While custom footwear is a booming category in the modern day, part of the reason it’s reached that point is due to the efforts of Dan Gamache or Mache Customs, an artist whose designs have ended up in the hands of everyone from Lamar Jackson to Quavo. In the 2010s, no doubt one of the artists’ biggest highlights was handing down a pair of custom Nike LeBron’s to the shoe’s namesake. As the career retrospective that is the LeBron 23 continues to play out, he’s revisiting the concept once again.
Nike LeBron 9 “Iron Man” Customs@mache275
Nike LeBron X “Iron Man” Customs@mache275
To briefly recap, the story goes that a photo of the LeBron 9 “Tony Stark” made its way to the man himself. So struck with the design was James that he commissioned an “Iron Man” do-up of the LeBron X that he’d eventually receive and lace up pre-game.
Some twelve years later, as LeBron’s biggest moments in footwear and on the hardwood are in focus via Nike’s LeBron 23 storytelling, Mache is celebrating his piece of the puzzle by grafting the superhero theme on that silhouette. Though this version is a bit less maximalist than its predecessors, still their hallmarks shine through, with comic-like shadowing on the crown midsole and worn brass textures in the upper.
We will note that it appears this was a solo Mache effort rather than one with LeBron’s involvement; in sharing photos of this custom, Mache reached out to James to try and “restore the feeling.” No doubt it’d make for an exciting full-circle moment for both parties involved, and the greater sneakerhead world should he reach paydirt there, but even from afar, there’s a ton to take in. Catch in-hand shots included below.
Nike LeBron 23 “Iron Man” Customs@mache275
Nike LeBron 23 “Iron Man” Customs@mache275
Nike LeBron 23 “Iron Man” Customs@mache275
