Close-up of hand-painted details on a custom sneaker
Origin Story

From the garage to the gallery

De La Rosa Designz started in 2019 when Miguel painted a pair of Air Force 1s for a friend's birthday. The friend wore them to work. Three coworkers asked for pairs. Within a month, Miguel had a waiting list.

There was no business plan. No launch strategy. Just a folding table in a garage, some Angelus paint, and a growing list of people who wanted something nobody else had on their feet.

The Process

Built to last, not just look good

Custom sneakers have a reputation for being fragile. Peel after a few wears, crack at the toe box, fade in sunlight. That reputation exists because most customs skip the prep work.

Every DLRD pair goes through a full process:

  • Surface deglaze to remove factory finish
  • Multiple thin coats of Angelus leather paint
  • Heat-setting between layers for bond strength
  • 2 to 3 coats of flexible finisher (matte or gloss)
  • 24-hour cure time before shipping

The result is paint that moves with the leather instead of fighting it. Clients wear DLRD customs daily for months without cracking or peeling.

Collection of colourful sneakers on dark background
Street art mural with vibrant colours and bold lettering
Influences

Street art on your feet

Miguel grew up surrounded by murals in East LA. The neighbourhood walls were his first art education: bold colours, sharp lines, fearless composition. That influence shows up in every pair he paints.

The work also draws from comic book illustration, Japanese streetwear graphics, and lowrider culture. Each commission is a mix of the client's vision and Miguel's visual vocabulary.

By the numbers

350+

Pairs painted

0

Duplicates

6

Years running

Ready to commission a pair?

Every project starts with your idea. Read through the custom order process and get in touch when you are ready.

Custom Order Info