How Andy Martinez Turned Nike Air Force 1s Into Viral Cowboy Boots | Billboard News

Andy Martinez invites Billboard into his home studio to talk about the creation of his viral “Andy Boot,” a custom sneaker-cowboy boot hybrid made from Nike Air Force 1s. He explains how his New York upbringing, love of design and passion for customization shaped his work, and how a simple online post turned his creations into a viral sensation. Martinez also reflects on landing collaborations through social media, creating custom boots for Seth Rollins, selling artwork to Drake and designing footwear worn by artists including SZA, Doechii, LeBron James, Maluma and more. Plus, he discusses his Dominican roots, streetwear, country style and why the Andy Boot is ultimately a New York hip-hop creation.

Andy Martinez:

That’s like a blank canvas, but no one’s customized them this way before. Hey, Billboard, nice to see you. Come on right into my home studio, my laboratory, if you will. My name is Andy Martinez, and I make boots.

Producer:

What kind of boots?

Andy Martinez:

Well, viral internet sensation boots. Nike cowboy boots. I call them the Andy Boot because it’s more of, like, a self-portrait approach to design. So if I were to be a shoe, I would look just like this. I grew up in Washington Heights and the Upper West Side, basically anywhere between the 1 line. I got my start designing, well, before it was a job title. Design is just, like, second nature to me. It’s, it’s more of, like, a lifestyle thing to me. I’ve been designing and drawing on my T-shirts and sneakers since I was, like, in fifth grade. Oh, hey. Give you a little tour of my home office, if you will. So right here we have a queue of three boots that I’m supposed to do for a client. This is another one that I’m supposed to work on, but they’re basically black Air Forces. Did a nice little fade brown gradient to it.