Transcription
- Swoozie: This season
on "Lace Up: The Ultimate
Sneaker Challenge"...
- They sold it to me,
and I bought it.
- Talk more about
the "balls deep".
- - ( chuckles )
- I almost died just then.
- - Tell me more.
- The things y'all showed me
that can be done in five days?
- What I seen here today is
a whole new love for sneakers.
- ( music playing )
- Y'all amazing.
- Please don't talk to me
like that.
- - I can't hear you.
- Ten.
- There's a big-ass clock
right there.
- You late.
That's unacceptable.
- Desmond: I am having trouble
trusting my teammates.
- If you can't take this,
you ain't cut out to be
in this industry.
- Man: I'm not losing this week.
( bleep ) no.
- Vince: Winning this competition
would just be unbelievable
- because it would prove
to my kids that you can
achieve your dreams.
- I don't know.
- You gotta stop
drawing pictures.
- Solve problems.
- ♪ Hit it, hit it ♪
- Swoozie: Sneakers aren't just shoes,
- they've gone from the court
to the street
- to the feet
of hip-hop's best.
- Now they're a cultural
phenomenon.
- Sneakers are just like the
sexiest girl you've ever seen.
- Bought and resold
by rabid sneakerheads
- and part of a celebrity
fashion culture,
- sneakers represent
an industry
- worth over
$55 billion worldwide.
- This is my baby right here.
- Enter D'Wayne Edwards.
- The former design director
at Air Jordan
- has created kicks
for Carmelo Anthony,
- Derek Jeter,
and even Michael Jordan.
- My shoes have graced
every NBA floor,
- every baseball field,
six different Olympics.
- Swoozie: Now D'Wayne mentors
the next generation
- of great sneaker designers
at Pensole,
- the world's top footwear
design academy.
- He's bringing together
12 aspiring shoe designers
- from all over the globe
to compete for the opportunity
of a lifetime...
- ♪ Take everything,
leave 'em with nothing ♪
- ...to create shoes
for adidas.
- Each week,
four teams of three
- will compete to come up
with one of a kind kicks
- inspired by
a celebrity guest.
- Swoozie: Mr. Fetty Wap,
Macklemore,
- Anthony Anderson,
Damian Lillard.
- Swoozie: The teams
have only five days
- to design
and build their shoes
- before showing them off
to a panel of judges.
- - I'm digging it.
- I'm really impressed.
- - I'd rock 'em both.
- You mastered it.
- They made a low-cut
water Ugg.
- You guys started strong.
You didn't finish very strong.
- Swoozie: No eliminations,
but no one is safe.
- - Oh, that's a bad idea.
- Don't start melting down.
- - ( bleep )
- We'd have to say no.
- Swoozie: After eight weeks,
the team with the best
- body of work
wins the competition.
- And the freshest kicks
of the competition
belong to...
- Swoozie: The winning shoe
is being designed
- for James Harden and adidas,
- and will be sold online.
- My name is Swoozie,
- YouTube creator
and sneakerhead.
- I'll be your guide
on this crazy ride.
- ♪ All I want to do
is see my dreams come true ♪
- ♪ I believe it,
I receive it ♪
- ♪ I proceed to get it
cracking ♪
- This is the ultimate prize,
the ultimate opportunity.
- - You have to be relentless.
- You gotta be great.
- ♪ Reaching for the stars,
we don't stop until we get it ♪
- ♪ I believe, I believe, Mr.
Kelly, I can fly ♪
- Swoozie: This is...
- ♪ L-E-A ♪
- ♪ D-E-R ♪
- ♪ Whoo-ee ♪
- ♪ Leader, leader ♪
- ♪ We are the baby's ♪
- ♪ Some people say
their leaders are falling ♪
- ♪ Follow my lead ♪
- ♪ Ahh, let's go ♪
- - Welcome, guys.
- Thank you.
- This is Pensole
footwear design academy.
- This is gonna be your workplace
for the next eight weeks.
- At the end of the eight weeks,
the team that has put together
the best body of work
- will walk away with jobs
at adidas.
- Okay, so this is it.
- Rebecca: I'm 20 years old, so I'm like
the youngest person here.
- I am feeling, like,
definitely anxious.
- This is my dream, and you don't
get this chance again,
- so it's just a lot
on the line.
- Anybody who is not ready
to bust their butt for
the next two months,
- now's your chance to bail.
Anybody?
- Ever since I was in high school
I wanted to come to Pensole.
- I am exactly where
I want to be, I mean,
- I have to win this.
- All right, let's go.
- - Time to get to work.
- Awesome.
- - Wow.
- Oh, my God.
- Swoozie:This is D'Wayne's wall of fame.
- Some of you might remember
the Jordan 21s and the 22s,
- the Carmelo Anthonys,
- Sneakers on the shelf?
Amazing!
- My dream is within
my fingertips.
- Billions of dollars
right here.
- Follow me over here
to M Lab.
- Color material designers.
- We've got everything you will
ever need at your disposal.
- These leathers
are from Holland.
- We've got pods
for each team.
- Have any of you guys messed
with the tablets before?
- Trust me,
them things are bomb.
- Some of you guys might have
noticed we have the eye
in the sky.
- That is D'Wayne's office.
- - ( whistles )
- Up on the second floor,
this is the sample room,
- where the shoes
are constructed.
- Here, you'll have
all the materials
and support you'll need
- to make the best sneakers
in the business.
- Gabe: Everything I know so far
has been self-taught.
- All I've had at my disposal
was markers, pens, and paper.
