Welcome back to another deep dive into the world of music, culture, and sports. In a recent episode of Sway’s Universe, host Khrissy B sat down with a true pioneer in the streetwear space: Katty Customs. If you’ve been following the intersection of hip-hop and fashion, you know Katty is the creative force behind some of the most iconic custom kicks in the game and the host of the hit show Fresh Pair on Uproxx.

This conversation wasn’t just about sneakers; it was a masterclass in entrepreneurship, the evolution of style, and the importance of Black women taking their rightful place at the forefront of the industry. From her humble beginnings in dental school to interviewing hip-hop legends like Jadakiss and Dave East, Katty Customs shares her journey of turning a passion for “freshening up” old shoes into a global brand.

From Dental School to Design: The Origin of Katty Customs

Every great brand has an origin story, and Katty’s is as unique as her designs. Long before she was a household name in the sneaker community, she was building a clothing brand called Katty LaNoir. Specializing in “tomboy chic” aesthetics, she gained a reputation for creating high-quality custom letterman jackets, cardigans, and streetwear staples. However, the pivot to footwear happened almost by accident.

While she was enrolled in dental school, Katty, a lifelong sneaker collector since the age of 14, found an old pair of Jordan 14s in her closet. The green and white sneakers (a nod to her Gardena High School colors) were still structurally sound, but the soles had turned that dreaded shade of yellow. Using whatever paint she could find, she decided to “freshen them up.”

“I painted them white, and I was like, ‘Hmm, I’m onto something,'” Katty recalls. After posting a photo of the revamped Jordans online, the response was immediate. People wanted to know if she was officially customizing shoes. Her response? “I guess I do now!”

Mentorship on Melrose: Learning from Mike Norris

While Katty is largely self-taught, she credits much of her early inspiration to her mentor, Mike Norris. Back in the day, when the sneaker community was much smaller, Norris owned a shop on the iconic Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. At that time, the perception of custom sneakers was vastly different than it is today.

Katty explains that in the early 2000s, many people viewed custom shoes as “fake” or “knock-offs.” However, Norris was an artist who challenged that narrative, hand-drawing intricate portraits, like Marilyn Monroe, directly onto sneakers. Working in his shop allowed Katty to see the intersection of celebrity culture and custom fashion first-hand. While she was selling her custom clothing in the shop, she was quietly absorbing the techniques that would later define Katty Customs.

The Technical Side: Trial, Error, and Chemical Burns

Transitioning from clothing to footwear came with a steep learning curve. Katty admits that her early days were filled with trial and error. One of the biggest hurdles for any customizer is ensuring the paint doesn’t crack or peel once the wearer actually steps out in the shoes.

To achieve a professional finish, Katty had to master the use of heavy-duty chemicals. She highlights two essential but dangerous tools of the trade:

• Acetone: Used to strip the factory finish off the leather so the paint can actually bond to the surface.
• Paint Thinner: Used to ensure the paint is applied in thin, even layers rather than thick coats that are prone to cracking.

She also shared a hilarious (though painful at the time) story about shipping a finished pair to a customer in Arizona. She had wrapped the freshly painted shoes in newspaper, only to find that the ink from the paper had transferred and stuck to the shoes during transit. “He was done,” she laughs, noting that these are the types of lessons you only learn through experience.

Fresh Pair: Bridging the Gap Between Kicks and Culture

Katty’s expertise eventually led her to the screen as the host of Fresh Pair on Uproxx. The show isn’t just about the shoes; it’s about the stories behind the people who wear them. Katty has sat down with some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including Dave East, Jadakiss, and Juvenile.

She admits that she often felt nervous before interviewing these legends, unsure of how they would react to the “custom shoe lady.” However, she quickly realized that most of these formidable rappers are “big teddy bears” who share a deep, nostalgic love for sneaker culture. These conversations allow fans to see a different side of their favorite artists, one rooted in fashion, memories, and the hustle.

Nostalgia Trip: ’90s Trends and the Era of Tomboy Chic

The conversation between Khrissy B and Katty eventually turned to the golden era of fashion: the 1990s and early 2000s. They discussed how trends have transitioned from rigid, era-defining looks to the more fluid styles we see today.

The Aaliyah Influence

Both women credited Aaliyah as the blueprint for “tomboy chic.” Aaliyah’s ability to pair oversized pants and hair wraps with a sense of effortless sexiness paved the way for women like Katty to thrive in a male-dominated streetwear industry. It was about being “one of the boys” while maintaining a distinct, feminine edge.

Iconic Brands of the Past

Katty and Khrissy reminisced about the brands that defined their youth:

• Avirex: The heavy leather jackets that are currently making a massive comeback in New York street style.
• FUBU & Fat Albert: The era of bold characters on denim and jerseys.
• Dada: The experimental footwear and matching athletic gear.
• Chuck Taylors: Katty’s signature shoe back in the day, which she notes used to cost a mere $25 compared to today’s triple-digit price tags.

The Air Force 1 Debate

No sneaker discussion is complete without mentioning the Air Force 1. While many “sneakerheads” argue over the merits of high-tops versus mids, Katty stays true to her roots, preferring the lows and mids for their versatility and classic silhouette.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Creators

Katty’s journey offers several actionable insights for anyone looking to break into the creative or fashion industries:

• Don’t wait for permission: Katty started by fixing her own shoes. You don’t need a degree or a corporate backing to start creating.
• Find a mentor: Working in Mike Norris’s shop gave Katty the proximity to greatness she needed to refine her vision.
• Master the fundamentals: Whether it’s prepping leather with acetone or learning how to layer paint, the “boring” technical details are what separate amateurs from professionals.
• Embrace your unique aesthetic: Katty’s signature is her use of bold, vibrant colors. Find what makes your work stand out and lean into it.
• Collaboration over competition: Both Khrissy and Katty emphasized the importance of Black women supporting each other in industries like LA, where competition can often feel overwhelming.

The Future of Katty Customs

Katty Customs is a testament to what happens when talent meets tenacity. By staying true to her “tomboy chic” roots and mastering the technical craft of shoe design, she has carved out a niche that bridges the gap between old-school hip-hop nostalgia and modern streetwear innovation.

As she continues to grow her brand and host Fresh Pair, Katty remains a vital voice in the culture. Whether she’s revamping a pair of Jordans or interviewing the next rap superstar, her focus remains the same: authenticity, color, and community.

Stay tuned to Sway’s Universe for more interviews with the trailblazers shaping our culture!