ABOUT THE RESEARCH

After having worked in the commercial footwear industry for many years, I started questioning why we make shoes such a complex product. The footwear industry generally uses materials sourced from all around the world, in which price plays the most important role. We look for the cheapest materials and labour, to sell shoes for an affordable price. This means that sometimes the material is purchased in one country, shipped to another country to stitch the upper and then send to yet another county to add the sole to it. Moving all these components around the world requires a lot of transportation and CO2 emissions. It was during my time at Loints of Holland that I realised it is also possible to source materials within Europe. For my master's research, I am exploring the possible to prioritize the health of our feet and environment by using local resources instead.

For research I approached craftspeople with various specialities. I visited their workplaces to understand their craft and get an insight into the materials and techniques that they work with. Based on these insights I made prototypes of shoes, which I then used as conversation pieces.

I collaborated with a basketry artist, taxidermists, traditional tanners (bushcraft), but also with material designers that work with human hair as a raw material. My role in this is to translate the material and techniques to a final product.

My goal is to inspire footwear professionals for a systemic change in the industry through experimental studies, collaborating with crafts people and material designers.