- Almost overwhelming to see,
like, so many awesome tools
- that I don't know how to use,
so it's, like...
- Pensole Academy to a shoe
designer is like walking into
Willy Wonka's candy factory.
- There's no place on earth
like it.
- And I'm just happy
to be here for the ride.
- About eight months ago,
I was struck by a drunk driver
head on.
- And so I was in my bed
for two months,
- and it all kinda came
to a halt.
- Now I'm here with this.
This is easily the greatest
opportunity
- I've ever had in my life,
and I'm ready to go.
- Let's get this party started.
Have a seat.
- How are y'all doing?
What's up, baby?
- D'Wayne Edward is basically
known as the godfather
for sneaker designers.
- Let me share a little bit
about how, you know,
- ultimately all of us
kinda ended up here.
- My journey starts with this
little thing right here.
- Um, that's why
it's called Pensole.
- I started just falling in love
with just drawing sneakers.
- For me though, it was kinda
a bit of my escape
- because I grew up
in the city of Inglewood,
- which is not the safest place
in the world.
- I remember going to
my guidance counselor.
- I figured out what I wanted to
do with the rest of my life,
- and she ultimately told me,
you know, black kids
from Inglewood
- don't become
footwear designers.
- It became motivation,
the motivation that I needed
to keep pushing.
- I was blessed with an
opportunity to get a job
- at a footwear company
called LA Gear as a file clerk.
- Every day, I would put sketches
in a suggestion box
- hoping someone would see it.
- And luckily, a man by the name
of Robert Greenberg
actually saw it,
- and he offered me a job
at the age of 19.
- And that moment
changed the entire course
of my history.
- I was the second person
of color in this industry.
- For me, it was like
the door opened
- and I kicked
the damn door down.
- That's the situation
you guys are in now.
- Like, the door is open
for you guys.
- It's up to you to completely
destroy it.
- Asian way is, like,
you must become a lawyer
- or a dentist
to make my family proud.
- I'm not like that.
You can become anything.
- Be strong
and follow the passion.
- - Y'all up for the challenge?
- Yeah.
- - All right.
- Okay, so how it's gonna work
- is each week you guys
are going to be designing
a custom shoe for a celebrity.
- Ooh.
- After five days,
you will be presenting it
for a panel.
- It's extremely hard
to design a shoe in five days.
- I mean, five days
is close to insanity.
- You guys are gonna have some
wild challenges over
the next eight weeks.
- But you've gotta start
with the basics.
- Your challenge for this week
is to take the classic
adidas Superstar...
- Classic.
- ...and elevate it up
even higher
- than what it currently is
right now.
- Take the color,
the material,
- and take it up
a few more notches.
- It is probably
one of the most legendary
- pieces of footwear
ever created.
- It was actually originally
a basketball sneaker.
- And it evolved from athletics
- to hip-hop
to streetwear culture.
- That's the timeless nature
of it.
- It cannot lose its integrity.
- It cannot lose
its classic aesthetic.
- All right.
And you guys are ready
to meet this week's star, right?
- - Yeah!
- Bring him out.
Bring him out.
- Okay,
he's an Emmy-nominated actor.
- He is a huge sneakerhead.
- Please welcome
Anthony Anderson.
- ( cheers and applause )
- Excited to be a part of this,
excited to see what
these young men
- and women are about
to do for us.
- I really was not expecting
Anthony Anderson to pop up.
- I personally have never
designed a shoe for someone
of this caliber.
- ( cheering )
- Anthony, how many shoes
are you rocking in the closet?
- I think we're up to about
275, 300 pair.
- - Wow.
- Nice.
- I mean, you know,
growing up in the hood
- that's what
it was always about.
- You know, who had
the freshest kicks first.
- Okay, so what can you
tell them as far as
your style?
- What are you looking for
this week?
- I want a shoe
that's classic, classy,
- and stylish, that I can wear
out in the street
- and that I can still
wear with my tuxedo
in the White House,
- which I've been known to do.
- I don't like to wear socks,
- so something that's gonna keep
my foot dry and funk free.
- - Swoozie: Funk free.
- Where are you from?
- Anthony: Born and raised in Compton.
- You know, I was always a--
you know--
- I was a fat kid.
- I was in denial
for the longest time.
- I never thought I was fat
until I lost weight.
- What's a few songs
I can put on my playlist
that you're listening to?
- Anything by Biggie,
and anything by 'Pac.
- Who are some
of your favorite artists?
- - Keith Haring, Basquiat.- Okay.
- Thank you for your time,
my man,
- and we'll see you here in
Portland for the presentation.
- Thanks. See you guys
in a couple of days.
Good luck to you.
- Thank you!
- Michael: Anthony Anderson,
- I didn't even know
he was, like,
- an avid sneaker collector
like that.
- You know,
I'm just ready to see,
- you know, what would could
cook up for him.
- How cool was that, guys?
- - Dope.
- The shoe has taken on
a life of its own,
- and it evolved.
- B-boys have been rocking
the Superstar since the '80s.
- Made popular
by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
in the '70s,
- the B-boys found the shell toes
and rubber soles
- to be perfectly constructed
for their style of high-impact
dancing.
- So, not only are you going
to have to design a shoe
this week,
- but someone needs
to wear it, right?
- So we're going to give you
dance choreographer
Hok Konishi...
- and a dancer for each team
to dance in your sneaker.
- Megan: Growing up, I did ballet,
jazz, hip-hop,
- and, don't judge me,
but I do pole-dancing.
