Colin Szumski, a 24-year-old sneaker designer from Ohio, has made significant strides in the footwear industry, recently creating a custom pair of sneakers for Brittany Mahomes, wife of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Szumski reflects on his remarkable journey, which has seen him design for high-profile celebrities, including Justin Timberlake and players from the Philadelphia Eagles.
Szumski, a self-taught designer, began his sneaker venture during the COVID-19 pandemic after graduating from Kent State University with a degree in architecture. He initially learned the craft by watching YouTube videos and created shoes for family members, but he eventually decided to pursue it full-time after gaining popularity on social media.
The pivotal moment in Szumski’s career came when he received a message from Mahomes’ stylist, expressing interest in collaborating on a custom sneaker for an upcoming game night. Although the stylist did not initially disclose that the sneakers were for Mahomes, Szumski speculated based on context clues and confirmed the project once he received the green light.
The collaboration process involved Mahomes’ stylist providing a “base idea” for the sneakers, incorporating a patchwork technique that Szumski had not previously explored. He created a digital mock-up and, after receiving approval, spent 10 to 12 hours meticulously deconstructing and reconstructing the shoes. For the design, he cut up a Kansas City Chiefs jersey—featuring Patrick’s iconic No. 15—and integrated it into the sneaker, taking inspiration from Billie Eilish‘s Nike Air Force 1 Low ‘Mushroom’ shoes.
Once completed, Szumski shipped the sneakers to Kansas City, hoping to see them worn by Mahomes on game day. His excitement soared when Mahomes shared photos of the custom kicks on Instagram, prompting an overwhelming response that Szumski vividly remembers. “I was just staring at my phone for two hours, just trying to take it all in,” he said.
The social media buzz surrounding the sneakers mirrored the excitement Szumski felt when Timberlake showcased his work earlier this year. Although it’s unclear how Mahomes’ stylist discovered Szumski’s creations—he suspects it may have been through his viral Taylor Swift-inspired sneaker video—the recognition has significantly boosted his profile.
In addition to the Mahomes project, Szumski is hopeful about the future, particularly a potential collaboration with Taylor Swift. He created a “blinged-out jersey shoe” in collaboration with Pineapple Princess Creations, featuring the NFL logo and Travis Kelce’s name, and hopes to connect with Swift’s team to showcase his designs. Szumski admires Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, as another potential collaborator for game day attire, expressing a desire to work with her in the future.
As Szumski continues to navigate the sneaker world, he remains grounded and inspired by the opportunities that have come his way. “I don’t know what will happen, but it would be cool if we can still get them to her,” he said, reflecting on his aspirations in the industry. With his talent and creativity, it’s clear that Szumski is just getting started on his remarkable journey in sneaker design.
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