The shoes were designed by Zulu Kuki, in collaboration with Balena. The shoes are 3D printed, fully biodegradable and modular. This allowed the individual parts to gain different colours and add variety to the overall design.
Balena specialises in working on innovative materials. Its experts have developed a material with the rather mysterious sounding name BioCir®flex3D. This material is high-performance and biodegradable.
Zulu Kuki’s new design was created using this material. 3D printed shoes are still a novelty. Previously, single-colour models were created, but this time, thanks to a modular design, it has been possible to create a shoe with a varied and customisable appearance, making it possible to adapt the shoe to different needs.
The aesthetics of the shoes draw inspiration from the automotive world, in particular the sleek lines and functional elements of 1970s racing cars such as the Porsche 935. This influence is evident in the air intake-like elements and the dynamic form.
Unlike typical mono shoes, which are often characterised by a single, uniform design, the design of Zulu Kuki’s new shoes separates the traditional upper and sock elements from the more futuristic elements. The shoes in the new convention offer the possibility to interchange the sole and sock, adapting the look to the occasion.
Working with Zulu Kuki was an amazing experience for us. Seeing our BioCir®flex3D material come to life again, this time with Zulu Kuki, a visionary designer, really showed the potential of sustainable innovation in the fashion industry. His creative approach and commitment to pushing boundaries fits perfectly with our mission to revolutionise material science. It’s exciting to see how our material, with its unique combination of flexibility, durability and biodegradability, can be a key enabler to create footwear that is not only beautiful and functional, but also waste-free, ” concludes David Roubach, CEO and founder of the Balena brand.
You can read our interview with designer Zulu Kuki by clicking HERE.
source: Zulu Kuki x Balena
Also read: technology | detail | curiosities | minimalism | whiteMAD on Instagram
