Some college kids build their own beer pong tables, others build their own kicks. Take Jake Ferrato for example. The current full-time student has spent the last three years building his JBF Customs brand that?s taken off in part to premium shoe reconstructions and a budding snapback following. In this week?s Custom Corner, Jake tells us where he gets his inspiration, the importance he places on client feedback, and his advice to those looking to get in the game.
What got you into sneakers?
Jake Ferrato: I have no idea really…I can’t remember ever NOT liking sneakers to be honest.
How did you get started making customs?
Jake Ferrato: I started back during the summer between my junior and senior years of high school, so like 2008. I saw some guys painting over on NikeTalk and ISS and all those forums, and I had to try it. I’ve always loved shoes, but I’ve also always been pretty picky about ?em too, so making them exactly how I wanted to made sense. I can’t paint to save to save my life though, so when I saw guys starting to reconstruct shoes, I figured I had to give that a try too.
Which creation is your personal favorite?
Jake Ferrato: Hmmmm…who knows?? I tend to hate my old work, as I go back and see everything I could have done better it just makes me mad. So whatever is my latest shoe or hat out when you are reading this is probably my favorite.
Who have you done work for?
Jake Ferrato: I’ve done work for plenty of people. My clients are all the sh*t, so they mean more than celebs in my mind.?But I have done work for some famous people too. Curren$y has a pair of my shoes and LeBron James has a hat of mine.
Are your designs meant to be wearable or used as a display piece?
Jake Ferrato: As long as you pay for it I really don’t care what you wanna do with it (laughs)!?In all seriousness though, everything is made with the intentions of it being worn.?I do know that my work often ends up as more of a collector?s piece sometimes though. Respect if you own any of my stuff and wear it!
What?s your general design process?
Jake Ferrato: I do all my design work mentally, then buy the materials, and then make the shoe (or hat).?I’m pretty bad with Photoshop, so I rarely ever use it.
How much time does a project typically take?
Jake Ferrato: Totally depends. Hats can be done in a few hours, but shoes are a bigger undertaking. Those usually take about 3-4 days start to finish if I’m working pretty hard.
Where do you find inspiration?
Jake Ferrato: People mostly.?I think my inspiration is the fact that I’ll make something for somebody, and they’ll email when they got it saying it’s one of their prized possessions. That’s awesome, and I definitely try and make all my work that good and valuable to whoever is paying for it.
