Five of the Best 80s-Inspired Custom Sneakers from the Skinz Time Collection | Skinz Time

The Skinz Time 80s Collection is a series of custom sneakers inspired by iconic movies, TV shows, and pop culture from the 1980s. Built on classic silhouettes like the Jordan 1, Nike Air Force 1, and Reebok Club-C, each pair blends nostalgia with handcrafted detailing. Below are five of my favorite custom sneakers from the collection, including designs inspired by He-Man, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Akira, Star Wars, and more.

Since its inception in 2021, I've added close to 20 pairs to the collection, and have sketches ready for another 20. My favorites are below, but you can see the full collection here.

1. Jordan 1 Retro High 'Skeletor'

   A nod to the 80s most iconic villain, this pair of Jordan Retro 1's features a color palette to match the character, as well as the infamous Nike SB Dunks. The pair comes complete with distressed detailing on the midsoles, since they've been 'sitting' since the 80s. MYAH!

   
   

   

   
   

2. Nike Air Force 1 '8-Bit'

   These Nike Air Force 1s were a labor of love. I wondered if I could add pieces from an original GameBoy to bring the design to life. It took a bit of trial and error, but in the end I was able to embed the pieces into the rear panel. It's not the cleanest work, but it works.

   
   

   

   
   

3. Adidas Forum Mid 'Stay Puft'

   This one is sentimental because it was my first fully airbrushed design. I had an airbrush for a while, but was always scared to use it out of fear of messing things up. After convincing myself that I couldn't 'mess up' this design, I went for it. The airbrush was used to create a burnt marshmallow effect with a vibrant proton ray design. Who ya gonna call?

   
   

   

   
   

4. Jordan Retro IV 'Bounty Hunter'

   The Jordan IV 'Bounty Hunter' started off as a failed project with another theme entirely. When I ruined the client's pair, I gifted him another pair in exchange but kept the original pair. After months of contemplation, I decided on a Boba Fett design since the soles were already red. I added the scuffed, battle damaged details to the armor to complete the design.

   
   

   

   
   

5. Nike Air Max 90 'Shell Shock'

   I've always wanted to do a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles design, and this pair is one of my all-time favorites. The Nike Air Max 90 is a perfect silhouette for the design, allowing multiple panels to add different details including the shell, brick work to pay homage to New York City, and air bubbles for some delicious pizza. Cowabunga!

   
   

   

Interested in owning a pair of custom sneakers inspired by your favorite movie, cartoon, video game, or era? Explore more designs or contact Johnny Skinz to start a commission.

You can find more photos from the collection, behind-the-scenes looks, and more on my Instagram.

Johnny Skinz