Zach Hoo-Lochrie
The enduring love for the classic Nintendo game, Super Mario, is evident through the countless ways fans continue to immortalize the franchise. From merchandise to custom creations and art, Super Mario remains a beloved icon. French designer Aboulaye Koné has joined in on the fandom by creating a unique and eye-catching concept: the “Mario Bros” x Air Force 1 custom sneakers.
Unlike other Super Mario Bros. custom sneakers we’ve seen, Koné’s design draws inspiration specifically from Super Mario 3, which happens to be the designer’s favorite game in the series. The sneakers feature a classic red outsole paired with a white midsole, evoking the lips and mouth of the Piranha Plants that frustrate many players. Continuing the carnivorous plant theme, the sneakers also boast a red mudguard with white spots, perfectly capturing the essence of the creature. The green mid-foot panel pays homage to the warp pipes that the Piranha Plant is known for sticking out of, or perhaps even the plant’s foliage itself.
The front area of the sneakers is adorned with Mario and Luigi’s iconic hats, with Luigi’s hat on the lateral side and Mario’s on the medial side. Additionally, the Super Mario Super Star can be seen near the collar, above the tail of the Nike Swoosh. A perforated toe box adds a touch of nostalgia, resembling the yellow question mark brick often seen in the game. On the right shoe, a pixelated red super mushroom is featured, while a green 1-up mushroom is displayed on the left shoe.
The Nike Swoosh logo matches the dark yellow of the toe box and is accented with orange decorative stitching, giving it a brick-like appearance. The paneling that wraps around the heel is beautifully decorated to resemble the sky background found in most Super Mario games, complete with a blue sky and fluffy white clouds. The heel also features a Fire Flower on one side and a happy-faced cloud on the other.
Additional details include the character Toad looking epic on the tongue and the presence of Bowser, one of the biggest villains in the Super Mario Bros universe, on the heel counter. These custom sneakers showcase the talent and creativity of Aboulaye Koné, who typically works on manga and anime-inspired sneakers and figurines. However, the Mario Bros design expands his portfolio into different styles while remaining true to his artistic vision.
If you’re enchanted by these “Mario Bros” x Air Force 1 custom concept sneakers, you’ll be delighted to know that Aboulaye Koné accepts commissions through direct messages. So, if you’re interested in owning a unique and personalized creation, don’t hesitate to reach out. The imaginative and playful spirit of Super Mario lives on through these one-of-a-kind sneakers. Will you wear a pair?
