From Air Jordans to classic Converse Chuck Taylors, sneaker culture—both new and vintage—is having a major moment. Now, those looking for shoes that are true one-of-ones can customize their kicks at a pop-up experience in Wynwood.
Majorwavez Lab—boasting additional locations in Las Vegas and Los Angeles—opened in Wynwood earlier this year. It’s the brainchild of Ruben Barraza, who goes by the moniker “Majorwavez.”
“It’s all about going into the workshop and being open-minded with your designs,” Barraza says. “Our instructors are there to help every step of the way. We say, ‘Never stop creating’ quite a bit within our workshops and we really mean that.”
Barraza left a job in corporate retail with Urban Outfitters to customize shoes full-time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, orders for his creations started to slow. Barraza says he then began to envision a “Build-a-Bear Workshop–like concept” for sneaker customization, and Majorwavez Lab was born.
Across his three locations, Barraza says he has hosted more than 9,000 shoe students. At the Wynwood location, he sees 60 students per week during classes on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m. Classes last approximately three to five hours and cost $150. Note the BYOS—Bring Your Own Sneakers—policy. Barraza notes that, in a pinch, there is a Foot Locker store within a 15-minute walk of the studio. His recommendation? Bring a pair of leather shoes (as opposed to fabric) because the material is more durable and easier to wipe clean in case of user error with paints. When you arrive at the lab with your shoes in hand, you’ll find hundreds of fabrics, thread spools, paints, pens, and more for customizing your kicks—including access to a special sewing machine that can stitch through the tough materials shoes are made of.
The Miami spot has become popular for date nights, parent-kid bonding, and everything in between. “I love it when people come in with sentimental items and make something new,” Barraza says. “We had someone recently bring in their grandpa’s duffel bag and upcycle it to make shoes out of it. It was super cool to see how much that meant to them.”
Workshops can be booked up to a month in advance online. Barraza says Majorwavez Lab will remain a pop-up through early 2025. Beyond that, he hopes to find a permanent space in the 305 to keep things kickin’.
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