Break the mold, one step at a time.

Do you ever wish your shoes were just a different colour? Shoelaces look a bit differently? Perhaps more decorated?

Searching the internet for hours, trying to find the perfect pair and thinking “Damn, how has no company thought of the shoes that I want?”

So you sigh, lace up the same shoes you’ve worn a hundred times and head out the door.

If only your vision were to come to life…

Well, it can.

That’s exactly what I did.

Define the objective and defy it

Inspired by the ‘Break the Mold’ written on the back of my shoes, I decided to stop treating them as something unchangeable and instead started treating them like a blank canvas.

Prepared and armed up with paints, brushes and far more confidence that artisitc talent, I was ready to alter my shoes.

The best part? There are no rules.

I wasn’t trying to recreate a trendy sneaker I’d seen online or make something that would appeal to everyone else. I just wanted a pair that felt like me. Sure, there were moments when I questioned whether I’d ruined a perfectly good pair of shoes. But creativity is messy, and that’s kind of the point. 

If you’re thinking about trying it yourself, absolutely one-hundred per cent for sure, go for it.

Here’s how I got started:

Step 1: Acquire the Shoes

Every masterpiece starts with a blank canvas.

Lucky for you, finding one is easy.

The IGNITE’s Shoe Boutique offers various sizes for you to find your perfect pair that’s both comfy and fashionable. All happening here right on campus! Just keep an eye out for the schedule with your shoe size and location, and acquire your perfect pair. The best part? They’re free!

And who knows? You might walk in looking for shoes and leave with your next creative project.

Step 2: Find your inspo (or create it)

Pinterest boards, album covers, TV shows, a randomized colour palette or the design that has been described in your search bar in a million different ways — the ideas are endless.

For me, I loved the white of the shoe, but my outfit required a bit more blue and a lot more design. 

And after scrolling on Pinterest for hours, I eventually closed the app and just started.

I knew I wanted to match the vibe of my outfit. That was my inspo.

Step 3: Break the Mold

I’ll be very honest: I may have been more nervous about making the first brushstroke than about a final worth 40% of my grade.

Maybe it was the fear of ‘wasting’ a perfectly good pair of shoes. But once the paint goes on, there’s no Ctrl + Z.

I hovered over the shoe for a good minute before finally committing. Soon, I was experimenting and layering as the process went on. 

Yes, there were mistakes — uneven lines, patchy paint, colours ending up where they were not supposed to. But somehow, noticing those mistakes became my favourite part. They gave the shoes a personality and reminded me that they were one of a kind.

It was nice to remember: these shoes are uniquely mine. 

Step 4: Show them off

Looking at the finished pair, I realized something: creativity is about having the confidence to try something different. That’s what ‘Break the Mold’ meant to me. And I’m glad I committed to it till the end.

So if you are ever looking for shoes that feel like you, ask yourself, “How can I create them?”

Find your pair

IGNITE’s Shoe Boutique is the perfect place to start. Whether you plan to keep the shoes as they are or turn them into your next creative project, every great design begins one step at a time. Shoes will not be restocked, and are given away on a first-come, first-served basis. See you there!

Find yours at:

North Campus at 11:30 am – 3 pm at KX203. For dates and sizes:

Date	Sizes (Men’s)	Sizes (Women’s)
July 13	4.5 and 8	6 and 9
July 14	5.5 and 8.5	7 and 10
July 15	6.5 and 9.5	8 and 11
July 27	7 and 10	8.5 and 11.5
July 28	11 and 12	12 and 13

Lakeshore Campus at 11:30 am – 3 pm at the IGNITE Student Centre, K Building

Date	Sizes (Men’s)	Sizes (Women’s)
July 20	All Sizes	All Sizes
July 21	All Sizes	All Sizes
July 22	All Sizes	All Sizes

So what are you waiting for? Find your pair and get creative!

Photo by H&CO on Unsplash

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