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The Coventry sculptor turning trainers into works of art

Melicka Ghafouri A trainer which has been designed into an ambulanceMelicka Ghafouri
The 'Airforce 111' has flashing lights, moving wheels and tiny side mirrors

A sculpture artist who turns trainers into everything from ambulances to apartment blocks has racked up more than 40m views on TikTok and Instagram.

Melicka Ghafouri, 21, can spend up to 300 hours creating a project in her studio at home in Coventry.

Since turning her passion into a full-time job, she has created designs for YouTubers and exhibited in Paris.

She has custom designed more than 100 pairs of trainers including some for US rapper Iann Dior and Yungblud.

Melicka said she received messages daily from people celebrating her work.

"I really am grateful that I have an audience that supports me," she said.

Melicka has blonde hair and is wearing a pink hoodie. She is sitting in front of a shelf with her artwork
Melicka Ghafouri painted her first pair of trainers at the age of 15

She taught herself how to paint on trainers by watching YouTube videos and purchasing a starter pack of leather paint.

"I just liked the idea of people wearing my art - I thought 'maybe I can work hard and make it a living,'" she said.

She turned a Nike Airforce 1 trainer into a model of an ambulance, named 'Airforce 111', with flashing lights, moving wheels and tiny side mirrors.

Videos documenting the creation of the ambulance model went viral as Melicka drilled into the shoes and attached a speaker inside which plays a siren sound.

Melicka painted and used a drill on the trainer to create the mini ambulance

Some commenters questioned why she was making it - others mocked her use of power tools as a woman.

"It was the first time I got hate, but I really enjoyed it because it means it was being seen by different people," she said.

An Airforce 1 trainer that is painted purple and pink in the shape of a brain
Melicka's 'Mibraine' trainers were exhibited in Paris at Galerie Sakura

One of Melicka's first designs, called Mibraine, was featured in an exhibition at the Galerie Sakura in Paris.

She flew to Paris after the exhibition to buy back her work because she realised how personal the piece was.

Melicka studied economics at the University College London (UCL) before leaving her course to fulfil her dreams as an artist.

A yellow Adidas trainer which has been redesigned and taken apart
Her sculpture 'Dim' shows how Melicka felt "suffocated" at the time

She turned a trainer into a multi-storey apartment block for London brand Notwoways, which was founded by YouTube star Callum McGinley, also known as Callux.

The project, called Sole Storey, features a swimming pool, a 'zen' garden with plants and stairs to each floor inside the Notwoways shoe box.

Melicka Ghafouri A model of a multi-storey apartment made out of a shoe box and trainersMelicka Ghafouri
Melicka created a multi-storey apartment for the sneaker brand Notwoways
Melicka Ghafouri A swimming pool at the top of the apartment model which features an animation figure called OkkiMelicka Ghafouri
The apartment features a swimming pool with a figure called Okki

In the future, Melicka plans to work with more brands to create marketing campaigns and sculptures for stores.

She also hopes to open pop-up shops around the UK to sell her clothing designs and meet people.

"The fact I get to make art for people who really love it and have such great conversations with people who wear my work is really nice."

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