- Because I'm a white girl
that can dance.
- You ready?
You've been divided up
into four teams of three.
- Huddle up as a team
and let's get to work.
- ( music playing )
- When we started Pensole,
- we wanted to look at education
in a completely different way.
- I wanted to make it
career-focused,
- so Pensole's cirriculum
is based on the three main jobs
- you could get when you get
into the footwear industry.
- Brand design, they are the one
that sets the tone
- for the marketing direction
and develop the story
- for what they're about
to create.
- Footwear designers,
they start to execute imagery,
- and then obviously
design the physical shoe.
- The color and materials
designer
- would research colors
and inspiration
- because it doesn't have
a personality
- until it becomes a color.
- So our focus is to teach
the importance of working
together as a team.
- - That's for the tablet.
- Okay.
- Maybe somehow
we can incorporate
white within the shoe.
- Day one, my expectation
is for them to brainstorm
- what they feel
a good theme would be.
- And by the end of the day,
- pitch me ideas that they feel
represents that theme the best.
- Hip-hops.
Showcasing the relationship
- of his favorite artists,
Tupac and Biggie.
- I'm very passionate
about hip-hop.
- I've listened to Tupac and
Biggie since I was a kid.
- I know a lot
of their history.
- It's pop culture.
It's in your face.
- He's a Leo,
which are lions.
- They both like leather.
- I don't know if-- if--
I'll make a note of that.
- It was just kind of words
coming at me,
- and none of them actually
going inside my brain.
- Is that too cheesy
to add a diamond?
- I'm doing this competition
to provide a better life
for my daughter.
- I work as a grill cook
at a college.
- I do not want to be a cook
all my life.
- I'm an artist.
I love when people
love my style,
- my own creativity,
my ideas.
- What do you think
we should do?
- - Uh-huh? Hmm.
- So maybe like a menu?
- Anthony Anderson mentioned
to an interviewer
- that he would like a specific
death row meal.
- We took that approach
versus the usual, you know,
- "He's funny, he's a comedian.
Let's try to play up that."
- The first competition
out the gate is dependent
on colors and materials.
- Don't tell them
that it's classic.
Don't say classic.
- I'm struggling with trying
not to be too overbearing.
- I'm Analise,
- and I work at Sephora
as a color artist.
- Working in the sneaker industry
is the reason
- I moved to Portland
four years ago,
- so it's now or never.
- I am new
to colors and materials.
- I think my natural ability
- is going to help propel me
to the front of the class.
- Our design
is sort of based on
- Basquiat, Keith Haring,
and Picasso.
- I would describe my personality
a little overbearing,
- I think,
to some people.
- But I am a good leader.
- He was just a graffiti artist.
He was not a real artist, right?
- Okay, so something
a little "Black-ish."
- Oh, it's a sitcom,
but it's not really gonna
say something, right?
- My name is Megan,
and I'm from Toronto,
Ontario, Canada.
- I tend to be a little bit
of a snobby sneakerhead.
- I designed a shoe
and I showed it to
an NBA athlete.
- He liked my shoe so much
that he hired me.
- I really would love to be
a brand designer,
- but I haven't really felt
like I have a good enough
education to do it.
- I don't know if it makes sense
or if I'm just a mad scientist
right now,
- but sometimes I get
my languages messed up
and start writing in French.
- Laurance: Megan does not make sense.
- But, what are we doing?
- It just--
it's a lot of shit.
- Zaneta: Playing off of the original
concept of roller skates
- - to bring boldness
to a classic design.
- Yeah.
- Andre: Skateland is our theme
of our shoe.
- We kinda looked at
Anthony Anderson's past.
- He's from Compton,
California,
- and we found this skate rink
that was popular
- in the '80s and '90s
called Skateland.
- We know that he was there
on some weekends when he was
a teenager doing his thing.
- What if it was, like, matte,
but then it has, like,
- some type of, like,
reflective material.
- Mm-hmm, exactly.
- Zaneta: My team is vibing very well.
- We would just look at each other
and be, like, yes.
- - ( laughter )
- Yeah, we are the best.
- ( laughing )
- ( bell dinging )
- Get ready to pitch.
- Whether it's pitching
to an executive,
- pitching to an athlete,
give it to me exactly
what I need
- as quick as possible,
and make it impactful.
- We're The Nu Black.
- We kinda wanted to use
elements of roller-skating.
- Inspired by Anthony Anderson's
hometown of Compton
- and one of the biggest
attractions there,
which is Skateland.
- All right, Skateland.
- Our concept
is presidential brunch.
- A breakfast- and dessert-derived
Superstar for the fat boy
in all of us.
- A comfy shoe
led by comfort food.
- - I'm good with that one.
- So our theme is The Hype.
- We have the hip-hops.
Tupac and Biggie were friends,
- so we wanted to showcase that
through pattern and color.
- Tupac is from Compton,
Biggie from New York,
- so we thought about catering to,
like, two different cities.
- You gotta know
your history, man.
- - Tupac was born in New York.
- Oh.
- In here,
we have to be exact.
- We are Trifecta.
- Megan:
Our concept is the masterpiece.
- Something that's
a lot more abstract.
- Pulling from a few
of his favorite artists,
- both Keith Haring
and Basquiat.
- It's statement-making,
both in color and materials,
- but also
in political messaging.
- We think we can really
do that with some really cool
exploration
- into materials and colors
and different techniques.
- So I think that one
could be interesting,
- but I just couldn't see it.
- So you got
more research to do.
