With a trio of custom Seinfeld-inspired kicks on display in NYC at Lyons Wier Gallery until January 5th, Jacob Ferrato aka JBF Customs‘ work is certainly about more than just nothing. Known for reimagining Air Jordans with premium Python-based makeovers, it comes as no surprise that JBF is regarded as one of the top customizers in the game. While in the Big Apple, we caught up with Mr +Incomparable+ to discuss how his customization journey began, why he’s going to stop making Python Jordans, and what he has in-store for the new year.
Nice Kicks: How did you get started as a sneaker customizer? What was the first custom job you did?
JBF: I started just painting shoes in high school. The first pair had Pokemon on the side. This was junior year of high school and it was the first job I got paid to do. I got like $120. It was a Dunk High and had a gold Pokemon on the heel.
Nice Kicks: What inspires you to create?
JBF: Boredom, plain and simple. I can’t sit around all day.
Nice Kicks: How long does it take to complete a pair of kicks?
JBF: It takes anywhere from at least 10 hours. But if you want to get a little crazy and a bit more detailed, it can go up to like 30 hours.
Nice Kicks: What’s one shoe that you haven’t customized yet that you would love to reimagine?
JBF: I don’t know. I want to make my own shoes more so than customize somebody else’s.
Nice Kicks: Would you want your shoe to go the retail route?
JBF: Possibly, but not for long. I’d rather just keep everything special, just so I can make everything myself.
Nice Kicks: What was your favorite custom that you did this year? All-time?
JBF: Of this year, it’s probably the “Bape” Air Jordan 3. I like those a lot. Because the ice cream drip was just kind of weird and made it a little more interesting. Of all-time would probably be the “Jet Life” Blazers.
Nice Kicks: What’s the craziest custom request you’ve ever gotten?
JBF: It’s all the same. It’s just a this skin that skin on various panels. There’s not like a whole lot of wild stuff you could ask for.
Nice Kicks: So are you really going to stop making Python-based Air Jordans?
JBF: Yeah, I’m just gonna not do Python Jordans anymore for a while. I’m just bored so I’m stopping.
Nice Kicks: With 2015 marking the 30th anniversary of the Air Jordan 1, Jordan Brand looks to be releasing a “Snakeskin” Air Jordan 1 sometime in the new year. Any thoughts on this release? Do you feel like they bit your style?
JBF: I mean it’s whatever, it’s still not the same thing. Nike in general doesn’t use real leather at all anymore so you can never compare. It doesn’t really matter. The people that are buying from me know better.
Nice Kicks: I know that with reporting the news, it can get really competitive. In translating that to some sort of area of sneaker customization, are you actually a fan of anybody else’s work?
JBF: Yeah of course. El Cappy is a friend. Mache, Dank they’re all friends. I follow all of their work.
Nice Kicks: What’s your New Years resolution?
JBF: It’s to not do snakeskin Jordans as much.
Nice Kicks: What’s next for JBF? What can sneakerheads expect to see in 2015?
JBF: Hopefully just new things that you haven’t seen yet. More original projects as opposed to rehashing the skins on Jordans over and over.
To keep up with JBF’s work, you can check out his IG page. If you’re interested in inquiring about having a pair made, you can head over to his website to submit your request. Special thanks to Akeem Rollock and the good folks over at Vinnie Styles in Brooklyn.
JBF Customs
