The 3D printed shoe collection by up-and-coming Czech designer, Pavla Podsedniková, was one of the highlights of the Design and Fashion Week in Prague this month, where top Czech and foreign fashion designers presented their work.
Podsedníková’s Instant Shoes 2 collection 3D printed on a Stratasys Objet500 Connex multi-material 3D Printer
The ‘Instant Shoe 2’ line exhibited at Designblok’13 as part of the fashion week boasted five pairs of multi-material 3D printed customized shoes, sculpted for a perfect fit from digital scans of the wearers’ feet. The collection mimics wedged boots, almost cocooning the feet, with a unique open front panel presenting both style and functionality in a single platform.
Printed using Stratasys’ unique multi-material 3D printing technology, the shoes combine both rigid and flexible materials to create ‘fit-for-purpose’ elements. The lighter gray exterior, 3D printed using a rigid opaque gray material (VeroGray), enabled Podsedníková to create the robust structure for both functionality and aesthetics. Combining this rigid material with a rubber-like black material (TangoBlack) without assembly allowed the designer to create a flexible third material for the soft inner sole, supporting the natural curves of the foot.
“The special thing about the unique multi-material 3D printing with the Objet Connex 3D Printer is that you can create a product with a number of different materials simultaneously in one job, without having to assemble them one-by-one. When it comes to design, this empowers us to go beyond the traditional boundaries set not only by other 3D printing technology, but also traditional manufacturing methods,” commented Podsedníková.
Moving from shoe consumer to shoe designer
The ‘Instant Shoe 2’ collection explores the possibilities of individual production of custom fit footwear, tailored to specific shoe sizes and the individual foot. The key motivation for this rests on the fact that the consumer benefits from the best fitting footwear and creative design.
With sales on her mind, Podsedniková aims to take this one step further and create a 3D library of her shoes, from which the public can select a design and have a pair 3D printed for a perfect fit.