MARLA MARCHANT

The project was inspired by traditional craftsmanship and how it embodies the hand and the mind of the people who create it. Craftsmanship requires passion to sacrice time and eort and dedication to mastering technical skills, by which it becomes something very personal. It is a testimony to the beauty and inheritance of the traditions, being one of the duties that still remain with its distinguishing trait of being passed down through familial generations. Nowadays, the calibre of quality and details in traditional handcrafting is rarely seen.
The concept persuades the creation of a contemporary image that invites us to visit the past to glimpse the future by modernising traditional techniques and accessing the latest technologies using alternative materials.
The approach of the project rejects the uniformity and repetitiveness of mass production, where the imperfection of the handcrafted products is usually thought of as a failure. The pieces state a particular point of view and conception of craftsmanship to introduce new components, unusual materials and experimental process to come up with innovative techniques and solutions.
The main theme of the collection is weaving, where fabric manufacturing has been rethought as semi translucent volumes that shapes or build high heels and uppers. The concept of the collection was infenced by architecture and the rst inspiration came from Buckminster Fuller and his principle of tension and compression of the structures.
However, the main inuence was Gaudi's experimental method in designing the surfaces of La Sagrada Familia. That was used to develop the experimental 3-D graphics patterns and conceptual pieces.
The design process started by developing experimental pieces, leading to unique and visually provocative products that overcome traditional footwear. The collection amalgamate 3d printing, woven patterns, traditional craft manufacturing and new element by experimental process and techniques.
The aesthetic enhances a weightlessness body, creating the illusion of hanging from a net, tying the feet down and bearing the netting into a three dimensionality. While the body’s expression appears to be restricted, seemingly fragile and light from a podium that empowers it.