Pro-ID

Our latest design challenge, Play-Doh Kicks, was not only one of the most fun, but also one of our biggest. We asked our readers to sculpt a rendition of their favorite kicks in play-doh as a mini tribute to shoe design (and our childhoods).

With over 100 pairs of play-doh shoes in the closing line-up, the challenge was an especially hard one to judge, as each entry has a lovely character all its own. Wth the help of Woody, editor and founder of Sneaker Freaker, and Kueng-Caputo, Swiss designers and copy experts, we've narrowed one hundred and twenty-one entries down to one grand prizewinner and two honorable mentions, based on that magic combination of fidelity, craftsmanship and interpretation.

With no further ado, we're thrilled to announce that Flipp82 from Germany has won the grand prize for his interpretation of the Adidas SL 72, combining two colorways in one hyper-detailed model, down to the logo on the tongue of the sneaker and the perforated yellow tread. The thin, light modeling work makes the shoe feel well-worn and loved, which is exactly how we imagine them in their owner's closet. Flipp82 will receive a $100 gift certificate to the new Core77 store, Hand Eye Supply, a copy of Copyby Kueng-Caputo, a lifetime subscription to Sneaker Freaker, and a publication spot in their December issue.

Two honorable mentions will receive a $25 gift certificate to Hand Eye Supply and be published alongside Flipp82's Adidas SL 72 in the December issue of Sneaker Freaker. First, we had no choice but to select Pichon's insanely accomplished and well photographed recreation of theNike Mercurial Vapor Superfly II? Second, blight nailed the character ofvintage LL Bean velcro sneaks (with Thinsulate) in an equally brown and grey model with all the details, from the stratification of the rubber and foam sole to the padded suede ankle supports.

Below, we share a few more notables—we were completely blown away. For the full-effect, browse the submission forum for a visual treat not too far off from a claymation short.

Big thanks to all the participants and congratulations to the winners!

Alice-aq's humprous Nike Dunk. A model of the shoe was simply not enough for her—she included the hot pink gum it stepped in.

Fantastically detailed McFlys by Joel Colley.

RalphZoontjens' playful Nike Free Run sole.

Tiny Purple Reebok Top Down Hightops by brittvogel

Beautiful Nike Elite 1977s by motoki228.

We love Meagimoo's loyalty to her Nike Court Forces, bought with her first pay check. Our favorite part of this entry is the description: "I've had them for years, and no matter how often I clean them, they never seem clean enough!" And, of her reinterpretation, above: "And seeing as I see everything cartoon, this is how they look to me!"

Lottie Duke made fake Nike AF2s for fake legs.

Kershaw's tiny Vibram 5Finger KSOs.

Ksl88's convincing Onitsuka Tiger Monte Pokharas, with fantastic lacework.

Teemunny23 really took on a challenge with these Air Jordan 6 "Carmines". This was the 3rd attempt at the challenge, made in only 30 minutes. Check out that perfectly crafted, perforated ankle pad!

And finally, big kudos to Alpine for making this timelapse documentation of the sculpting of her 3-year old Nike Airs (and for filling them with play-doh plants, to indicate their next life, maybe).

See many, many more amazing renditions of kicks in Play-Doh here.

Core77