Sarah Gwee, a 19-year-old, captures first place in the Design Your Sneaker competition with her inspirational design, ‘No Rain, No Rainbows.’
At the recent Sneaker Con SEA, held on February 22 and 23 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, 19-year-old Sarah Gwee was awarded first place in the Design Your Sneaker competition, an event organized by Sneaker Con SEA 2025 and SPH Media. Despite not having any formal art education, Gwee’s innovative design, titled “No Rain, No Rainbows,” successfully outshined 182 other participants.
The competition, which welcomed submissions from individuals aged 16 to 25 who were subscribers of The Straits Times, focused on originality and creativity, allowing participants the freedom to express themselves without any thematic constraints. Gwee’s design features a vibrant, dripping rainbow that spans half the sneaker, alongside the uplifting words “no rain” and “no rainbows” inscribed on the midsole. Her vision aims to inspire individuals to persevere through challenges, emphasizing that overcoming struggles can lead to a brighter future.
Gwee explained her motivation by referencing the popular expression “no pain, no gain,” frequently mentioned by her family. In an interview, she stated, “I wanted to do what I could to support them. No matter how stressful school gets, things will get better.” The concept of using “rain” instead of “pain” serves to evoke a less intimidating reminder of life’s challenges, making it more relatable for students.
Throughout the design process, which she executed using her iPad, Gwee made several improvements based on feedback from her brothers, adjusting the positioning of words, colors, and drawings. She incorporated symbols such as equations and scientific instruments, representing the diverse experiences and abilities of students.
The winner was determined through public voting held from February 8 to 16 and scores from a panel of five judges, resulting in Gwee being among the top three finalists before ultimately securing first place. She received a cash prize of $3,000 and a pair of limited-edition sneakers during the award ceremony.
The competition not only recognized Gwee’s creativity but also celebrated the talents of other participants. The second place was awarded to 24-year-old Nur Rasyiqah Zil Husham, who won $2,000, while 17-year-old Cherie Kok took home $1,000 for her third-place design. Both winners also received pairs of limited-edition sneakers.
In addition to the winners, three voters were randomly selected to receive $500 in vouchers for their participation in the voting process, selecting from the top 20 entries.
Commenting on the event’s success, a spokesperson for O4X, the company behind Sneaker Con SEA, remarked, “The Design Your Sneaker contest was a powerful showcase of the next generation’s creativity. We were blown away by the students’ imagination and artistry – each design told a unique story and pushed the boundaries of sneaker culture.” Mr. Sim Hong Huat, the Head of Radio at SPH Media, also expressed enthusiasm for the talent displayed, noting that the judging process was both exciting and challenging due to the originality of all the entries.
The event demonstrated not only the skills and creativity of young designers but also highlighted the cultural significance of sneaker design as an artistic expression within the youth community.
Source: Noah Wire Services
