Shoe experiments, Issey Miyake
A range of concept shoes was created as both a design exploration, and to inspire commercial collection. The shoes represented the brand’s values through its extreme shape. Some ideas were eventually translated into a commercial line.
Coral shoe
The design was inspired by the smooth, curved surfaces of coral reef. Intention was here to test the 3D printing technique for strength and wearability. The challenge was design appropriate feet attachment.
Construction
The shoes were printed with FDM printer. The straps were designed to slip through the wedge openings and comfortably tighten around the foot.
Highrise shoe
The design was inspired by architecture and highrise buildings, intended to look like a skyscraper.
Construction
Built around the last shape, the design maintains the technical requirements of a shoe, as well as real architectural elements of skyscrapers.
Prototyping
Modelling and fitting was done after an initial 3D scan of the last shape and real feet. The design combines hard Nylon with flexible and soft TPU upper. The result was wearable architectural shoe.
Ice shoe & Issey Miyake shoe
One concept, two successful commercial shoes
Once concept two shoes
Creating one concept resulted in two separate, commercially successful shoes.
Issey Miyake
The idea of a wooden base with diagonal cutouts and leather straps attached to the wedge was used for a successful first collaboration with Issey Miyake. This success resulted in further commercial lines introduced by both brands.
Press
Both Issey Miyake and the Ice shoe got a great coverage in the design community.
Francis Bitonti X UN
A digital parametric artist collaborated with UN to create a computer generated lightweight shape as a wedge with a low ankle bootie. The final design included a heel zipper and the upper was made of embossed stingray-embossed leather.
Design
The design was based on Bintonti’s jewelry line which shared the same amorphous, natural shapes and unique patterns.
Prototyping
The wedge was printed in Nylon - strong enough to provide support for walking. All reachable surfaces were polished and were electroplated with a thin layer of metal, for both protection and the gold polished look.
Press
Francis’s shoe got a good amount of coverage in the design community.
Role
Design, 3D art
Credits
Creative direction, design lead — Rem D Koolhaas
Designers — Ruth Bettles, Francis Bitonti, Issey Miyake
Design, 3D art
Credits
Creative direction, design lead — Rem D Koolhaas
Designers — Ruth Bettles, Francis Bitonti, Issey Miyake