plastic (notso) fantastic

Just discovered the website rise above plastics and was impressed with their to the point promo video. I remember the first time I saw a programme about the huge areas of ocean just covered in plastics which have been dumped and being utterly shocked. This reminded me instantly of that and I do feel a bit sick watching it, but all the more determined that something has to be done about plastics use in products (and their afterlife).

petrifun

Artist Klari Reis' "Daily Dish" - Hand painted epoxy polymer petri dishes "explore our complicated relationship with today's biotechnological industry." How beautiful is the top one - such a sucker for anything painted, and a bit blurry/nature looking. via notcot

ecopack

I've been trying to decide about the packaging for my products for some time and always find it interesting to see examples where people think outside of the box (haha..) and which take into account sustainability. Interesting to see this student project posted on core77 which redesigns the coke bottle. Smart suggestions for improvement especially with the shipping and recycling side of things, and I kinda like it. Although the pammy is pretty iconic, I think it's great people are starting to rethink product packaging for really mass-consumed items like coke.

Earthkeepers 2.0

Just discovered the Timberland Earthkeepers 2.0 products which are a really interesting example of more sustainable shoe design in a commercial mass-production context. One of the most wearable product offerings in the "green" category that I've seen, and whilst not 100% cradle to cradle, still really interesting to see how a company with the muscle to be developing stuff like this is really doing it. And also how they're communicating it to the consumer. Seems the industry is moving in this general direction. So I'm on the right track!

lost in a point cloud

still working out how to model the bits I need..

Jimmy Choo award

I'm ridiculously happy to be able to say I have won the Jimmy Choo award for footwear in the final year category and £1000 towards my project. This will help me so much in making the components for my shoes as well as some welcome recognition for what I'm trying to create. I'm excited and glad to have that boost to keep me pushing through this next month and do the best I can do. Woooohoooo!!!!

piece of crap?

another dubious "green" creation...shoes made from elephant poo. yum.
via ecoterre

time to evolve

The past two weeks have been busy and also a bit disheartening as I've been trying to model shoe parts in a CAD programme and come up with all kinds of unforseen problems. My project is based around me designing my own shoe construction process which will allow me to create a product which is more ecologically sound, yet still an avante-guard and luxury product. I see this as the foundation of what will one day hopefully be my brand, and what will define me in the marketplace. For the initial concept collection I have four silhouettes in my range; a wedge, a heel and platform, a brogue and a trainer. Possibly a mid height in there later if I have time. But I essentially have to design a new construction process for each silhouette. This ultimately means I have to design and make my own components for each construction. Which is a lot tricker and more time-consuming than I thought. And I'm now running out of time. I'm currently trying to work out a new approach for creating them and a plan b so that I at least have prototypes for my degree.

"Success is when preparation & planning meet opportunity & guts!"

Last week I attended two sessions as part of the LCF First Move programme. First Move is for selected students to give you an extra push to network with industry and basically increase your industry contact in final year. The sessions were with Kubi Springer, founder of Sisterhood TV which is "a multimedia company dedicated to celebrating and inspiring today's global women who are: Bold, Beautiful & Empowered - women who dare to reach their goals and achieve!"

The Sessions were a two part workshop called "I am my brand" with Kubi - a bit of a mouthy PR guru who's run marketing campaigns for L'Oreal, Nike, MTV, Puff Daddy and was the youngest head of Marketing and Brand Development for the MOBO's at just 26. What was great about Kubi and the sessions was that it cut the crap and just got down to the nitty gritty of what you need to do to survive and actually flourish in what is a really competitive industry. We practised networking, looked at all aspects of how to successfully and seamlessly communicate (be it CV, presenting yourself, your portfolio/website..) and looked at how you might go about actually making some money. I thought the sessions were great and Kubi made it funny, interesting and actually really useful.

I wonder how they did that sole unit..

Balenciaga sandals on jak & jil

IOMmmmmmm

So I went to the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining last week which was exciting and inspirational. The institute holds both a reference library and library of physical material samples which I and a friend were very kindly allowed into, and where you can look at and touch materials ("but wash your hands if you touch any goos!"). Apart from finding all sorts of exciting materials there was a whole host of sample products including an F1 carbon fibre nose cone, kevlar army jacket, the new D30 intelligent cushioning point ballet shoe and all sorts of other delights. I left feeling mega inspired, with a whole host of new project ideas and feeling really grateful to have visited the resources and very helpful IOM3 technical advisor (many thanks!).

Springdom

Just came across this painting in a post on Kingdom of Style about Naum Gabo a music production partnership and it reminded me of spring and one of my favourite artists Cy Twombly..glad the sun is finally putting in an appearance..