Mix and match the endless possibilities with Sharon Golan’s Mr. Potato-esque DIY shoes.
When it comes to fashion, and sustainable fashion, shoes may be one of the worst offenders. Not only do shoe fashions change rapidly, but they also tend to wear out faster than our other articles of clothing. Shoe designers and producers have tried to find solutions to this ecological conundrum, with Nike introducing a shoe recycling program and other designers creating multi-functional and multi-fashion shoe designs. The solution, as Israeli designer Sharon Golan proves, does not have to be boring. Making a versatile, sustainable shoe that lasts longer and is lighter on the resources (due to its versatility) can be fun.
Enter Shell 256, Golan’s shoe design with a collection of 16 modular shoe components that can be combined and used to create 256 different variations of shoes.
Exhibited in Jerusalem a couple weeks ago, the shoes are a combination of four separate recycled plastic pieces that are held together with multi-colored silicone rubber bands. Any of the components can be changed.
Sometimes sustainability means not getting bored with the same old, same old, so Shell 256 definitely addresses that issue. (Maybe Golan should team up with the “New Dress a Day” blogger to form year-round fresh and sustainable outfits for the chic ecological woman.)
“The idea was you buy four pieces, this is the amount of pieces you need to create one shoe, ” says Golan. “But if you want to change your look, you can buy only one extra part and it changes the whole look of the shoes.”
“That gives you, the client, more options and it gives the industry, the company, the option to have you as a client all the time,” she pointed out.
Read more about eco-friendly shoes::
Nike to Introduce Shoe Recycling Program in Israel
Skins Footware is Skinny on the Resources
Plastic Bag Shoes and More Sustainable Design from Israel at Milan Design Week
Author: Karen Chernick
Much to the disappointment of her Moroccan grandmother, Karen became a vegetarian at the age of seven because of a heartfelt respect for other forms of life. She also began her journey to understand her surroundings and her impact on the environment. She even starting an elementary school Ecology Club and an environmental newsletter in the 3rd grade. (The proceeds of the newsletter went to non-profit environmental organizations, of course.) She now studies in New York. Karen can be reached at karen (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
Good concept. Poor execution.
Yep – hardly look wearable let alone walkable
what were they thinking ?
Agreed. And they’re not attractive. Hopefully the concept will lead to an improved design.
These look very uncomfortable. Such shoes would not support the feet well and could even lead to foot damage based on studies of the effect of shoes that are designed for fashion rather than walking comfort.