The Navigator
Shoes are used to help get from one place to the next. I wanted to create a sneaker that represents this journey of finding your way back home. Being from Florida, nothing captures the true nature of our environment like the Everglades. I wanted to represent this through the earthy printed fabric, evoking the feeling of the Florida Everglades. These shoes have embroidered scars on them to show the marks left from travel endured by the user on their journey.
Inspiration
Florida Everglades
Specifically, the top down view of the Everglades, which feels like a cluster of organic shapes, This unique terrain is home to one of the most diverse ecosystems in the northern hemisphere.Scars
Scars are permanent marks left on the body as it heals from damage. They come with stories of how they occurred and stay with you forever.Maps
They outline a journey and allow you to plan how you will navigate the terrain to reach your destination. The overview aspect of them gives the reader a sense of how to best navigate to their destination.Guides
Goals are often marked on maps, followed by lines that represent the journey. Our journeys often take unexpected twists and turns, making everyone's journey unique. Guides help motivate and lead us through our journey. These symbols are some of the most common in today's world as guides through life, the web and treasure.Undercover “Scab” 2003
This collection from Undercover is often seen as designer Jun Takahashi's most important collection, as he created all the garnments from upcycled fabric scraps and replicated human scabs with visible hand stitching, refrencing punk culture. His technique, paired with a deep storyline, inspired much of my textile work.Moodboard
Color palette based off of the Everglades environment with added darks to create a contrast in the print. Purple feels futuristic, so this touch helps bring out this theme of technology that is being brought out through the use of digital print fabric.
Techniques
Embroidery
Embroidery is an embelishment that involves multiple stitching techniques to create decorative imagery out of thread. The hand quality creates a unique visual language that differs depending on the audience.
Digital Printed Fabric
Digital printing on fabric has been a technology that has allowed creatives to immediately see their designs come to life to further the use of imagery. This spoke to me, as tangibility is important when creating a product.
Handsewing
Handsewing offers much more control over the stitch due to the nature of the hand control over the machine quality that we are used to. The intamacy with the fabric also makes the creation feel hand-sculpted, which is a large part of my process.
Sketches
Material Storytelling
Construction
Fitting
Final
The Navigator
Other Projects
Champion Work
Extra
One Piece x Puma
Adidas Creature Concept