Kei Kodama Passionfruit remix on pink to purple gradient background

Tomko91/Shutterstock Dev Anglin (Licensed) remix by Caterina Cox

Custom sneakers artist Keia Kodama shares how she went full-time as a micro-influencer

'The sneaker community is a different world than just regular influencer work.'

 

Grace Stanley

Business

Posted on Dec 16, 2022   Updated on Jul 26, 2023, 5:47 pm CDT

Passionfruit

This story was originally published on Passionfruit.

We’re reaching out to some popular creators to get their best tips and tricks for success and better understand the ups and downs of life as a trailblazer on the internet.


This week, we spoke with Keia Kodama (@keiakodama), a custom sneakers artist and full-time micro-influencer with over 11,500 followers on Instagram.

Long-time fashion lover Kodama has been blogging on Instagram for years—posting style, shopping, art, and fashion content. Originally, Kodama told Passionfruit she approached Instagram creation as an opportunity to become a stylist. However, as her account progressed, she wanted to show a more creative side, and make something artistic “out of nothing.”

After making a content pivot in 2019, she caught the internet’s attention by showcasing unique custom sneaker content. Kodama’s most iconic content includes DIY cardboard remakes of sneakers, custom sneaker tutorials, or unique and artistic interpretations of custom sneakers—like her Black-hair-inspired custom Air Force 1s, dubbed “Hair Force 1s.” 


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*First Published: Dec 16, 2022, 1:37 pm CST