Julian Hakes: The New Architect of Shoe Design

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Julian Hakes:  reinventing shoe design

the original Mojito shoe


Julian Hakes has a deeply rooted past in design and innovation. His ‘Mojito” shoe concept was first seen on Dezeen, a award winning magazine that features influential architecture and design with over 3 million visits monthly. 

This is a original prototype for a shoe, is so virtually stunning and consisted of carbon fiber laminated with rubber on the outer shell and leather of the inside of the shoe.


Meline Katchi of INdustrie Footwear:  

Trying  on the infamous Hakes Shoe at MAgic: Las Vegas


  Here, I am again, Meline Katchi, trying on the mojito shoe, I mean, aesthetically you can't even compare it to the makings of a typical shoe.  The design is unreal and stunning, it almost seems to gently cup your foot, without squeezing it (as we experience in most high heel shoes). The mot interesting aspect of this shoe is that it doesn't have the formal "metal" or "carbon fiber" shank inserted between the heel and the forefront. Quite impressive. 


Julian Hakes, London:  

FN Platform: MAgic MARKET WEEK, Las Vegas 2013




JULIAN HAKES , New boots exposed:

FN PLATFORM: MAGIC MARKET WEEK, LAS VEGAS 2013




Meline Katchi (Industrie Footwear) Julian Hakes 

FN platform: Magic Market Week, Las Vegas 2013


As soon as design and shoe lovers saw the concept for the Mojito shoe, Mr. Hakes creation went viral and he became a sensation overnight.
Julian's past as a professional architect focusing in bridge design made him well equipped to join the Footwear Industrie.

As you may know by now, I am obsessed with anything shoe related and a huge fan of Julian Hakes. 
I was able to meet  the charismatic Mr .Hakes and at his assistance,  try on the Mojito’s at WWD Magic Market Week, as part of FN Platform. 
As you can see by the picture, his enthusiasm is uber contagious, as  he is making me crack up while I was trying to interview him for the story.   He definitely deserves the success, as his fantastic personality, skill in design and knack for even doing most of his own marketing at FN Platform as part of the British Invasion Sector of designers is astonishing.




JULIAN HAKES , London:

FN PLATFORM: MAGIC MARKET WEEK, LAS VEGAS 2013



Click on the image to watch:

 revealing insider concepts of the shoe 



Image source: Julianhakes.com

 JULIAN HAKES, London:

winner of the drapers footwear award 2012 




JULIAN HAKES Spread the love

FN PLATFORM: MAGIC MARKET WEEK, LAS VEGAS 2013


 The shoes come in a HUGE variety of bold colors, as well as one that looks like it was literally stamped out of a gorgeous walnut wood. It was admirable how much work and effort he put into making this concept into a real product we can now purchase internationally.
I love how when you connect the two shoes together and they make a artistic looking heart. This is possible because of the unusual design of removing the traditional 'shank' of a high heel shoe and reinforcing the pressure points, such as the forefront of the shoe (where the ball of the foot rests) and the heel of the shoe. Regardless of what you may think, these shoes are definitely comfortable and walkable, they literally allow your feet to  just rest in them. Three cheers to Julian Hakes. Industrie Footwear approved.

Shoe Making 101: The Last One Left In All of Great Britain

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Spring line precision last makers

POINTE - TOE LAST  WITH 7 + INCH HEEL

Source: Industrie Footwear , UK

Shoe making is a art form on is own and one of the last companies to manufacture shoe lasts (the mold on which shoes are made) Is Spring Line, Precision Last Manufacturers, Northampton, UK.

They are literally the last company in all of  Britain, where a amazingly skilled staff creates Bespoke hand crafted wooden models and converts them into durable plastic lasts in a variety of sizes and fittings.

SHOE MAKING :101

lastmaking:101

Source: Industrie Footwear, UK


Their last styles range from the most bespoke avant-garde pointe toe shapes to very traditional almond toe shaped flats.
I had the opportunity of visiting Springline with my lovely sister and we had a amazing time consulting with the last makers and looking through all of the files.

