Twelve aspiring footwear designers arrive at Portland’s Pensole Footwear Design Academy to begin a grueling eight weeks of competition, with jobs at Adidas on the line. Split up into four teams of three, their first challenge is to reimagine the Adidas Superstar for actor Anthony Anderson. To connect with the contestants and learn more about the Pensole Sneaker Design Competition, visit LaceUp.tv

The teams will rely on their design skills as they merge two different worlds together. They are are asked to design a sneaker heel combo inspired by supermodel Ashley Graham and Grammy Award winning rapper Macklemore. As the tensions rise, one team member makes an unexpected early departure. To connect with the contestants and learn more about the Pensole Sneaker Design Competition, visit LaceUp.tv

With a new member joining the group, the four teams are tasked with redesigning the legendary Adidas Stan Smith for rapper Fetty Wap. They also collaborate with YouTube star Jesse Wellens to create a personalized hip-hop video to represent their kicks. To connect with the contestants and learn more about the Pensole Sneaker Design Competition, visit LaceUp.tv

The teams must customize the never before seen Dame 4-- the fourth signature shoe of NBA superstar Damian Lillard. But this unusual test of graphic and painting skills pushes several teams to the edge. To connect with the contestants and learn more about the Pensole Sneaker Design Competition, visit LaceUp.tv

“Fresh Off The Boat” author, restaurateur and sneakerhead, Eddie Huang, pays Pensole a visit. Each team has the grueling task of combining multiple sneakers into one shoe, using Eddie as their muse. The Hype comes up with an “outside-the-box” creation and must convince the judges they have the freshest kicks of the week. To connect with the contestants and learn more about the Pensole Sneaker Design Competition, visit LaceUp.tv

With actress Jamie Chung as their celebrity inspiration, the teams must create a futuristic running shoe using a special high-tech 4D outsole. Meanwhile, one designer struggles emotionally to deal with a family issue. To connect with the contestants and learn more about the Pensole Sneaker Design Competition, visit LaceUp.tv

In part one of the two-part season finale, teams learn their final challenge: create a signature shoe for NBA superstar James Harden. With pressure and tensions at an all-time high, the designers have just five days to present their first prototype to a focus group of high school kids, who all have some very strong opinions about their sneakers. To connect with the contestants and learn more about the Pensole Sneaker Design Competition, visit LaceUp.tv

In the season finale, the teams make final changes on their signature James Harden shoes, and produce a sneaker commercial to represent their designs. At presentation, one of the world’s best slam dunkers shows off the teams’ kicks. The winning team is chosen and then it’s off to Las Vegas to personally deliver their shoe to James Harden. To connect with the contestants and learn more about the Pensole Sneaker Design Competition, visit LaceUp.tv