Custom sneakers aren’t just footwear — they’re becoming collectibles.

In this episode of Collector Nation, Ryan Alford talks with Colin Szumski, founder of Chummy’s Custom Shoes, about how one-of-one sneakers made from real jerseys are being treated like game-worn memorabilia and grails in today’s hobby.

Colin shares his journey from architecture school to building thousands of custom pairs, including the moment it clicked that his work wasn’t just fashion — it was collectible art. From Super Bowl projects and World Series designs to collaborations with major athletes, brands, and teams, Colin explains how scarcity, story, and emotion create lasting value.

The conversation covers:

• Turning real jerseys into one-of-one sneakers

• Why collectors wear pieces once, then display them

• Athletes signing shoes and preserving them as memorabilia

• Pricing and commissioning custom sneaker projects

• Scaling a creative brand without losing authenticity

• The role of storytelling in long-term collectibility

• Why custom sneakers may rival traditional memorabilia

This episode is a deep dive into how sneaker culture, collectibles, and creativity are converging — and why the definition of a collectible continues to evolve.

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Ryan Alford
Host, Collector Nation
Website: Video.CollectorNation.com and TheCollectorStation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford

Colin Szumski
Founder & Creative Director, Chummy’s Custom Shoes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_chummys
Website: https://chummiescustoms.com