Drawing inspiration from the “What The” paradigm, Jim Buck of @madebybuck has brought to life a masterfully constructed custom version of the Air Jordan 1 sneaker, underlaid with a rich catalogue of his fantastic sneaker designs.
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Nike’s “What The”
Since their debut in 2007, Nike’s “What The” sneakers have made a distinctive splash in the sneaker world. The key idea behind these shoes is to combine various celebrated designs and colour schemes from past Nike releases into a single stunning pair. As you might expect, this experimental concept has captured the imagination of custom sneaker creators, prompting them to introduce their own distinctive designs inspired by the “What The” theme.
While it’s pretty standard to see artists blend different celebrated Nike colourways to craft their distinctive “What The” designs, it’s quite rare to stumble upon stunning pieces that integrate the artists’ own original designs and colourways. Needless to say, when we do chance upon these exceptional gems, we are thrilled to introduce them to the world of sneaker enthusiasts.
Jim Buck’s What The Buck Sneaker
This remarkable custom creation has the Union x Nike Air Jordan 1 High collaboration from 2018 as its base, as indicated by the zig-zag stitching on the collar. It’s also been aptly christened as the “What The Buck” Air Jordan 1 High, paying homage to its creator and his ingenious artistry.
As can be imagined, these custom sneakers boast a beautifully chaotic, mismatched style to recreate the “What The” aesthetic. Drawing elements from all designs in Buck’s 2023 collection, an eclectic blend of different leathers, denim, and other materials have been creatively utilised. Thus each shoe – left and right – showcases a unique blend of colours and textures. So, let’s dissect a few key materials from each shoe to highlight their individuality.
Starting with the left shoe, the design boasts vintage brown leather and short-haired brown suede on the mudguard and heel. This combination mirrors the aesthetic of the artist’s stunning “Vintage Bomber” sneaker. Alongside these features, the shoe incorporates exquisite tumbled white leather, a nod to the “Frozen Creek” design. There is also a homage to a fan favourite from 2023 – the “Retro Green” Air Jordan 1 High, on which the design featured on the collar has been fashioned.
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The left shoe concludes on a high note, with a crisp white midsole and a gum rubber outsole. Completing this unique look is a white label on the tongue, embellished with a vibrant “Go Birds” phrase embroidered in green.
The right shoe then showcases exquisite burgundy leather, borrowed from the “OG Black Wine” Jordan 1 design. This smooth leather is beautifully contrasted with the dark denim from the “Red Tears” Dunk Low style. Along with these, the eye is drawn to the unique “Japanese Denim” fabric adorning the collar, intricately embroidered with cherry blossoms as a nod to Japanese culture.
To put the finishing touches on this shoe, a pristine white midsole paired with a rich maroon outsole culminates in a stunning visual play. Unlike the previous shoe, however, the branding label on the tongue is graced with Made By Bucks distinctive MB logo, hand-stitched in deep brown thread on a blush-pink leather backdrop.
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Where To Purchase This Custom
Those eager to own a pair of the striking “What The Buck” custom Air Jordan 1 High sneakers can contact the creative Jim Buck at @madebybuck to find out more about this custom design. For an alternative route, feel free to browse his website, where you can feast your eyes on (and purchase) the astounding range of custom designs that have come together to craft these incredible sneakers.
Prices for custom sneakers kick off from as low as $200.00 USD. However, bear in mind that this figure can quickly escalate depending on intricate design elements and premium materials involved. Nonetheless, you’re always welcome to discuss your budget with the creator and any unique design concepts you’ve envisioned for a custom one-of-one creation. In the meantime, keep an eye on our feed for more unique sneaker concepts and standout custom designs like the exceptional “What The Buck” Air Jordan 1 High.
