United Nude x 3D Systems: re-inventing shoes

Footwear brand United Nude has enlisted a group of architects and designers to create a collection of sculpted shoes made entirely on a 3D printer, which had debut at Salone Del Mobile 2015. Teaming up with 3D Systems Corporation, as well as Zaha Hadid, Ben van Berkel, Fernando Romero, Ross Lovegrove and Michael Young, United Nude have produced five pairs of directional high-heeled styles, designed to push the boundaries of conventional shoe making. Each pair has been 3D-printed over the course of 24 hours using two different materials; hard nylon for the soles and the softer and more flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for the upper. An architectural influence runs throughout the range, drawing inspiration from fossilised sea creatures, flames and the structural formation by which a shoe is shaped around the foot. You can follow the project on social media using hashtag #ReinventingShoes.

MICHAEL YOUNG

BEN VAN BERKEL

ROSS LOVELASIE

ZAHA HADID

FERNANDO ROMERO