Most Americans typically associate 4th of July celebrations with food and fireworks, but for those attending yesterday's "Red, White and Brews" event for the newly launched pop culture website SEEN in New York City, the day will likely be remembered for its footwear as well.


Hosted by etnies, Mishka and the newly-launched SEEN culture Web site, the party contributed to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund with a a Live Art Stage featuring Tara McPherson, Molly Crabapple, Khary Randolf and others, plus a gallery of 20 donated pairs of custom etnies sneakers bearing the art of Eric Powell, Aya Kakeda, Lisa Hanawalt, Kevin Colden, Jill Thompson, David Mack, Becky Cloonan, Declan Shalvey, Will Sliney, Khary Randolf, and Crabapple.

It's been years since I admitted to myself that I was horrible at skateboarding, but seeing these custom kicks makes me slightly more willing to wreck myself in front of the kids at my local skate park. At least my shoes would look rad. See designs by Kakeda, Colden, Mack and Thompson after the jump.