- Our concept doesn't make sense
to me, so yeah.
- Not even gonna lie.
We have some things
that we need to work on.
- All right, we're gonna stop
'cause you guys gotta check in
to your hotel.
- I will see you guys
tomorrow morning.
If you're late, you do push-ups.
- ( hip-hop music playing )
- Yes, finally.
- You know, I watch
a lot of reality TV,
- so I'm expecting
some mansion or something
- Second door to the left.
- This kinda looks a little bit
like sardines.
- - Oh, wow.
- Everyone's about to get
real comfy.
- What on earth?
( chuckles )
- Walk in and you see bunks,
and I'm like, what?
- Oh, my God.
There's no closet.
- - So females is gonna be on
the left, males on the right.
- If they're genderless,
- - why are we gendering them?
- Yeah, dude, also females
go pee way more often.
- - Yeah.
- I'm just gonna say that.
- I really don't want to go in
a bathroom after a female.
- - I think we should just
keep it gender.
- Why?
- I just think it--
can we vote?
- You know females like to have
they makeup and perfume
- and all of that weird stuff.
I don't care to see that
too much.
- How about female, male,
and then the free bathroom?
- - Free bathroom in the middle?
That kinda makes sense.
- Yeah.
- I'm 32 years old.
I never did the whole
college dorm thing.
- My name's Vince Lebon
from Melbourne,
Australia.
- I've launched my own brand
called Rollie,
- but I just want to be
at the next level.
- - ( yelling )
- For my kids to be able to say
my dad did what he loved
- and he's always been happy.
That's why I'm here.
- - Good night.
- Night-night.
- ♪ Let's go back to basics ♪
- ♪ Let's be glad we made it ♪
- ♪ Let's crack the hatred ♪
- ♪ Just be glad we made it ♪
- ♪ We're gonna go back
to basics ♪
- ♪ Just be glad we made it ♪
- ♪ Let's crack the hatred ♪
- ♪ You lack the patience ♪
- Sheepskin leather,
and then this is the--
- the microfiber sc--
suede for breathability
on the stripes.
- Day two, you start to see
more direction around
- what the color choices are,
the material choices are.
- - Breathability, innovation,
comfort.
- Story.
- Today, we should have a better
idea of where they are
- because by the end of day three,
they have to turn over
- their designs
to their shoemaker.
- Okay, where are you guys at?
- So we basically captured
the relationship of Tupac
versus Biggie.
- Tupac is gonna be
on the outside.
- Yeah, because he was
the more flamboyant, like,
more outspoken one.
- Biggie's gonna be
on the inside,
- and then on the other shoe,
we're bringing in how
they were, like--
- The bond, the friendship.
Both of their legacies
were almost the same.
- And they both were iconic
and legendary.
- Don't like it.
- I think you just have
to play up the fact
that they were separate
- because their lasting memory
of each other is not good.
- While Desmond has
a fantastic imagination,
- there's a disconnect
on being able to piece
a story together.
- So it's hard for me to know
how to design the shoe.
- ( music playing )
- Look at this.
This doesn't even make sense.
- Brand managers, your main job
is to tell the story
- of your shoe and present
it to the world.
- We mentioned before
that you have to create a dance
for your sneaker,
- so, it's time to meet
your dancer.
- You're going to be heading over
to Groove Nation.
- You're each gonna get
an hour to come up with
your dance routine.
- - Let's roll out.
- See y'all later.
- Swoozie: Over the years,
B-boys have sported
the Puma suede
- the adidas Gazelle
and of course,
the Superstar.
- Five, six, seven, eight.
We go one...
- Swoozie: As you're about to see,
they need durability,
and protection,
- 'cause they gotta slide,
glide, and spin
- all over the dance floor.
- - Where was I at?
- ♪ We're dangerous ♪
- - How's it going?
- What's up, guys?
- Hey, what up, what up?
- Guys, meet Hok Konishi
- and the legendary
Portland Trailbreakers.
- - What's up, guys?
- ( all talking at once )
- My name is Hok.
I've worked with LMFAO, Usher,
Chris Brown, Snoop Dogg.
- My specialty is mixing
different styles together
- and packaging it
in a way that's the best
for that certain situation.
- We're gonna give each
of you brand managers,
- one of the Portland
Trailbreakers to work with.
- Come up with your 30-second
dance routine.
- Your dance has
to represent your sneaker.
- - Cool?
- All: Cool.
- The name of our shoe is
Fat Boy Brunch.
- It's inspired
by Anthony Anderson's
inner fat boy
- and his last meal
if he was on death row.
- - ( laughter )
- Hok: Michael with
the Fat Boy Brunch
- came in with a crazy,
outside-the-box kind
of concept, I feel.
- I love food,
but to kind of merge
that with dance,
- I've never done it.
- - Ah. Whoa, I like that.
I like that.
- Nice.
- I mean, I think we can go
a bit experimental
with our shoe.
- It's really based on
Anthony's style,
- his overall personality,
which is loud and brash.
- His favorite artist is, like,
Keith Haring and Basquiat.
- So if we can relate that
in a dance, I think
it would make sense.
- - Right, right, right.
- We're the only team
- that is taking
a real emotional approach
within our shoe,
- and I think it can be
a big risk
- because it is something
that's a lot more abstract.
- It's an art gallery.
It's an opening.
- Really kind of multi-faceted.
- - You're starting to get
frustrated.
- I don't really relate...
- - Relate to the concept as much,
and I understand that.
- Yeah, our concept was so...
- All over the place.
