Take 5 with Lauren Luna

Celebrity shoe customizer Lauren Luna is in the middle of a multi-city tour promoting the Custom Ladies 2012 calendar titled "The Masterpiece Collection." The calendar features hand-painted reproductions of famous art on each shoe modeled by 12 top urban models. We convinced Ms. Luna to take a breather from her tour and "Take 5" for ShoesTV.

Lauren Luna

Tell us a bit about your design background?

LL: I am classically trained as a painter, and I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Kent State University. In May I will be graduating with a Masters in Fine Arts. I am originally from Columbus, Ohio, and in July I relocated to Houston to be a full-time artist. Techincally, I have three companies. Artista Luna (wall art), Lauren Luna Ltd. (customized shoes), and Custom Ladies LLP (custom sneakers).

*A few of Luna's awesome custom shoes:

How did you start Custom Ladies?

LL: Custom Ladies started as a way to draw attention to the fact that I am a 'sneaker customizer.' It was an easy match to pair urban models and sneakers, and it has since taken off into its own entity.

A 2012 Custom Ladies model

How did you start customizing celebrity sneakers?

LL: I used social media to connect with many different celebrities. I've made shoes for LL Cool J, Pharrell Williams, Angela Simmons, Truth Hurts, Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan, and many others. I decided last year that I needed to move to a bigger market, and once the snow hit, I knew it had to be a warmer market as well! That's what brought me to Houston.

Custom sneaks from the 2012 Custom Ladies calendar

 When did you first fall in love with shoes?

LL: I've always loved shoes. Being plus-sized, I'm limited to where I can shop, but with shoes, almost everything will work! And I've always had an eye for fashion. I've never been one to follow trends. I like what I like and I adapt accordingly to what's in style, while still being 100% me. For example, military-inspired fashion is in style right now, but for me it's never gone out. Most of the hottest shoes I make are the ones that I would personally wear. 

Some of Luna's military-inspired creations:

If you were packing for a trip around the world and could only take five pairs of shoes with you, what would they be?

LL:

1. Steve Madden motorcycle boots.

2. Nike Air Max.

3. Black scrunchy flat boots.

4. Lauren Luna Ltd. spiked stilettos.

5. Flip flops! I can't forget those!