                           

Mr. Last Maker Carves away:

Northhapton, UK

Source: Springline, UK

Since they never name drop name drop, I will name a few very British Heritage brands they make lasts for including: Jimmy Choo, POLLINI, Cheany, John Spencer (Antique Collection), Alan McAfee, St Michael from Marks & Spencer, Authentic Grenson, GC , Ducker & son Oxfords...just to name a few.



Nicholas Kirkwood Launches His Men's Line FA/Winter 2013

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Men's Debut:

studded with style 2013

Courtesy Nicholas Kirkwood


I cant begin to explain my excitement when I saw one of my favorite British Designer's of all time Nicholas Kirkwood, launch the most amazing men's footwear collection I have seen in ages. 
MR. Kirkwood gave us the first glimpse into his collection by showcasing at London Collections , organized by the British Fashion Council. His line really resonates a upbeat luxurious feeing with tailored and bespoke craftsmanship. 

MEN'S DEBUT:

NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD
Retailers are going to be crawling all over this line, because I hve honestly never seen anything like it! There is a unique shoe for any type of man here. The  quality and the variety is stunning, but there is a strong theme of updating traditional styles with cheary coolored zigzag prints juxtaposed with rich dark leathers. As you turn your head you see a pair of bright cherry patent leather hightop boots with white soles and electric blue trim.

MEN'S au/winter 2013 DEBUT:

NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD


The proportions, stitching and attention to detail reveals the fact that they are handcrafted in Italy. There are six main styles of shoe with a variety of 21 delicious flavors. This line will convert any man into a shoe collector, if they aren't already...

MEN'S variety DEBUT:

We originally know Nicholas Kirkwood for his amazing nique work in women's Fashion footwear and his tradeamrk of using a backwards platform.  From one cobbler to another, you have inspired me, to the extent that I am now at London College of Fashion/ Cordwainer's.  

MARLOESTENBHOMER

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Beigefoldedshoe / 2009
Materials: Vegetable tanned leather and stainless steel heel
Beigefoldedshoe is made from a single piece of folded leather and stainless steel heel construction. 

Redmâchéshoe / 2003  
Image source: MARLOESTENBHÖMER™
Materials: Stainless steel and leather
The MARLOESTENBHÖMER™ leather-mâché technique is a leather laminating technique, which abolishes the use of a shoe upper pattern and allows for a varied wall thickness of the shoe. Redmâchéshoe uses rather big sheets of leather, defining the heel and abstracting the toe. The heel is a reinforced sheet of leather, attached to the side of the shoe curving down underneath the heel of the foot.

I went through Drapers and Footwear News by Conde Nast, apparently they are more focused on continually giving awards to Footwear designers who are already Rich and Famous...Let's think of the selective few designers who are trying to really create something new and change the way we perceive shoe design. While it was wonderful to award the shoe designers who are legends, I think These powerful sources should really invest in the new up and coming designers in the footwear industry... (I.E graduating masters students who have invested their entire educational career in trying to enhance the footwear market through more innovative & creative avenues)
That being said:
Linking what you see? You can thank MARLOESTENBHÖMER™. 
I honestly spend hours surfing the web, looking for creative 'non commerical' shoes that can truly make you say," Wow, Who the F*** make those??" This is as unique as it gets. Marloes really is pushing shoe making out of its traditional roots and merging  fabrication techniques we would never even dream of incorporating with footwear construction. I really admire people like Marloes, who do not create to be commercial and receive the instant gratification from someones else's purchase. She is what I would call, 'A designers, Designer'. 
Take a closer look at the construction and techniques she uses. Combing Stainless steel with leather by using mâché-like laminating technique.

Visually stunning. Definitely Katchi approved. 

Costume Illustrations for Lady Gaga 2013' : By Meline Katchi

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Here is a snapshot from my personal sketchbook.  These were drawn for the Lady Gaga costume design contest..It's rumored that Giorgio Armani is going to be collaborating with and designing her costumes for the upcoming tour.. If anybody is feeling creative, they can join in and take out their art supplies..cause she is definitely picking at least one winner from her Little Monsters website.
Good luck..

Meline Katchi SS 2011 Sandals

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