Just when you thought Iron Fist couldn’t get any more innovative, it donates its signature white platform pumps to serve as blank canvases for a diverse group of artists. Last night, the San Diego-based clothing and accessories brand hosted a shoe show and auction at Lab Art Gallery in LA. Street artists, tattoo artists and graphic designers from around the world were recruited to design one-of-a-kind pairs for people to bid on. All of the proceeds will go to benefit Soles4Souls, a charity that recycles shoes for people in need.
While noshing on bruschetta and drinking PBR from a can, I had a chance to chat with some of the talent.
Toronto-based artist Bev Hogue chose to feature her favorite subject material – women and deer – on her hand-painted design. “I love deer,” she told JustFab.com. “They’re sweet and strong and feminine with their long legs and neck.”
Local artist Chuck Adame was inspired by the Forever 27 Club. According to the legend, this tragic group of influential musicians all died at the age of 27 under mysterious circumstances.
“I based my pair of shoes on a painting I did of Robert Johnson standing surrounded by other members of the club,” he said. “Johnson believed his fame and fortune were the result of a deal he made with the devil.”
First drawn with pencil and then hand-painted, each shoe features the faces of two musicians: Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain. Adame also chiseled the word ‘Forever’ in the wood base and painted a 2 and a 7 on each heel, so they form the number 27 when next to each other.
More than 40 artists contributed designs for the cause. These precious pairs will travel around the globe before settling in Berlin, Germany, at the Bread & Butter tradeshow in June. To learn more about Art & Sole or to sign up to be notified when the auction begins, visit www.ironfistclothing.com/artandsole.
