Dominic Ciambrone is known as the Shoe Surgeon due to his one-of-a-kind custom sneakers which he has created for celebrities and major brands including Odell Beckham Jr., Gucci, and Drake.
Now, the self-taught cobbler and creative is teaming up with Eggo for a Fully Loaded Kicks sneaker collab featuring 100 percent custom waffle-grid-bottomed sneakers.
"This collaboration was nostalgic for me, I remember when I was growing up our family always had Eggos stocked in my freezer — I grew up eating Eggos! So, working with Eggo on Fully Loaded Kicks was a no brainer for me," he told Distractify. "I really wanted to create something that was puffy and on trend, but also true to the brand. I also wanted to figure out how I could create my own 3D waffle pattern to add to this sneaker."
Along with sharing his go-to breakfast when he's in the mood for waffles — "I love dropping a few Eggo waffles in the toaster and adding some peanut butter and syrup" — he also answered a few fun questions for Distractify so we can get to know the man behind the shoes.
If you had to get a tattoo right now, what would it be?
DC: My kids are very creative and are constantly drawing or painting. I'd like to have my daughter's next drawing be my next tattoo.
What’s your most-used emoji?
DC: 🧇
What’s your favorite TV show?
DC: I don’t watch TV so I don't have a favorite. I'm a very hands-on creative and prefer to spend my time making.
Tell us about the first concert you ever attended.
DC: I don’t recall my exact first concert. Thinking back, going to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds when I was 12 and the live concerts they had may have been it. But it was probably Justin Timberlake or Christina Aguilera in Oakland back when I was in high school.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
DC: I’ve actually never done karaoke! But if and when I do, I'm thinking I’d karaoke some Drake for sure!
If you weren't a sneaker designer/artist, what would your dream job be?
DC: I’m not a sneaker designer. I identify as a creative who can and will do anything. I'm fortunate to have my dream job and be able to create anything I put my mind to.
Share your top three desert island necessities.
DC: Uncrustables, a book, and a pillow.
What’s your favorite color?
DC: I don't believe in favorites ... for me, they don’t exist. It really depends on my mood. We're always changing. Currently, olive, black, and charcoal have been my top choices.
What is your dream collaboration / who would you love to design a sneaker for?
DC: Every project is different and I'm grateful we've partnered with the biggest brands in the world, especially ones like Eggo where this hits home and is very nostalgic for me. It's really about the connection and who we can reach emotionally, tapping into something beyond sneakers. Different mediums and forms of creativity are what I'm exploring — now it's about making music with Pharrell, or building a house.
If you could switch lives with any celebrity for a day, who would it be and why?
DC: Alive or dead, probably Abraham Lincoln. That man has witnessed a lot.
What’s your No. 1 distraction?
DC: Myself. We are the makers of our lives — we are responsible for how we react, and what we make of it.
Starting on Friday, May 17, at 12 p.m. ET, the limited-edition Eggo Fully Loaded Kicks will be available on UrbanNecessities.com for $150 per pair, while supplies last. Additional kicks will be released on the remaining Fridays in May at 12 p.m. ET.