Initial Research : Footwear Designer

 Beginning with my initial research, I will be talking about 3 designers from whom I am inspired a lot and will be looking at their work for my major project in this term. 3 designer whom I am talking about are Alex Witty, Steven Smith and Nathan Van Hook. These designers have a unique way to express their art work which is shoe with different colour and concept. In this following term I will be making sliders inspired by the unique soles by the respected designer mentioned above although before designing I will be heading towards some of the research describing more about the designers and their work. Additionally, which of their outwork I might modify and made better in the perspective of slides.

Alex Witty (Compounded Shoe)

Compound - Heritage 01 - Founders Edition 

Moving on to my first research which is about Tyre, I am looking at Compound Footwear, Heritage 01 - designed by the founder Alex Witty. The footwear sole is made by tyre which gave the sole a better durability and grip. Although for my design even I will be using tyre in future for durability and grip purposes but I will also get benefited with the fact that tyres are sustainable and profitable by their prices. From Alex Witty's point of view his prime purpose was sustainability and targeting individuals seeking environmental friendly faction without downsizing  on aesthetics or quality; for which I will be aiming same but less in terms of sustainability. “Alex Witty, the 25-year-old founder of Compound Footwear, has designed a range of sneakers which use some of the 600,000 motorsport tyres which reach the end of their use every season.The range of sneakers combines tyre rubber with recycled natural rubber to create the soles.” (University of Brighton, 2023)

Steven Smith

 Steven Smith with Kanye West 

Moving on to Steven Smith, Behind every iconic shoe there are two name Tinker Hat field and Steven Smith although  Steven has worked with multiple brands and started his carrier with New Balance. Currently is is working on Yeezy Silhouettes with Kanye West. Steven helped Kanye bring new ideas and aesthetics to yeezy with their duo collaboration with Wave Runner 700, released in  2017.(Šeda, 2021)

 Adidas  Yeezy Boost 700 Wave Runner

Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 Wave Runner, one of the pairs by the duo collaboration I am most inspired with. Moreover, the chunky sole with boost and  stiff midsole makes it more better and reliable."The Yeezy 700 is, without a doubt, one of the comfiest sneakers I’ve ever worn. Of course, the comfort comes from the full-length Boost sole. I would say the Yeezy 700 V1 is a lot more rigid than the Yeezy Boost 350 V2. Although, the V1 does feel more comfortable the more you wear them".(Kuek, 2022) . After watching over the review how much the genZ likes it I would be planning to restyle these pair of shoes into an slider with chunky and comfortable shoe.

Nathan Van Hook

Nathan Van Hook

Lastly, Nathan Van Hook also known for Air Yeezy 2 and Monclers head of footwear design. He is specially focused on outdoor footwear with some extra ordinary impression shoe. Nathans Van Hooks work is something i had looked last term for its comfortable and chunky shoe design but I did not talked about, so I will be talking about Nathan Van Hooks design in this term.  

Moncler's Trailgrip Sneaker

The shoe above, is  Trailgrip sneaker with some outstanding design work on the outsole has inspired me alot. The Carbon Fiber and EVA midsole works really nice on these shoes which acts as flexible and light weight to the shoe providing comfort and stability.  "Epitomizing utilitarian luxury, the Trailgrip’s distinctive rugged design and assemblage of world-leading technical fabrications ensures ultimate traction, comfort, and protection for the trail ahead". ( Oliviera, 2023)

After researching more about this shoe I visualized to design an slider inspired with the outsole of Monclear Trialgrip Sneaker with some modification. Additionally, I will be planning to use tyre as a material for the outsole for the slider to make it more slip resistance and extra grip. Overall, making my this design as an outdoor hiking slippers with proper comfort and cushioning. 

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Reference :

University of Brighton (2023), ‘Brighton graduate launches sustainable footwear made from Formula 1 tyres’, University of Brighton News, [Online] Available at: https://www.brighton.ac.uk/news/2023/brighton-graduate-launches-sustainable-footwear-made-from-formula-1-tyres#:~:text=Alex%20Witty%2C%20the%2025%2Dyear,rubber%20to%20create%20the%20soles (Accessed: 20 January 2024).

 Šeda, A. (2021). Steven Smith – ‘Dad of the dad shoe’. [online] FTSHP blog. Available at: https://www.footshop.eu/blog/steven-smith-dad-of-the-dad-shoe-3/ [Accessed 22 Jan. 2024].

Kuek, L.-A. (2022). How Do Yeezy 700s fit? Your Ultimate Sizing, Fit and Styling Guide. [online] www.farfetch.com. Available at: https://www.farfetch.com/style-guide/how-to/yeezy-700-sizing-and-fit-guide/?v=07cb9e3f-5c22-463d-bda2-8b44ca2d3045 [Accessed 22 Jan. 2024].

Oliviera, T. (2023). Moncler Releases a New Season of Its Trailgrip Sneakers | SENATUS Magazine. [online] SENATUS. Available at: https://senatus.net/article/moncler-releases-new-season-its-trailgrip-sneakers/ [Accessed 22 Jan. 2024].