Cars, Kicks, & Culture

The event brought CEOs, athletes, creators, and designers together to celebrate the history of car and sneaker culture.

Cars, Kicks, & Culture
Eastern Market Shed 5
Sept. 18, 2025

By Akeel Ahmed

At Eastern Market after Dark, the Cars, Kicks, & Culture event presented by event and media company Foxxtecca, brought sneaker and gear heads together to appreciate art and style for the Detroit Month of Design.

A highlight of the event was a fireside chat with Global Chief Officer of Design at Stellanitis Ralph Gilles, BMX athlete Nigel Sylvester, digital creator Garrett Reed and sneaker designer Steven Smith.

Attendees also experienced racing simulators from Foxxtecca’s “The League” and exhibits that showcased the intertwining history of cars and sneakers.

Two men sit on a staged porch, smiling giving each other a handshake. — Grant Henderson (right) helped organize the event with Aaron Fields (left), who used his 1987 Buick Grand National for display. Photo credit: Akeel Ahmed

“We started in 1964 with the trucks, brought it to the 80s with the Jordan Breds and the GNX, then took it to the 90s with the Impala and the Air Force Ones, and then we took it to today with the Corvettes,” said event organizer Grant Henderson. “We really just wanted to create an immersive experience, bring these ideas, concepts, and lifestyles to life, and create that connective tissue with them.”

Two men examine a black race car with white lettering across the hood. — Lavar Scott, a NASCAR driver sponsored by Foxxtecca, takes down the window net to allow shoe designer Steven Smith to sit inside. Photo credit: Akeel Ahmed

The interior of a classic lowrider with blue paint, blue and white seats, and gold accents. — The interior of a customized 1963 Chevrolet Impala showcased in a Foxxtecca display, highlighting 1960s culture.

A person's lower half shows off their gold gym shoes in front of the gold rim of a classic low rider. — Samantha Furguson wears her Nike Vomero Fives that match the gold rims of the customized 1963 Chevrolet Impala brought in for the event. Photo credit: Akeel Ahmed

Cars highlighted at the event included a 1963 and 1996 Impala SS, a 1987 Buick Grand National, and several other American-made muscle cars that helped influence the culture.

1996 Impala SS owner Davonn Robinson said he wants to keep his car around long enough for his 7-year-old son, Ryker, to enjoy it.

A family of three poses in front of a classic car with grey/blue paint. — Davonn Robinson, his wife Janay, and son Ryker pose with his 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS. Photo credit: Akeel Ahmed

A man stands with his black classic car as basketball shoes are arranged to look like they are jumping over it. — Aaron Fields with his 1987 Buick Grand National, manufactured two years after Michael Jordan’s Bred Ones debuted and were banned by the NBA. Photo credit: Akeel Ahmed

A small crowd of people gathers around a wall of graffiti-style signatures. — Attendees look for a spot to make their mark on the Foxxtecca graffiti wall. Photo credit: Akeel Ahmed

“On behalf of the city, I am very grateful that Foxxtecca gave me the opportunity to host and entertain this crowd,” said event host Jamiersen Green. “All the details of getting the cars in here, all the details on the walls, and designs. All of the hard work doesn't go unnoticed.”