KixKote Contest
kix Kote
Competition
Art Through the Decades
Pick a decade. Paint its story. Kote Your Kix.
We’re launching the first-ever KixKote custom footwear competition, and we want to see what you can create.
Choose a decade that inspires you and bring it to life on a pair of shoes using KixKote. Pull inspiration from the art, music, fashion, culture, colors, events, or attitude that defined your decade.
Your decade. Your interpretation. Your art.
Choose a decade that inspires you and bring it to life on a pair of shoes using KixKote. Pull inspiration from the art, music, fashion, culture, colors, events, or attitude that defined your decade.
Your decade. Your interpretation. Your art.
Registration Opens October 12 Enter by November 1 Winner Announced January 1, 2027
Save These Dates
From registration to the final vote, here’s everything you need to know about the competition timeline.
October 12 – November 1
Registration Officially sign up for the KixKote Art Through the Decades Competition.December 12
Painting Ends Your custom must be completed by December 12.December 13
Final Submissions Due Submit your completed shoe, final photos, videos, and required competition content.December 21
Top Five Announced Our judging panel will select the Top 5 customs moving on to the final round.December 21–28
Public Voting The Top 5 go to the public. Fans, followers, artists, and the custom community will vote for their favorite design.January 1, 2027
Winner Announced One artist will officially become the winner of the first-ever KixKote™ Art Through the Decades Competition.The Rules
👟 Your Shoe. Your Canvas.
Use any shoe you want as the base for your Art Through the Decades custom.
The shoe must be new.
Choose a decade and use it as the inspiration for your design. Your artwork can pull from the music, fashion, culture, events, art, colors, personalities, movements, or overall attitude of that era.
Tell the story of your decade your way.
🎨 Kote It With KixKote
KixKote paint must be used to create your custom.
Your design, techniques, style, and creative direction are completely up to you.
We give you the theme. You decide how to bring it to life.
🎥 Show Us the Process
We don't just want to see the finished shoe. We want to watch it come to life.
Each contestant must share:
- At least two videos showcasing your creative process and artwork coming together.
- At least one final reveal of the completed custom.
- Competition content must include #KoteYourKix and #KixKoteContest.
Reels. Timelapses. Behind-the-scenes clips. Tutorials. Storytelling. Progress videos.
Show us how you create.
Win Big. Get Seen.
The Top 5 customs selected by our judging panel will move on to the final round and will be featured and reviewed by DeJesus Custom Footwear on their YouTube channel. The competition then moves to a public vote from December 21–28.
🔥 Complete 1 oz WALK101 KixKote™ Paint Kit
Valued at $500
Stock your paint wall and get ready for the next project.
💰 $500 Winning Shoe Bounty
KixKote™ will purchase the winning custom for $500 to be permanently displayed at KixKote™ Headquarters.
Your winning shoe becomes part of KixKote™ history.
$1,000 Total Prize Value + Bragging Rights
Meet the Judges
Your work will be reviewed by a panel of artists, creators, educators, and industry professionals from across the custom footwear community.
Dillon DeJesus
DCF Customs
Custom footwear artist and creator behind DCF Customs.
Art Nash
Winner of the CANVSS Competition
Competition-winning artist bringing proven creativity, craftsmanship, and an artist's perspective to the judging panel.
Shawn Witt
Owner of KixKote™
Founder and owner of KixKote, bringing the product, brand, and creative vision behind the competition to the judging panel.
Michael Martinez
King Midas Customs
Custom artist and creator behind King Midas Customs.
Christie Englese
Kix Chix Academy
Custom footwear artist and educator representing the Kix Chix Academy.
What Are the Judges Looking For?
Creativity • Originality • Execution • Craftsmanship • Storytelling • Overall Design
How well did you bring your decade to life?
The judges will select the Top 5 designs, which will advance to the public voting round beginning December 21.
Ready to Kote Your Kix?
Think you've got an idea?
Pick your decade. Grab a new pair of shoes. And show us what you've got.
Complete the registration form below to officially enter the KixKote Art Through the Decades Competition.
Registration is open October 12 through November 1.
Official Competition Rules
By entering the KixKote Art Through the Decades Competition, participants agree to the complete contest terms, eligibility requirements, submission requirements, judging procedures, prize conditions, and other official rules.
View Official Rules```