- Laurance: Me and Gabe,
we let Megan take the lead,
- and as far as, like,
how our design flow is going,
- if you can't connect materials
and colors to a story,
- the shoe design
is just gonna be shit.
- The roller skating one,
like that,
- everything had a purpose.
It was clean, you know.
- Laurance: Nu Black as a team,
they're pretty sound.
They're pretty solid.
- - This is a satin,
color lining here.
- I like it.
- I am trying to get a job.
I do want to make dope shit,
- so hopefully we can
pull it together.
- Our shoe is called The Glide.
A skate kind of vibe,
- so everything that says
"roller skater" to me
is just smooth,
- fluid motions of the skaters
in the rink.
- Storytelling for this project
is of the utmost importance.
- As a brand designer,
that's pretty much my job.
- How we want to portray
the sneaker
- and how we're gonna
bring it to life.
- That's the ender right there.
I like that.
- I want to capture, like,
that hip-hop,
- New York-ish, LA-ish feel.
- Start-- no, stop, stop.
Stop.
- Soon as the beat start,
you walking.
- You had a split second,
then to go here.
- Bam, walk.
You had enough time.
- My job is brand manager,
- so telling the story of
this shoe is my responsibility.
- And make sure you make
eye contact.
- If I don't get it right,
it will not make sense.
- ( hip-hop music playing )
- I think it'd be too much
if it was another color.
- - Okay.
- Okay.
- - Okay.
- Need to fix...
- That's better. Okay.
Now the render fits.
So much better.
- Rebecca: Knowing the history
of Tupac and Biggie,
- we changed the design
to really bring in
their personalities
- through two different shoes.
- ( music playing )
- D'Wayne:
Get your notepads, come around.
Last check-in for the day.
- The point of doing
the pitches twice
- is so if they do have to pivot
and change direction,
- the pivot is coming
as soon as possible.
- - Blueprint.
- Let's get to the foot.
- So, on the top side
of the tongue,
- we are going into
the lobster cutaway.
- - The Nu Black.
- How to revamp a classic?
- How do we push the envelope?
Shoelaces.
- We decided to use, like,
a TPU construction cage
- that will actually wrap over
on the top of the shoe.
- - Trifecta.
- Our real inspiration point
actually came from Anthony.
- We wanted to make a masterpiece
based on him.
- So our color palette
take cues from expressionalistic
art pieces,
- so that red, yellow,
and blue.
- Oops, I'm sorry.
- I tell you guys, it still
doesn't seem like you're
on the same page visually.
- You're wasting time
at this point.
- Laurance: I literally just shut down.
- I need to be strong
and sure
- in when I'm presenting
to somebody.
- I am not just gonna
sit up there and pull something
out of my ass.
- Lack of communication is gonna
destroy the whole thing.
- - I'm sorry, y'all.
I'm sorry.
- Come here, it's okay.
- The Hype.
- Material on the outside,
it doesn't have the inlay
on the inside.
- When you step into the shoe,
you feel the authenticity
of it.
- Desmond: Rebecca and Catalina
changed our shoe design.
- I thought it was bullshit,
and it comes across as hatin'.
- It's good.
Looks good.
- Desmond: I do feel like the rug
has been removed.
- Much better.
How much of this was
accomplished without Desmond?
- - All.
- All of it?
- ( exasperated sigh )
I'm just ( bleep ) flat-out
flustered right now.
- - No, I get what you're saying.
- Yeah.
- Laurance: Time is not on our side, so,
like, we really need
- to get something together
because we cannot be this bad.
- The best story
is a comeback.
- ♪ Hey, I got nothing
to lose ♪
- ♪ I got nothing to lose,
leave 'em with nothing ♪
- ♪ Leave 'em with nothing ♪
- ♪ Leave 'em with nothing ♪
- ♪ Take everything,
leave 'em with nothing ♪
- Day three,
the students have to turn over
- the necessary designs
to their shoemaker.
- Design choices, color choices,
material choices,
- graphic choices
needs to be done.
- I don't think we should do
a graphic.
- Well, yeah, what is the purpose
of a graphic?
- Does it still tie back
to this?
- My name is Suzette Henri.
I am the color material director
for Pensole.
- Okay, so everything
and the kitchen sink
isn't always the best idea.
- - Okay.
- Suzette: Footwear designer
can have the best sketch,
- but if you haven't applied
color and materials to it,
- it's like being
in a relationship
and not having sex.
- I don't know why
you would do that.
- You could actually come in
- and kind of do--
so it's like that,
- something in the back.
That way it's subtle.
- Laurance: I love Suzette.
- She's reassured me
that I am knowledgeable.
- I can do this.
Just take a deep breath
and be myself pretty much.
- This is a leather substrate.
This is a textile substrate.
- - What's a substrate?
- Whatever the base
of the material is,
- - that's a substrate.
- Mm-hmm.
- D'Wayne: At the end of day three,
the students pass off
- their designs
to their pattern maker.
- That pattern maker
is responsible for taking
their vision
- and translating that into
a physical prototype.
- That looks dope.
I like it a lot.
- The shoe that I am designing,
it locks in place
with TPU covering.
- It's basically
a slip-on shoe,
- but you still have
that lock-down security
that laces will provide.
- We pushed the envelope,
so I feel excited
and confident.
- ( hip-hop music playing )
- ♪ I came from nothing,
I was hungry ♪
- ♪ I was struggling,
I was hustling ♪
- ♪ I did it by myself ♪
- ♪ I'm climbing
these heights well ♪
- Rebecca: Designing shoes
for Anthony Anderson,
- it still doesn't feel real.
