Created in partnership with Rakuten, brought together thousands of custom sneaker artists from across the US and Europe. With Rakuten’s support, the competition became one of the largest creator-driven sneaker showcases ever produced, giving emerging artists a platform on a global stage. From thousands of entries, just 100 creators were shortlisted by a world-class judging panel featuring leaders across sport, design, music, and sneaker culture. These Top 100 designs formed the Art of the Game Official Collection - a rare, curated snapshot of sneaker culture at its most innovative. The journey concluded in San Francisco, where the finalists were flown out for a filmed finale with the Judges. This finale marked a milestone moment: a celebration of creators, culture, and the evolution of custom sneakers as a legitimate art form. Now, for the first time ever, you can own a piece of this history. Each Top 100 sneaker - whether the original pair or a made-to-order version in your size - represents a creator who rose above thousands to earn their place in this landmark Rakuten x Stephen Curry series. This isn’t just a sneaker. It’s a piece of the Art of the Game legacy - and a chapter in the future of sneaker culture.
Rise Up
Product Details
My name is Christie, and when I was selected for the Top 100, I knew exactly which story I needed to share—because it’s not just mine. It belongs to anyone who has ever had to rise when life tried to keep them down.
Four years ago, at just 34, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. In an instant, everything I knew, everything I planned, shifted. But every single day since, I’ve made a choice—to stand up, to fight, and to keep showing up for my daughter, my husband, my family, and my friends. After finishing my first 12 rounds of chemo, I marked that battle with a phoenix tattoo on my arm: a symbol of rebirth, resilience, and the refusal to surrender. A reminder that no matter how many times this disease tries to push me down, I will rise.
And along this journey, I’ve witnessed incredible strength in others—people staring down devastating adversity and somehow finding the courage to get back up. They have inspired me just as much as I hope my fight inspires them.
These sneakers are dedicated to all of us who rise. The vibrant phoenix wings on the sides represent the fire within—the power to rebuild ourselves again and again. The deep black background symbolizes the darkness we confront, but not the place we stay. Lightning bolts flash across the design as the spark that ignites our spirit, the moment we decide, “I will rise again.” On the tongue, the words “Rise Up” serve as a daily challenge—a call to action to stand tall, to push forward, to keep believing. And the blue sock liner is a quiet reminder of the peace and clarity we strive for, even in the midst of the storm.
I hope when you look at these sneakers, you see more than a design. I hope you see strength, hope, and the promise that no matter what you’re facing, you can rise—higher, stronger, and brighter than before.
Read the full story of the artwork
This product has been made by the Creator previously and is part of their amazing portfolio. The Creator has listed this item as available to remade for clients.
Additional customisation elements may be available.
Own The Art. Wear The Story.
Discover the Top 100 sneakers from the CANVVS Global Competition - designs hand-picked by our judges from thousands of entries worldwide. Each pair is created by a rising creator pushing the boundaries of art, culture and sneaker design.
By owning one, you’re not just buying a sneaker - you’re supporting emerging talent, championing creativity, and wearing a piece of global competition history.
A HISTORIC COLLABORATION
