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Westchester Teen Puts One Foot Forward With School-Spirited Sneakers

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. -- Rebecca Feldman is really excited about pursuing a BFA degree at Temple University's Tyler School of Art in the fall.

New Rochelle teen Rebecca Feldman with one of her sneaker designs.

New Rochelle teen Rebecca Feldman with one of her sneaker designs.

Photo Credit: Submitted
College-themed sneakers by New Rochelle art student Rebecca Feldman.

College-themed sneakers by New Rochelle art student Rebecca Feldman.

Photo Credit: Submitted
Go Rochester! University sneakers by New Rochelle Artist Rebecca Feldman.

Go Rochester! University sneakers by New Rochelle Artist Rebecca Feldman.

Photo Credit: Submitted
Sneakers designed by New Rochelle Artist Rebeca Feldman.

Sneakers designed by New Rochelle Artist Rebeca Feldman.

Photo Credit: Submitted
Boston College sneakers by New Rochelle Artist Rebecca Feldman.

Boston College sneakers by New Rochelle Artist Rebecca Feldman.

Photo Credit: Submitted

The New Rochelle high school senior is also excited about her friends' decisions to go to Yale, Tufts, Boston College and University of Wisconsin and so, to help get them off on the right foot --- pun intended -- she started creating custom designs for sneakers in the colors, logos and mascots of their soon-to-be-schools.

Each shoe is covered from the top, sides and back with different patterns and details including the graduation year and school slogan. Feldman, who's studying visual arts as part of New Rochelle High School's PAVE program, can also design sneakers for sports teams and summer camps.

"I love coming up with unique designs for each pair and so far, everyone who has received their sneakers has been blown away," she said.

In addition to the fancy footwear, she also works with her friend and fellow New Ro resident Samantha Maccabee to re-design spirit apparel. Folks simply have to supply the girls with a t-shirt, halter top or sweatshirt from the school, and they'll redesign it by creating a lace up top, making it a halter or bleaching it.

They also offer mix and match where they can bleach a halter tank or a lace up shirt. Prices for apparel ranges from $10 to $25.

Sneakers cost is $50 (not including the cost of the shoes; typically folks ship the sneakers to Feldman and she sends them back once they're done).

This wasn't something that was supposed to be a "business." So far, it's just been something she's posted on Instagram for fun but has found the response to be overwhelming not just from fellow teens but from their moms as well -- as in "Where can I get one and how much does it cost?"

Feldman, the "artist" of her friend group, started the project during winter break after hearing about people designing shoes for college and figuring she could do the same. With time to kill -- her family took a super long road trip from New York to Florida -- she worked on designs for three different schools.

By the time she arrived at her grandparent's house in Boynton Beach, they were finished -- and she soon had a following. Since then, she's designed about a dozen pairs and is busy finishing several pairs so her friends have them in time for College Commitment Day on Monday, May 1.

"I never thought I'd find a way to turn what I love into a way to earn money but I have to say, this has been so much fun so far," she said. "I love that I can combine my art with entrepreneurialism. 

"I guess you never know what can happen until you create it."

For more information, follow Feldman's sneaker designs on Instagram at @CuttheBS2017.

For inquiries about sneaker designs and apparel, email cutthebs2017@gmail.com. 

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