- I need to remember
my speech.
- I need to tweak
other people's speeches.
- I just want it to be good.
- ( hip-hop music playing )
- ♪ Hands up,
throw it down ♪
- ♪ I'm a soldier ♪
- ♪ They can never
take me down ♪
- I feel like we have
the qualities to win
this competition.
- Our story is very strong.
- I feel like we're really
gonna connect with him.
- We just gotta, like,
come correct with the drive
and the execution.
- ♪ Hands up,
throw it down ♪
- ♪ I'm a soldier ♪
- ♪ They can never
take me down ♪
- To think about
what we created in a few days,
it's ridiculous.
- If Anthony doesn't like
the shoe,
- it's gonna be devastating.
- ♪ I won't stop ♪
- ♪ At no cost,
take no prisoners ♪
- ( hip-hop music playing )
- I think the stakes
for this presentation
are really high.
- What if a teammate freezes?
- What if our shoe
falls apart?
- Shit might happen,
but you have to keep it moving
- Because you want to start off
that first week with a win.
- Welcome to your first
presentation.
- Let me introduce you
to the judges real quick.
- You guys all know D'Wayne.
- Tash Salter,
the adidas senior team lead
for colors and material,
- and you guys kinda know
this dude.
- He's Emmy-nominated.
He's a huge sneakerhead.
- Welcome, Anthony Anderson.
- - ( cheers and applause )
- All right.
- So each team had to reinvent
the adidas Superstar
- using new colors, new material,
from top to bottom.
- Superstar has roots in
basketball, hip-hop,
and B-boy dancing.
- And Anthony,
because you have a love
for hip-hop and dancing,
- we've tasked the teams
to come up with a dance routine
- to represent
each of their shoes.
- You ready to see what these guys
have created for you?
- That's why I got on the plane
and came to Portland, baby.
- I want to see what they got.
- Blueprint, you're up first.
- Analise: I'm really nervous right now
to present
- because working in the sneaker
industry is the reason
I moved to Portland.
- I'm not going home.
I missing my nieces
and nephews growing up.
- It's all gotta be worth it.
- What's going on, everybody?
We're team Blueprint.
- Our concept,
Fat Boy Brunch.
- Oh, wait a minute,
wait a minute.
- - I lost the weight.
- ( laughter )
- We were inspired
by an interview you did
- where you mentioned
your death row meal.
- - Oh, okay.
- We wanted to create
a comfortable shoe
- inspired by comfort food.
Something breathable,
something stylish.
- Analise: Let's talk
about today's special.
- Going into the upper,
we've used a knit.
- We know you don't like
wearing socks,
- - so it's anti-stinky feet.
- ( chuckles )
- Analise: We go into the sole,
a tinted rubber
- for the red Kool-Aid.
- And please...
- ( chuckles )
- This is your invitation
to Fat Boy Brunch.
- All right.
Can we change the name
to Husky Boy Brunch?
- ( laughter )
- This is the lobster up top,
and then gave it a top view.
- I thought that was
pretty ingenious.
- I like the color scheme.
- Great job keeping the laces
inside of the outer portion
of the shoe.
- That way you have
that clean line.
- The color palette that you guys
have come up with
is really strong
- in terms of what's actually out
on the market right now.
- It's very relevant.
There is something
a little bit missing.
- It could have kind of pushed it
a little bit further.
- Blueprint,
you can take your seats.
- Trifecta, you're up next.
- Laurance: I am feeling anxious about
going into this presentation.
- There's a lot at stake.
Changing my major and leaving
law school,
- I'm willing to work
and do anything possible
to make my dreams a reality.
- We are Trifecta.
We want to give
you something
- that is so amazing
that you'd want to put it
on display.
- So we are inspired
to make a masterpiece
- that is all about you
and your life as an artist.
- In the back of the heel,
we wanted to expose
that stitching
- to really create that contrast
between one side
and the other.
- to represent your transition
into who you are today
- and where you came from
as a young artist.
- Our color palette was inspired
by Basquiat.
- When you look at his paintings,
primary colors.
- We thought that these
primary colors represented
qualities that we saw in you
- as a comedian, a writer,
a philanthropist.
- Something like a masterpiece.
- Three stripes we painted on
by hand
- to represent that raw talent
that just ties back to
a classic, uh,
- classic element in--
- a classic element in, uh,
like, um,
- like an, uh, an ode to you--
your fashion forward sense.
- - I don't know.
- I get what you mean.
- You get what I mean,
you get what I mean.
- We really see this as a shoe
that kind of takes you forward
- and really represents
who you are as an artist,
- and we hope you enjoy
our masterpiece.
- ( applause )
- Judges, thoughts?
- You threw me for a loop
when this was the first side
of the shoe that I saw.
- Oh, okay, I'm with that.
I'm with that.
- So, what we're doing, uh,
- is wait a minute.
They're, uh, two different
shoes.
- I'd rock 'em both.
I just can't rock 'em both
at the same time.
- But it's definitely
a one-of-a-kind
and an original.
- Trifecta,
you may have your seat.
- Megan: I'm worried that we blew it.
- You know, in the real world,
if you can't make that great
first impression,
- you're not gonna get rehired.
And there goes some work.
- Next up,
we have Nu Black.
- My end goal is to win
with my team,
- all of us get a job
at adidas.
- I think we're just gonna
kill it on the presentation.
- - We're the Nu Black.
