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Change up your shoe game!

Fashion is a form of self-expression, and this is especially true when it comes to the sneaker scene. Whether you’re looking to get your feet wet or dive right in, SRGN Academy offers classes for people looking to change up their shoe game.

It’s no secret that Dominic Ciambrone aka The Shoe Surgeon himself is one of the best custom shoe designers out there. His out-of-the-box creativity and incredible list of notable clients back this up. Now he’s opened up his SRGN Studios and created SRGN Academy to welcome sneakerheads of any level to customize their own kicks and learn from some of L.A.’s very best.

The SRGN Academy offers two types of experiences. Their Decon/Recon Class and their Customization Workshop, which both bring your ultimate shoe dreams to life. Like we mentioned, whether you’re a total beginner or expert, no experience is required. Their goal is to allow your creativity to run wild.

Their Decon/Recon Class is a four day hands on boot camp that teaches you how to deconstruct and reconstruct classic shoe silhouettes like the true Shoe Surgeon way. You’ll get a comprehensive education on the process like sewing techniques, shaping, design and even get access to high-quality materials and tools. You’ll leave the class with your own custom pair of kicks you designed and handmade yourself.

If you’re looking to personalize a pair you already own, then their Customization Workshop is for you. This 3-hour lab allows your shoe to be your canvas and your artistry to flow. The Secret LA crew got to personally experience it, and from start to finish, the Surgeon Team answered all of our questions along the way―while also giving us total creative freedom.

We made two incredible pairs of personalized shoes to our liking. We coffee-dipped our first pair of Air Force 1’s, which left its overlays, liner, and the rubber outsole an incredible tan mocha color from top to bottom. We then adorned it in black lace hooks and a durable leather swoosh to match. Simple and chic.

We let our imagination take over with our galaxy-inspired kicks. We started off by painting the tongue an ombre-purple to replicate a night sky, then splashed black-light friendly paint to act as galactic stars. We then removed the original laces and replaced them with neon green ones to match our hand-made alien friend. We finished it off with some silver accents and a metallic embossed logo. Definitely an other-worldy pair.

If you’re interested in their workshop experience, all you have to do is bring your imagination and the kicks of your choice. They recommend simple plain white shoes like Air Force 1’s, Vans, or Chucks since they’re a little easier to customize. In the event that you’re out of kicks, they offer some for purchase. Get ready to get your hands dirty. You’ll have full access to their normal acrylic paints to glow-in-the-dark ones, top-notch materials and accessories, coffee dips and dyes―all the tools to make your vision come to life.

During this process, you’ll be able to grab yourself a drink while getting access to the overall SRGN Studios space. The Surgeon Team will give you an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of their set-up and warehouse. They’ll also give you a sneak peak at some of the customizations they’re currently working on and a look at past collaborations. It’s almost like a shoe museum as you pass the walls filled with personalized kicks over the years.

Whether you’re a sneakerhead, artist, or just looking for something fun―SRGN Academy is calling your name. If you’re interested in attending their classes, check out their site for the full scoop. For any questions, please reach out to school@theshoesurgeon.com

If you’re unable to make it in person, SRGN Academy also offers a 30-day online course. They guarantee that in one month, you’ll learn the total customization process. You can find more about it here.

Location: 3855 S. Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90037 (RSVP Required)

See more: 41 Free Things To Do In Los Angeles This Summer

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