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INTERVIEW WITH EmmanueLabor 6.04.04

How did you get started in the customs game?
I guess I've been customizing since the early 90's. Back then it was mostly switiching out laces and coloring the swooshes or stripes with Sharpies, paint pens, and fat tipped markers. I would also write names or initials or maybe my number to go with my jersey. A few years ago I ran across some Rayguns customs Methamphibian did that blew my mind. I did a lil research and found out about more permanant techniques that lasted longer and looked better than Sharpies and paint pens. I tried out a few on some of my shoes and they came out aiight and I've been at it ever since.

Do you do customs on Air Force Ones only?
Nah. The 1st shoe I ever customized were some Adidas. Since then I've worked on Air Force Ones, Dunks, Jordans, Blazers, Reeboks, Terminators, and Converse. I just recently got into doing shirts as well but thats still in the early stages.

What's your favorite custom so far?
I really dont have one favorite custom. I put so much of myself into every shoe that I do so all of them have a special meaning to me. I can name a couple that are my favorites for different reasons. As far as just paint jobs go, I'd say the Neopolitains and the Padres Converse I did. Besides those, I'd say the Kanye West and N*E*R*D customs cause I got to meet the guys from NERD and got a message from Kanye about his. To know that they were feelin them made me feel really good.

Any neck-breaking stories while rocking your customs?
I guess anytime I wear customs I get a few looks and points. I've had a few incidents in my barber shop where guys would stop mid cut to check out my shoes. Another time a teller at the bank had me take my shoe off so she could check it out. I'd probably have to say I got the biggest reaction with the Padres Converse one time down in Portland. Everywhere we went, people were stopping me or my friends asking about them. It felt weird cause I'm not accustomed to attention like THAT.

What kind of paint do you use?
I use acrylic based paints with a mixture of a few mediums and stuff.

What was your hardest custom job?
The hardest custom I ever did was a pair of Mariners colored shoes for a rapper named 151. It was hard cause it was such short notice but he needed them the next morning for a photo shoot or somethin. I worked all through the night and got them to his man before he got on the plane.

You've worked on numerous projects/celebrities, can you tell us a bit about it and how did you end up doing customs for brands and celebs?
The 1st pair I did for a celebrity was actually through a store I was working with at the time. The store was right next to a local record shop and dude was there to sign autographs. He came next door and saw some of my work, and put in an order on the spot. Besides that, I reached out to the artists or their handlers and even radio stations myself. Since Im not in a major city like LA or NY, I have to put myself and my work out there until I build a big enough rep.

Would you rather get a deal with Nike like Remix Da Kickz or stay independent?
Well I've always wanted to work with Nike since I was like 13 so I guess I'd say get a deal like Remix Da Kickz. The independant route will always be there, but a chance to work with a major shoe company and get some major exposure and be in retail spots around the world would be sick. Independantly, I'd have more creative control but I'd have to grind alot harder to get to where I wanna be. Alot of people in certain circles knock Remix da Kicks, but you gotta give credit where credit is due. I'd love to be in their postion right now.....theyre doin their thing.

Can you tell us about your future projects ?
Right now Im just trying to really build my name/rep up and get my stuff seen by more and more people. I hope to do more work with music artist and sports figures. Im working on a clothing line(emmanueLabor) as well to parlay what I have goin on now into somethin bigger. Its a slow process but Imma get to where I wanna be in a minute.

What makes you stand out from other customizers?
I'd have to say my flexibility. I paint, I do fabrics and textiles, graphics etc. I just try to keep my mind open and try different stuff. I dont ever wanna be able to be pigeonholed into one certain category.

What do you think of the custom game right now?
It's flooded right now. A lot of people are in it lookin to make a quick buck. Some people don't like that, but Im a firm believer that the cream always rises to the top. There's a bunch of guys out there doin their thing that I really respect, but then there's a bunch of followers and copy cats on some follow the leader vibe. I cant really complain though cause everybody has to start somewhere. I think things will level themselves back out after a while and it'll be back to those of us that do it for the love of doin it. If I never get paid to do another custom, I'd still be doing them for myself cause its somethin I enjoy doin.

What do you think will be the next trend in customs?
I dont know, the sky's the limit. There are some trendsetters that are pushin the envelope that might come up with stuff I havent even thought of yet. I think the denim and fabric thing is gonna get bigger and I think there might be more people doin the etching thing to get that Laser effect. Umm, I see more people maybe trying to deconstruct and reconstuct shoes differently. Anything's possible

Any last words/Shoutouts ?
My family and friends for supportin me, Uptowns.net for havin my back since day 1, Jay and Carlos at Jay's Lockerroom for givin me my 1st big break, Alonzo(MrHotFlavaz) for hittin me off with some wisdom about the game, Johnnie(Creative Sole) for vibin with me and keepin me on my toes, Major League Barber and Beauty, Eddie and Karen at Kube93 FM, Methamphibian, Remix Da Kickz, SBTG, JorOne, and any other customizer out there doin their thing and inspiring me.

Contact info: emmanuelabor@hotmail.com

emmanueLabor CUSTOMS
151	BENGALS
BUDDEN	LADIES
KANYE	KANYE
LRG	CRUNCHY
OSTRICH	PADRES
NEOPOLITAIN	N.E.R.D.