- You didn't want to call
your team black-ish?
- - You just want
to call it black?
- ( laughter )
- Hey, we're trying,
we're trying.
- Here we are,
Compton, California.
- The year, 1984.
- - We imagine a teenage
Anthony Anderson.
- ( laughter )
- Friday night,
Jheri curl dripping.
- Where else would you be headed
other than the legendary
Compton Skateland?
- You did your history, dawg,
'cause that's exactly
what I did.
- ( laughter )
- So drawing inspiration
from the bold, the vivid lights
of the venue,
- we kinda wanted to reinvent
this classic shoe
- to a modern classic
that you could truly wear
- from the suburbs to the streets,
everywhere in between.
- As you can see,
we wanted to take it straight
through to the modern day.
- So we used
a engineered mélange knit
throughout the whole upper.
- If you remember the uniforms
that they used to wear,
- they used to have
these satin white jackets,
- So we added satin to this mix
for the lining.
- On the lateral side,
three stripes,
- and on the middle side,
there's three different
colored stripes,
- which is reminiscent
of the glossy floors
from the skater rink.
- We also know that you don't
wear socks,
- so to make it
even more breathable,
- we perforated the toe cap.
- I mean,
you will still be sockless,
- but, ha,
you'll still be funky fresh
without your--
- - so no worries there,
all right?
- ( laughter )
- So how can we revamp this
a little bit more
- while keeping
the classic look?
- We have a TPU case,
seamless from the side,
but wraps over.
- One piece versus having
two laces,
- making it a slip-on
versus your traditional lace-up.
- - You feel like skating
with us today?
- All right.
- - ( applause )
- Nice job.
- Anthony, what do you got?
- Y'all did your homework.
I really like the presentation.
- The shoe and all the little
touches that you have,
pretty cool.
- I think you went
for it with trying to change
the lacing system on the shoe.
- I dig it.
- The most polarizing part
of this shoe is this here.
- - Yeah.
- But I commend you
for trying it
- because I haven't
seen it before.
- You guys may take
your seat.
- ( applause )
- Last, but not least,
The Hype.
- ( applause )
- Desmond: Coming to Pensole,
being far away from my daughter
- was a tough decision,
so losing is not an option.
- And I knew that it was
gonna be hard,
- but I feel like we will
get it together.
- Let's take a trip
back into time, 1995.
- A young Anthony Anderson
is on his way
- to the Mixtape Comedy Club
to perform stand up comedy.
- - Ha!
- On his Walkman,
- he's bumping Biggie,
"One More Chance,"
- Tupac, "Keep Your Head Up"
for inspiration.
- Two of your most influential
hip-hop artists
- were vivid storytellers.
- Therefore, we chose to make
two individual sneakers
- representing each artist.
- Looking at Tupac's lyrics,
they're raw.
- And we really wanted
to communicate this
through the leather choice.
- So we stripped away
the complexity of it
and went with the burn lines.
- Our next artist is Biggie.
- We really wanted to show
his loud personality.
- We puffed up the insides.
We puffed up the tongue of it.
- We used fat laces to show
his thick voice.
- Desmond:
So, we now present you
with the Superstars.
- We have Tupac's,
- and then Biggie's.
- That was a really bold risk
that you guys took
- of trying to create
a left and a right shoe.
- - Mm-hmm.
- That's pretty rare
- - 'cause usually it's
one or the other.
- Right.
- Swoozie: Tash,
what are your thoughts?
- It's a really good execution,
but I feel like the studs,
- at the moment,
is just a little bit too much.
- All of this, the concrete,
the rows that coming from it,
- you know, the decadence.
Nice work.
- - Swoozie: Awesome, Hype.
- ( applause )
- Are we ready to see
these shoes in action?
- The teams were tasked
to come up with a dance
to represent their shoe.
- With that in mind,
please welcome to the stage
- Hok Konishi
and the Portland Trailbreakers.
- ( applause )
- For the Nu Black,
we have Ben.
- ( hip-hop music playing )
- Zaneta: Seeing my shoe up there,
it was kinda anxious 'cause
- we just didn't want it to break
while he's dancing in it.
- ( applause )
- For The Blueprint,
it's Outhay.
- ( hip-hop music playing )
- - Hey.
- ( laughter )
- Think of dance,
it kinda went with, you know,
- food, like, in the kitchen,
slide across the floor.
- You're cooking brunch.
It was hilarious.
- ( applause )
- Swoozie:
Repping Trifecta, Dobbin.
- ( hip-hop music playing )
- Megan: I felt confident
that the dancer would showcase
the shoe through the dance
- because it's simple,
but it's still complex,
much like our shoe.
- ♪ You gotta know what I think,
know what I mean ♪
- - ( applause )
- Swoozie: And for The Hype,
it's Oscar.
- ( hip-hop music playing )
- Desmond:We came up with a dance routine
- to match the Tupac
and Biggie story.
- It goes from smoove to,
like, super-duper hype.
- ( hip-hop music playing )
- Okay, Rico Suave.
- - Yeah.
- All right.
- ( hip-hop music playing )
- ( applause )
- Teams, now it is time
for the judges to deliberate.
- Gonna have to ask you
to leave the room
- while the judges
make their decision.
- Andre: People judging your work
is nerve-racking
- just because, obviously,
the stakes are so high.
- Everyone put so much effort
into what they do,
- but it's all subjective.
That's what design is.
- Anthony, let's talk
about The Blueprint
- and their Fat Boy, AKA,
Chubby Boy Brunch.
