Queensborough Pride, 4 lyfe

Ah, Queens. I was born and raised there. I’ve eaten the BEST food there (all the best Chinese and Korean food is in Queens). It’s the most ethnically diverse borough. The U.S. Open takes place there. Queens is so big, it’s home to two international airports. And yet, this borough often gets overlooked in pop culture.  It’s better that way. The best kept secrets of Queens should only be discovered by word-of-mouth; rewards to those who made the trek out there in the first place. (Though, if you really need to know where I get the best Korean spa treatments, contact me.)

So when I received a request for Queens-themed shoes, inspired by the Brooklyn Toile wallpaper (designed in part by Mike D of the Beastie Boys), I was immediately intrigued. I went and bought a new blue ink set and got right to work.

Elements requested for the pattern were:

  • Silver Cup Studios sign
  • the 7 train (hollaaaa)
  • the Sunnyside gate
  • 46th St./Bliss St. sign post
  • RUN DMC + boombox
  • the Mets Logo
  • Queensboro bridge
  • the Unisphere <— of course
  • a Lunar New Year dragon for Flushing
  • Airplanes (since it’s airport central)
  • And lastly, to really personalize this pair for the recipient, I added her necklace with her family’s initials on the back – wreathed with roses and flying doves.

Many sketches and layout changes later, the Queens Toile Vans slip-ons were finished. I’m really, really in love with this pair. The client ordered these for his wife, and I hope she loves them too!

Check out more photos in the Gallery!

xx
Ange

P.S. Due to time constraints (I’m taking classes now) I can really only do select orders. I’m sorry! I wish I could do them all! 🙁
P.P.S. If you are on the waiting list and need an order by a certain date, please let me know.