For my senior capstone collection, I aimed to engage with the experiences that have shaped my creative journey. Growing up, I played basketball—not very well, but my admiration for the shoes was undeniable. This inspired me to create a collection of basketball shoes that pays homage to the silhouettes which ignited my passion for footwear. My color palette draws inspiration from comic books, an art medium my mom always encouraged me to appreciate. Additionally, as a tribute to my grandmother, who unfortunately didn’t see me graduate, I incorporated elements from hornets and wasps, referencing the Charlotte Hornets, her home-state basketball team.

Illustration by me and Turquoise Fire