As artist, we often get to make a living doing something we love to do. However, it is when we use the gifts we are giving to help someone else that makes the most difference. In an effort to help the people of Africa fight the AIDS epidemic, SBTG (Mark Ong) and visual culture magazine KULT in Singapore are holding a silent auction. All the profits from the auction go to the non-profit Africa Health Placements project to buy medical equipment in rural Africa.

To enter the auction, bidders from around the world should email their proposed price for the shoes to auction@kult.com.sg by April 21. The The highest bidder will be announced to the public at facebook.com/kult3D on June 1 and will receive a pair of shoes in their size customized with SBTG’s exclusive ‘Kult Darling’ design. As sneakerheads we are always looking for that elusive pair of kicks that no one else has. We also like to tell the story behind how we came up on that particular pair of sneakers. Here is an opportunity to achieve both those goals.

SBTG x KULT Silent Auction for AIDS Charity

The folks over at Ecentrik Shoe Artistry had a little extra time on their hands and decided to recreate the Nike Air Force 1 Playstation 10th Anniversary sneaker. As many of you may recall, the AF1 Playstation is a highly sought ofter sneaker. With only about 50 pairs being made, only the most exclusive of sneakerheads may have even seen them in person.

The folks at Ecentrik Shoe Artistry, like us, wanted to have their own pair and decided to create a one of one copy of the original. Though the blue on the sole is different, the custom looks very similar to the original. The only thing that stands out to me is the missing gradient on the back panel and the difference in material make-up. But besides that, it looks nice. Take a look at some before, after, and comparison shots below. How do you guys feel about a customizer making remaking a special edition sneaker?

Ecentrik Shoe Artistry: Playstation Air Force One Custom Remake

Ecentrik Shoe Artistry: Playstation Air Force One Custom Remake

Ecentrik Shoe Artistry: Playstation Air Force One Custom Remake

Ecentrik Shoe Artistry: Playstation Air Force One Custom Remake

Ecentrik Shoe Artistry: Playstation Air Force One Custom Remake

Ecentrik Shoe Artistry: Playstation Air Force One Custom Remake

Ecentrik Shoe Artistry: Playstation Air Force One Custom Remake

Ecentrik Shoe Artistry: Playstation Air Force One Custom Remake

Ecentrik Shoe Artistry: Playstation Air Force One Custom Remake

Ecentrik Shoe Artistry: Playstation Air Force One Custom Remake

I have heard that the Yankees have the best fans in the world. Whether that is true or not, I guess we will see when they line up to grab a pair of these limited edition Vans Vault Old Skool LX. The shoe is the latest in the Vans Vault x MLB Opening Day collection.

The low top sneakers sport a leather upper that sports the classic Yankee blue stripes. They sit on a white vulcanized sole and sport the usual stripe aroudn the midsole. Like the others, only 12 pairs will be available and they will be sold with an authentic matching jersey. They will be released on April 13 at DQM in New York.

Sad Autumn doesn’t sound like a good thing at all. Images of leaves turning and cold shoulders clash with the pending warm weather we are currently enjoying but this new pair of Womens 6.0’s are definitely right up our alley.

The high top Dunks are awesomely done with a red denim upper and great boot laces. The rustic midsole is met by a rusty metallic swoosh. Leather detailing on the ankle and tongue tag just really help to round this look out as one of the better Dunks we have seen this season. Funny how a shoe named ‘Sad Autumn’ can make us smile. Via Extra Butter

Singer Mayer Hawthorne recently received a 1-of-1 pair of Nike Dunk Highs created just for him. The customizer decided to go with a white / khaki colorway in the classic shoe, while burning Mayer’s name in country script on the rear of the shoe. The same panel also features a unique digital look, which adds depth to this otherwise bland shoe. Unfortunately, they will not release to the public, so the most you guys can do is drool over the picture.

HUF’s footwear footprint is getting longer as they introduce another model to us. After we looked at the Hupper’s awesome design we get to see an even simpler skate inspired model in the HUF1.

The shoe will be available in black, grey or grey/blue each one with a suede upper but the blue/grey uses leather paneling also. The HUF flag flies high around the ankle to cover the branding while the outsole is done in white with gum. These look pretty dope and we can’t wait to see what else the guys at HUF cook up. Via Nicekicks

Samples are a slippery slope. Sometimes they pop up and aside from pining over their design we also get to pour over their origin. Each shoe has a history/reason for being and with samples its tricky because they don’t really technically ‘exist’.

This sample pair of Dunks has become known as the Airwalk Enigma Dunk SB Low. The shoe sports a simple look that includes a tan suede upper and a full gum mid/outsole. The shoe has a black swoosh, heel tab and tongue lining. No word on if these will be coppable but we are sure you won’t be upset if they are. Via NSB

Man lets just go ahead and try and lay an early prediction down: 2010 is the year of the Dunk. If ever we felt like a resurgence was going on its now and the shoe that virtually sparked a lot this culture craze is jumping up and slapping us silly with dope designs.

This time we get a glance at what newly minted SB member Eric Koston is gonna be giving us this season. His low cut blue suede shoe has a red lining and red around the swoosh. The gold swoosh and gum outsole echo one another in ways that just make us wanna shed a tear of joy over these things of beauty. Via SR

We’ve been bringing you guys news on this pair of Nike Dunk Highs for a while now. They officially released at the beginning of the month, but some people were not able to get their hands on a pair. Fortunately, they have been restocked at select accounts including ANYCOnline. The shoes pay tribute to the late DJ AM.

They are made of red leather on the toebox, side panel and ankle while black patent leather lines the mudguard and heel. The stylized heel also features perforated detailing that mimics the sides of a turntable. The silver swoosh implies a the tone arm of the turntable. With a white midsole and logo tongue tag these are sure to not be around for long.

Nike Dunk High – DJ AM – Restock

Nike Dunk High – DJ AM – Restock