint pattern, gold eyelets, and detailed branding work together to mark the start of a new era.
Sketching, Ideation and Rendering
