This is a shoe. A high heeled one. Really!

It took me a few minutes to figure out how this is, first, a shoe; and second, how it's a high heeled style. It wasn't shown with a foot actually in it and that nearly broke my brain. Once I realised it wasn't meant to be wrapped around the ankle or manipulated in any way to fit the shape of the foot, I could see that the ball of the foot goes on the flat part in the front, and the heel sits on that little ledge with the back and side panel. Seems so obvious when I describe it that way.

So what is it? It's the Mojito, a prototype made by Julian Hakes, a British architect who wanted to challenge our perception that shoes should look a certain way. "Most shoes are designed from the outside in - they are designed to look good on the foot," says Hakes. "'As an architect I did the opposite and designed them from the inside out - I looked at how the foot moves, how it transfers the body's load. For me, it wasn't much different from designing a bridge." I bet it was quicker, though.

The first thing we notice is there is no foot plate. The shoe supports only the ball and heel which Hakes says is perfectly functional and makes the wearer feel like she's walking on air. It protects the ball and the heel, "that's where the load is transferred when you walk."

The final design is made of carbon fibre, leather and rubber - are you also wondering how the heel of the shoe supports the heel of the foot and whether that's good for it? Not to worry. Hakes says "It's not artificially supporting your foot where it doesn't need support so it's good for core stability." I believe it but I'd love to see it. Better yet - take a pair for a little trot around the house.

There are currently no plans to mass produce the shoe but Hakes is making them on a one-off basis to meet individual requests. Too bad, it would be a nice change to the chunky, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink styles dominating right now. (I'm not complaining, I love those. Just sayin'. Contrast is good.)

Source: The Daily Mail

 

Comments

[WendyB]

I wear those to go jogging.

[Retro Chick]

I just find them confusing. Life is complicated enough without being this confused by your footwear surely!

[Jennifer]

I love the colors and indeed they are visually appealing, but as a daughter of an architect, I would never wear anything my Dad's designed for fashion. I'll let him do my house. I would actually leave them out as art.

[Denise @ Swelle]

Wendy - that's a great visual, I'd like to see you work up a sweat in those!

Retro Chick - I know, I kind of got angry when I was trying to figure them out, I thought it was pretentious not to show one on a foot!

Jennifer - Ha! I'd rather wear something made by your dad than mine!

Denise ♥

[Lauren]

I would wear them but at what price?

[S.N. Carpeaux]

Those are crazy amazing. I completely appreciate the design...and they're going up on my blog, too!

[Denise @ Swelle]

Lauren - is that a philosophical question? Ha, well, I think the message is that if you have to ask... No, they didn't say. I'm sure that anything created by an architect is likely to come at an astronomical price.

S.N. - They are cool, aren't they? It does raise an interesting question about needing the foot plate and what the foot really needs. Especially as I can count on one hand the number of comfortable shoes I have owned in my lifetime!

Denise ♥

[alexandra keller]

i sold shoes for several years, so i culd tell right away how the foot fit into the shoe....but really, will it stay on?!?!? comfort isn't necessarily and issue - women wear high heels that aren't comfortable all the time. but put these on a real woman in a real city and watch her hail a cab or walk to the train. or even better, what happens when it rains???

[Reanna]

"Pooooosht!" That is the sound of my mind blowing.

[Miss Nightingale]

Incredible! Would like to see them displayed on a foot or, even better, (as you say) try walking in them myself. I can't get my mind around the fact that the middle of the foot isn't supported. Very interesting, though.

[julian hakes]

Greetings from London.

Thanks for the post and comments guys. Update: Our latest prototypes are now with a major brand / manufacturer for testing and getting ready for launch.

The real ones are looking really great. People who have tried them say its walking on air. The Mojito design is very light and efficient yet surprisingly strong and stable. They are also very cool and comfortable on the foot.

regards
Julian