Architects love to dabble on projects of smaller scales, and now iconic architect Zaha Hadid is joining the ranks of architect-dabblers by announcing her foray into shoe design! The always provocative architect is someone we love to criticize here at Inhabitat for her obsessive formalism, but we must say that we are thrilled to see her burgeoning interest in sustainable design take the form of a partnership with Brazilian eco shoe design company Melissa.
We’ve written about
Melissa shoes on
numerous occasions before on Inhabitat, because we are huge fans of the Brazilian company’s commitment to the environment with their vegan, recyclable plastic materials, their socially responsible trade and labor practices, and their
cute and affordable designs, which make vegan shoes more palatable to eco-chic fashionistas. So despite any reluctance we may have to put this loopy red plastic shoe on our own foot, we are excited about the general direction that Zaha is going in here.
Zaha’s new shoes above one of her building designs – see a resemblance?
Famous (or infamous depending on your perspective) for her grand architectural gestures in form, Zaha Hadid isn’t really known for her commitment to practicality, comfort or usability. I would have to say that as far as I can tell, the new shoe design doesn’t fall far outside of Zaha’s signature style. The rubber shoes are certainly unusual and interesting from an aesthetic perspective, featuring recognizable Zaha-isms such as biologically inspired lines, cut-outs, and diagonally sloping straps. However, despite the ‘interesting’ aesthetics, they don’t look particularly practical or wearable to me. However, if you’re in the market for a pair of limited edition ‘work-of-art’ shoes that look like they were designed for the movie Alien, they can be found for £200 at the Dover Street Market in London starting September.
+ Zaha Hadid
Via NyMag via The Guardian
PVC IS NOT SUSTAINABLE!!! IT’S TOXIC AND CANCER CAUSING. SOOOO DISAPPOINTING THAT THIS IS MADE OF PVC.
I thought the Melissa shoes were made of a special hypoallergenic plastic, that was safe to wear – that there is a patent for. They are also recycable – where does it say their plastic is made of PVC on their website?
I have seen Melissa shoes in person, downtown Asheville and they are like the Jelly’s of the 80′s but softer and not smelly.