Used to be that the latest Air Jordan would satiate the rapper’s hunger for sneaker style. But it’s not the eye popping spot it once was. You have to gain even further distinction from your musical brethren. That leaves two roads to hoe: Get a signature shoe like Kanye or get an artist to make you 1 of 1′s. The latter happens to be Mac Miller’s bag. Mac got Brush Footwear’s Ben Smith, whose work you should know well by now, to custom up some Vans Classics to homage Miller’s debut album “Blue Slide Park”. Both guys are Pittsburgh based so the collab was natural, as was the inclusion of a Penguins snapback. Here’s what Ben told us:

The first pair was painted to match his debut album. Painted white with subtle grey brush strokes and shading, featuring the “Blue Slide Park” album cover on the front and “Mac Miller” finishing up on the sides. The second pair was painted in a cool grey, featuring the “Most Dope” logo on the front and “Mac Miller” on the sides. A customized Mitchell & Ness Pittsburgh Penguins snapback features “Most Dope” on the bottom of the bill. Everything was painted free handed using only a brush. No stencils!

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