# Youth Sneaker Design Contests Vans Custom Culture Challenges High Schools to Re-Imagine the Shoes By Ell Smith | Published 2018-02-06 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vans-custom References: [hypebae](https://hypebae.com/2018/2/vans-slip-on-custom-culture-design-competition) & [customculture.vans](https://customculture.vans.com/) As part of its Culture Ambassador Program, [Vans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/otw-by-vans-line) is challenging high school students to design their own pair of slip-on sneakers in a competition titled "Vans Custom Culture." The contest is supporting art education throughout the United States as the winner will receive $75,000 USD for their school's art program. All of the designs are being featured on the brand's designated [Instagram](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zhang-quan-1), with standouts ranging from sharpie-based re-designs to imaginative cup cake-inspired creations. To enter the competition, students are asked to register their high school, and to submit one design per school. After the designs are completed, a panel of judges will select the top 50 entries, from there, voting is open to the public. Image Credit: @vanscustomculture ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.0/10 - Popularity: 87% | Activity: 84% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Custom Sneaker Design Contests:** Opportunity for brands to engage with consumers and tap into their creativity through customizable products. - **Promoting Art Education:** Opportunity for organizations to support art education and foster creativity among young individuals. - **Crowdsourced Design Competitions:** Opportunity to leverage consumers' insights and preferences by involving them in the design process. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Apparel and Footwear:** Opportunity for apparel and footwear brands to offer customizable products that cater to consumers' individual tastes and preferences. - **Education:** Opportunity for education institutions and organizations to promote art education and inspire creativity in students. - **Marketing and Advertising:** Opportunity for brands to engage with their target audience and generate buzz through design competitions and social media promotion. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Fine Art-Inspired Sneaker Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/otw-by-vans-line.md) - [Vibrant Rugged Skate Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vans-varsity-collection.md) - [Fashion-Inspired Skate Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/old-skool-36-souvenir.md) - [Textural Update Skate Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zhang-quan-1.md) - [Artful Sneaker Musical Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/old-skool-36-fm.md) - [Harajuku-Inspired Slip-Ons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/harajuku-punk.md) - [Artistic Sneaker Collaborations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skechers-x-vexx.md) - [Formally Transformed Skate Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mastery-atelier.md) - [Surf-Inspired Skate Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yusuke-hanai-2.md)