For Keia Kodama, Sneakers Aren't Just Shoes — They're Markers Of History
“Sneakers have always been about more than just style. They represent who we are, where we’ve been and where we’re going.”
If Keia Kodama‘s passions for sneakers and artistic expression were added into a Venn diagram, they wouldn’t be anywhere near mutually exclusive. In fact, you could say that she’s the living embodiment of their intersection. As a multidisciplinary artist, Kodama is dedicated to showing the world not only what that intersection can look like, but what it can mean.
For Kodama, you could say that her deep rooted, early love of sneakers is what really got the fire burning. Her first-ever customs were made back in junior high school where she would play around with different designs using her Vans and Converse. Continuing to build upon those initial foundations for self-expression, today, Kodama is busy whipping up creative concepts from transforming the Nike Air Max Plus into a delicate Mary Jane to creating projects rooted in cultural history like her “Hair Force 1.”
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Whether Kodama is working on customs or a brand activation, there’s always a red thread that ties each of her projects together: the bigger picture. As she says, “Each collaboration or design that steps outside the usual boundaries feels like a shift toward a more inclusive and expressive sneaker culture.”
In our latest instalment of Baes with Kicks, we spoke with Kodama on her relationship with sneaker customization, how Virgil Abloh broadened her creative perception, why her inner child keeps her motivated and more.
Name: Keia Kodama
Occupation: Multidisciplinary Artist
City: Sacramento, CA
What’s your relationship with sneakers? Do you have a favorite pair?
My relationship with sneakers runs deep—it’s always been about more than just kicks. Since I can remember, sneakers were my way of expressing myself, something practical but also a huge part of my personal style and the culture, especially for communities that were overlooked. They became a badge of creativity, resilience and pure pride. For me, sneakers aren’t just shoes—they’re markers of history. Sneakers tell stories, represent movements and carry the weight of identity, especially in Black and brown communities. Whether it’s through the lens of hip-hop, basketball or street culture, sneakers have always been about more than just style. They represent who we are, where we’ve been and where we’re going.
When it comes to a favorite pair, that’s tough—there are so many that hit differently for different reasons. But Jordans? That’s a whole different ball game. They represent greatness, pushing boundaries and always leveling up. The Jordan 4 Breds are iconic — straight up, they let everyone know you’re here to leave a mark.
What would you say came first, your love of sneakers or art?
Man, that’s a tough one because honestly, sneakers and art have always been intertwined for me, even if I didn’t realize it at first. Both loves came up at the same time, but they didn’t really collide until later in life. My granny used to tell this story about how, when I was like two or three, she got me these black Mary Jane shoes. But a few days later, we hit up Payless, and I straight up took those off and swapped ‘em for sneakers right there in the store. That was my first real move toward the sneaker life.
As for art, that’s always been there, too—drawing, building things and even making little videos on our old VHS camera. The creativity in both sneakers and art just lived together in me from the start, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized how they could fuel each other.
How did you first get into sneaker customization? What drew you in?
I’ve been into sneakers for as long as I can remember, but customizing? That started way back in junior high. I used to customize my Vans and Converse, just messing around with different designs, trying to make them stand out. I was all about taking something basic and turning it into something personal, something that really reflected my style. But, back then, I didn’t think of it as art—it was more like self-expression, you know?
It wasn’t until recently that I started looking at sneaker customization through an artistic lens. Virgil Abloh played a big role in that shift for me. Seeing how he merged streetwear with high art made me realize that what I was doing could be part of something bigger. His work showed me that sneakers could live in fine art spaces, that they could be part of a larger conversation about culture, identity, and design. That’s when it clicked for me—I could take my love for customizing kicks and push it further into the art world.
What is your favorite part of the custom process?
My favorite part of the custom process is definitely seeing my ideas come to life. You start with a concept, maybe it’s just a sketch or an idea in your head, and then you get to work—choosing the right materials, adding the details and really making it your own. Watching it all come together is such a rush. What really takes it to another level for me is when those custom kicks aren’t just something you wear—they become pieces that can sit in fine art or contemporary spaces. That’s where it gets rewarding, because it’s not just about style anymore; it’s about storytelling, culture and elevating the art form. There’s nothing like seeing people react to your work in that setting.
You have so many amazing projects, like the “Hair Force 1” – which has previously been featured on Hypebae. What inspired that piece?
The “Hair Force 1” is a piece that’s really close to my heart because, for Black women, our hair is more than just hair—it’s a journey, a bond and a shared experience that shapes us. From growing up in the kitchen with a hot comb to seeing the artistry in salons or even doing it ourselves, our hair reflects a cultural history and personal strength. I wanted to pay homage to the entire Black hair and beauty industry with these kicks, from the everyday kitchen beauticians to those making waves at places like Bronner Bros hair show. It’s just a celebration of that whole experience.
Your Nike TN Mary Janes are the perfect contrast of the model’s toughness with the softness of the Mary Jane. How did you land on the idea?
Honestly, that idea lived in my head rent-free for like a year and a half. I was deep into other projects and just couldn’t carve out the time to bring it to life. Once I finally got around to it, the hardest part was working up the nerve to actually cut into such an iconic silhouette like the TNs. It was tough, but I knew it had to reimagine the silhouette to give it a new perspective and this was the only way to really bring that dainty-meets-sporty chic vibe that I wanted. It was all about pushing boundaries while still respecting the sneaker’s heritage.
What keeps you motivated to keep creating? Is there advice you’d give to others looking for inspiration?
The inner child in me is what keeps me motivated. That kid who used to customize Vans and Converse back in the day, just for the fun of it, is still driving a lot of what I do now. I’m always chasing that feeling of creating something that feels fresh, authentic and unapologetically me.
My advice for anyone looking for inspiration is to stay curious and never lose that sense of play. If you can keep that spark alive by feeding your inner child, even when things get tough, the ideas will always come.
What projects are you currently working on?
The rest of this year I’m taking it easy. I’ve had a lot of personal things going on, so I’m using this time to recharge. I’ve been really blessed with opportunities and hit some major milestones, but there’s always that one big goal—the great white whale. For me, that’s working creatively with Jordan Brand. After the TN custom, I’d love to see it actually become an official release. But overall, I’m proud of everything I’ve been able to accomplish so far.
What are you most looking forward to seeing in sneaker industry this year?
I’m looking forward to seeing more artists taking up space in this industry. It brings me pure joy to witness such fresh perspectives and creativity that break traditional molds. Each collaboration or design that steps outside the usual boundaries feels like a shift toward a more inclusive and expressive sneaker culture, and that’s powerful.
This year, I hope we see more creatives telling authentic stories and making statements with every silhouette and stitch.
