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MASTERCLASS

PORTLANDपोर्टलँड

PENSOLE

VIBRAM + W HOTEL

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017

2017

In February 2017 I got the opportunity to be part of a Masterclass and learn FOOTWEAR + COLOUR MATERIAL Design from the best in the footwear industry at PENSOLE Academy in Portland.

CONTEXT

PENSOLE

PORTLAND

Contemporary aesthetics of the W.

CHEF ISABELLA WILLIAMS

THE STORY

A shoe for the chef of the W hotel.

Gourmet chef

Works in LA, Hollywood

Inspired by Ballet as a child.

Born and raised in London

process

GRACE IN MOVEMENT

Since Isabella was inspired by Ballet as a child, I studied the movement to translate this story.

THE PROBLEMS

Along with telling a story, the footwear also needed to solve certain problems for the user. So I analysed the problems faced by a chef in a commercial kitchen.

SPILLAGE GETS STUCK IN THE SOLE

SLIPPERY SURFACES

EXCESS HEAT

SPILLAGE OF FOOD

LACK OF GOOD GRIP

Highlighting movement constraints inside the kitchen.

TRANSLATE STORY TO SHOE

Taking these two aspects into consideration - of telling a story while solving a problem, I went on to ideate the profile and outsole.

mockups

MOCKUP VALIDATION

Having seen the results of ideating with mockups before,
I went on to make quick tape-ups to validate the chosen design.

DEFINING THE COLOURS AND MATERIALS

After a visit to the W hotel, I created a colour and materials board inspired by the vibrant nightlife and aesthetics of the hotel.

VIBRAM XS WORK

ARIAPRENE 2MM AP REV

+ ATF 060
+ DUOPEL MEMBRANE

+ RPAW91

MICRO - FIBER

ARIAPRENE PRO + RPAW91

TIRNEINA NUBUCK

THE STORY

The shoe aims to tell the story the chef who pursued her dream of becoming an executive chef of the W hotel.

The side view takes inspiration from the fluidity in movement of ballet.

final design

THE UPPER

The mid top silhouette provides better angle support while still maintaining a low ground profile.The lateral quarter sign allows roll-over for the foot, while the straps are fastened by Velcro.

TOOLING + SOLE

The Vibram outsole is designed to push the liquids in the outward direction .

If something gets stuck in the sole, the large grooves make it very easy to bend the sole and remove the particles.

THE W AESTHETIC

Along with the functionality of the chef footwear, the design is representative of the W hotel aesthetic as well.

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