Israeli designer Hadas Ilani makes unique shoes out of pine needles!
We absolutely love these awesome elven shoes called Needle and Thread by Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design student Hadas Ilani. Displayed at Ventura Lambrate during Milan Design Week 2012 as part of the academy’s “Design Bonanza” installation, the shoes are made out of locally-sourced pine needles and depict a combination of playfulness and respect for nature, as well as an incredible attention to detail.
The young Israeli designer, who currently resides in North Korea, had to learn how to transform the pine needles, which are quite fragile, into a material that is strong enough to use as shoes.
In order to do that, she experimented with a variety of sewing techniques before settling for a relatively simple stitch. Each shoe is different. Some have what look like laces in the front, while others have sweeping heels that would make any elf proud.
We haven’t actually tried one of Ilani’s shoes on, but we can’t imagine that they are very comfortable. Still, how can you go wrong? The material she chose is completely renewable and the design is totally unique. Anyone who dons a pair of these will be the talk of the town.
After Milan, the shoes already are.
:: Designboom
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