In his spare time, the Westbrook High School student has turned his passion into a business.
BEAUMONT, Texas — After Nelly finished performing to a huge crowd at Southeast Texas Mardi Gras, he met a local artist and entrepreneur, who had a special gift for him.
In honor of Nelly’s popular song “Air Force Ones,” 18-year-old Gabe Silva knew he had to take this opportunity to gift the rapper his own pair of custom sneakers while he was in town.
Silva, like many others, has had more hobbies in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift to online learning at Westbrook High School has freed up some of Silva’s time.
He took his free time to turn a passion into a business. As a result, GS Customs was born about a year ago. To the surprise of many, Silva’s skills are all natural.
“I’ve always been interested in art, but I’ve never really taken a class. I’ve always been good with the stability of my hands. I search a lot on YouTube if I need help. helps like that. But most things, I’m just good with it, with my hands,” he said.
Nelly isn’t the first personality Silva has created custom shoes for. He made a pair for Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards and a pair for Michael Rainey of the TV show “Power.”
The longest time it took Silva to customize a pair of shoes was a week. They are called “GOAT Edition” and feature Tom Brady and Lebron James.
Southeast Texas Artist Creates Custom Shoes and Gives Rapper Nelly a Pair of Gifts
Silva takes orders through Facebook and Instagram and offers pickup and even international shipping. He asks that people message him with inquiries.
MORE | GS Customs Facebook
MORE | GS Customs Instagram
Custom shoes and cleats are not its only activity. Silva is also a proud owner of his own clothing brand called “We Are Not The Same”.
“God makes us all different and not everyone is the same, so that’s where I got that from,” he said.
There is certainly more in store for Silva’s future when it comes to his business. At the moment he is at the university of barber, but he does not limit himself.
“There are more things I want to do. I want to open stores and different stores and stuff like that. It’s happening.”
Silva is from Staten Island and came to Beaumont when he was 10 years old after his father found a job in the area. He said his roots in New York and Texas helped him in this endeavor.
“I feel like a lot of people from New York like people from Texas, they have a different style and a different kind of culture, and a lot of people like that,” he said.
Silva thanks and thanks his parents, two brothers and his girlfriend for supporting him in his endeavors.