In His Shoes

When it comes to comprehensive wardrobes, the sneaker game has risen to meteoric heights. In a saturated and insatiable market, though, owning one-of-a-kind kicks is a rarity without unlimited funds and access. Enter artist, Ken Christensen. If you have ever stepped into West Edmonton Mall, you know him. Even if never formally introduced, we’ve all met Christensen through his work as the creative director of WEM, where his talent in murals, floral design, retail merchandising, store design, and other mediums that showcase his work are on display.

Christensen has successfully developed his professional career around his adoration of animals, fashion, sustainability, and art. His interest began as a young man in Ellerslie, Alberta. Growing up in a rodeo family, he followed his calling to beautify business signs, chuck wagons, animal trailers, chicken coops, and other structures at a time before digital printing was mainstream. Receiving his visual communications and fashion merchandising degree allowed this self-described artistic entrepreneur to flourish and solidify his career.

Christensen’s love of fashion and devotion to sustainability make his one-of-a-kind sneaker business perfectly align with his values as an artistic entrepreneur. Placing importance on repurposing and taking all things and making them new again through custom artistry is impressive. With his warm and engaging demeanour, he carefully tends to each project. Every client is met with a genuine curiosity and appreciation for their idea. The result is their vision brought to life on leather jackets, helmets, and sneakers in a carefully crafted process and style that is uniquely Ken Christensen.

A classic canvas sneaker—new or well-worn—is ideal, but Christensen’s talent allows him to prep and work with just about any material. His designs include iterations for momentous occasions like graduations, weddings, and birthdays. He pulls on heartstrings with his portraits of pets, and heartily encourages his clients to enjoy his work by wearing them. 

Christensen’s work can be spotted on the kicks of people around town, throughout the USA and Europe, and on dance troupes here in Canada. 

I asked Ken to fill in the blank in the sentence, “I’ve never met a ___ that I didn’t like.” He replied, “…an idea or a colour…” Bright and cheerful, just like him.