- - Husky!
- Oh, Husky Boy.
Sorry about that.
- Chubby is just
as bad as fat. Husky.
- - Big-boned Brunch.
- Yeah, Big-boned Brunch.
- I like the lacing system
on this,
- how we just keeping it clean
on the outside.
- Whole lobster take
in the toe.
- I like that.
I would get that.
- I think there were just some
construction things
- that they could have worked on
a little bit more.
- I really think they had
the strongest color blocking
of the whole group,
- but creating a color block
off of food isn't a new idea.
- Swoozie: How do you feel
about Trifecta's shoe,
the Masterpiece?
- There's two very different shoes
on the table.
- If they'd have just kind of
gone one way or the other way,
- then it would have
resonated more.
- There's so much going on
right there.
- - You can't be committed
to one thing.
- Right.
- - That's not gonna move units.
- Right.
- Moving on to the Nu Black
and The Glide.
- I loved their presentation.
They sold it to me,
and I bought it.
- - Mm-hmm.
- This could be a piece of shit,
- but the way they sold
that piece of shit to me,
- I bought it.
- Goes back down to detail.
- You know, it's like,
why is there satin on here?
- It's like, because those
are the jackets they wore
at Skateland.
- We spoke about just having
maybe one too many things.
- - Yeah.
- Like, you could have
just had nothing else
- - but just this detail.
- Yeah.
- Swoozie: Last
but not least, The Hype
with the Superstars.
- I think they captured
the duality of both worlds.
- Tash: Good shoes that could exist
separately.
- You only see one shoe on a wall,
and if somebody brings out
a different shoe,
- and it doesn't look like
the one that was on the wall,
people won't buy it.
- What did you guys think
about the dancers
- and how they each
represented their shoe?
- I really didn't connect the two
until the lobster and shoe.
- Baking-- oh,
you in the kitchen cooking.
- Tash: Saw that one, the--
that one and...
- - Yeah, I caught that one.
I caught that one.
- ...the stirring.
- I was like, "Oh!
Oh, it's the connective tissue
- between this dance
and this shoe.
I got it.
- Excellent. Okay, so you guys
have had time to look over
each shoe.
- - You guys have a decision?
- Anthony: You got one?
- - I think so, too.
- All right.
- Let's bring 'em back out.
- ( hip-hop music playing )
- Analise: I felt very good
after that presentation.
- It was just a good
follow-through
- on a really fun concept,
so I want this so bad.
- I do not want to be
the worst team right off the bat
week one.
- I'm very competitive
because I like winning.
- To be honest,
I hate losing.
- I always come
prepared to win.
- Swoozie:
Teams, welcome back.
- The judges have decided on a
winner of this week's challenge.
- Will teams
Blueprint and The Nu Black
please step forward?
- Oh, they be standing
right next to one another.
- Hmm, how serendipitous.
- Swoozie:
D'Wayne, take it away.
- Blueprint, what we really liked
was just how thorough
the presentation was.
- You probably had
the strongest color block.
- The thing that we kind
of were questioning is
- using food as a color point
of inspiration
- is not the most original idea.
- For The Nu Black,
I think you had Anthony
with the Jheri curl juice.
- - Did you use Sta-Sof-Fro?
- I used World of Curls.
- - D'Wayne: Oh, yes.
- ( laughter )
- What we talked about was just
the level of detail almost on
every part of the shoe.
- At the same time,
you might have went
a little too far.
- Both teams have solid themes,
solid all the way through.
- But ultimately, only one
can actually win this week.
- Swoozie:
Inside this box is the winner
of this week's challenge.
- - Anthony?
- All right.
- And the precious kicks
this week belong to...
- - Bam!
- ( cheering )
- Swoozie:
Congratulations, Nu Black.
- You win with the satin-lined
Skateland-inspired shoe,
The Glide.
- Anthony Anderson literally
just chose our sneaker
of four groups.
- I felt like a little kid.
That was like the best feeling.
- The first challenge,
to get that over with,
you know.
- We take what we're given,
and we elevate it.
That's what we do.
- Congratulations
to all of you.
- I wish you much luck
and success with this.
- - The dream team.
It's the dream team.
- ( laughter )
- Congratulations.
You guys have won an advantage
in next week's challenge.
- We'll see you next week.
- Desmond: With Catalina and Rebecca,
the trust has been broken.
- I want to win,
and I know we here
for eight weeks,
- so we better get
our shit together.
- Announcer: Next time on
"Lace Up: The Ultimate
Sneaker Challenge"...
- This week's celebrities
are Macklemore
- and supermodel Ashley Graham.
- Woman: This is way
more difficult than last week.
- Wow, you guys
are already cut that off.
That's a bad idea.
- He is letting us
thoroughly down.
- Let's start the runway show.
( chuckles )
- - I want to cry.
- Oh, that's gonna make it
hard to walk in.
- It was my favorite part.
- Desmond: I want to have
a conversation with you.
- - It doesn't feel good.
- Ultimately, we do have to
send you home.
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Description
Twelve aspiring footwear designers arrive at Portland’s Pensole Footwear Design Academy to begin a grueling eight weeks of competition, with jobs at Adidas on the line. Split up into four teams of three, their first challenge is to reimagine the Adidas Superstar for actor Anthony Anderson. To connect with the contestants and learn more about the Pensole Sneaker Design Competition, visit LaceUp.tv
Available with YouTube Premium - https://www.youtube.com/premium/originals. To see if Premium is available in your country, click here: https://goo.gl/A3HtfP
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