Rethinking High fashion shoes - Kristel Peters
January 2013 - August 2015 Shoe-designer Kristel Peters works since 2012 on her project ‘ Rethinking High Fashion Shoes’ for KASK, School of Arts of HoGent. A research for Cradle-to-Cradle inspired methods as solution for designing and creating a sustainable high fashion shoe. After four years of research she now has a concept and prototype. Making this shoe ready for production and sale is a whole new challenge that Kristel is currently looking into.
I had the privilege to help her for two years with her research on material, technique and design aspects. Now the project is finished and I like to show you the results. We looked into:
While producing shoes waste is created, during production but also after the shoe is no longer wanted by the user. Kristel wanted to solve this problem as well. The final design is made of a 3D printed base and an upper that can be altered. For 3D printing you only use the material that is needed to make the product, there is no left over. Altering the upper makes it possible for the user to change her shoe and therefore wear it longer. Challenges
1.Engineering the model ‘Alice’ in such a way it is ergonomic, strong and uses materials that do not harm human or environment. 3D printing the base saves material and the shape allows it to be easily disassembled, but the material that needs to be strong and flexible is not yet recyclable. 2.Kristel decided to work with leather as this material can be shaped easily and did not need lining, which makes it as a mono material easier to recycle. Finding an alternative for leather that is fashionable, biodegradable or recyclable, non-toxic, within budget is difficult. Kristel believes in Mycelium as a substitute for leather and will continue to experiment with this material. 3. Setting up a business model that fits within the circular economy in which there is a good balance between local work and global distribution of a modular shoe. The base construction can be printed worldwide. The upper can be assembled locally with local materials, techniques and looks. Who is Kristel Peters? Photo's from Kristel Peters
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