London architect Julian Hakes has designed a pair of shoes with no foot plate.
Called Mojito, the design consists of a single piece that wraps around the wearer’s foot, forming support for the heel and ball.
The foot naturally forms a bridge between the two.
The product is made of carbon fibre, laminated with rubber on the side that touches the floor and leather on the side next to the skin.
Here’s some text from the designer:
–
One late summer night in the studio I was thinking about the design of shoes in general.
I wondered why there was the need for a foot plate in shoes such as high heels.
When I look at a foot print on sand it is very clear to see that the main force goes to the heel and ball.
With a high heel providing the heel is supported, even by standing on a wooden block the foot naturally ’spans’ the gap naturally, with bones and tendons.
The foot has its own inbuilt strength and support so why duplicate this. You would not have a jumper with rigid arms between elbow and wrist.
So this raised the question, if the design of a shoe was an evolution of the early sandal and how can new materials and design techniques provide new solution?
So I set to exploring this question in a similar way to how I would design a bridge, examining the forces and looking at the most simple, elegant yet poetic expression of the forces at play within the materials used.
With this approach I then set about wrapping my foot in tracing paper, then binding it up in masking tape and then drawings various geometries onto and over the form of my foot.
The next stage was rather dangerous as I had to cut the shape off my foot with a scalpel and not damage the pattern or my foot.
The design this produced is a single wrapped geometry which starts under the ball of the foot and then over the bridge, then sweeping down below the heel before then twisting back on itself to provide the support for the heel and ankle.
This form felt light and airy on the foot. So we called it the ‘Mojito’ as it was rather like a twist of lime skin.
The material choice is simple: The shoe is a laminate with Carbon fibre for the core which gives the shoe its spring and strength, leather on the foot side and rubber on the walking wearing side. 3 materials, each doing a specific job.
We are now in talks with specalist shoe fabricators in for the inital prototypes, a firm in Italy would be able to make the inner carbon fibre core and then I would love to get some fabulous furniture makers in High Wycombe to ’skin’ the shoe in leather as their stitching detailing is second to none.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:05 am
somewhere, dog poop eagerly awaits…
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:55 am
Awesome! I’d love to see someone wearing these. Any photos or even renderings, Julian?
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:25 am
Wonderful and intriguing concept. Really REALLY wondering if it can work though! What this product needs is photographs of an actual person wearing this shoe and walking around in it.
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:55 am
love it!!!!!
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:55 am
I’d like to see someone wearing it
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:58 am
THAT LOOKS SO UNCOMFORTABLE
it would also help demonstrate it on a foot
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:02 am
Oh, how insane-in-the-best-possible-way and how beautiful. I want, muchly.
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:07 am
That’s a very cool idea, but why doesn’t he have a photo where there’s an actual leg (foot) wearing the shoe. That would have supported his idea strongly. Now, we are left to think that it might or might not work in reality :/
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:19 am
So no renderings with the shoe on a foot?! OH COME ON!!!
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:34 am
no foot in there, very un-interesting
September 23rd, 2009 at 5:09 am
I’d like to see a picture with a foot in it.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:32 am
… or how can we create an even harder and unhealthy way for walk on high heels.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:37 am
Beautiful on all levels.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:40 am
just fits great in the line of all shoes thought of by architects before.
a shape hugging your foot.
not my favourite type of shoe.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:14 am
Why may I ask?
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:16 am
HAH Excellent!!!!
Much better than the one sculpted by ZAHAAAAA!!
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:46 am
I find the design very interesting, but why is there nowhere a foot in sight?
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:55 am
It would be insghtful to show a picture of someone wearing it!
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:01 am
Why not show it on a foot for example?
and wouldn’t the heel get scratched open in seconds?
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:03 am
Dear Mr Hakes.
I too enjoy some blue sky thinking in the studio late at night.
Perhaps we should collaborate one day and see if we can re-invent the wheel.
Lots of Love
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:18 am
I like it, but how does it look on somebody’s feet instead of these renders?
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:19 am
how difficult was it to get ONE shot with an actual foot in it??
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:37 am
This is interesting, clearly not a shoe for overweight people …but this will be a good workout, and train the feet muscles by wearing it. will reduce medical conditions like fallen arches (flat feet)… aldough i would not make a city run with them…. reminds me of the moebius Rem D. Koolhaas shoes (not the architekt) i like it! and would love to wear it!
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:29 am
no foot in the shoe..well..most architects like to photograph the building they did without furniture and or people in it..same case here..;-)
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 am
I want to see someone wearing Mojito shoes, Mojito spex and a Mojito hat, sitting in Mojito chair, drinking a Mojito and reading Mojo.
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:50 am
haha this is what happens to architects during a recession. A carbon fibre core seems slightly over the top for a shoe…
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:43 am
You all foot fetish ! ha ha
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Not for ugly feet
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Thanks for the comments and feedback, also foot in shoe pictures to follow. I made the original around an actual foot so there is no escaping the natural geometry.
More images here http://www.flickr.com/photos/hakesassociates/
Updates on design progress here http://twitter.com/JulianHakes
ps: (no dog poop on red carpets)
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:48 pm
If the shoe fits, then Mr Hakes you shall go to the ‘Young Cobblers of the Year Award’ ball. I love architects!
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Hi Julian,
It’s beautiful,… I have a structural criticism though.
I don’t know whether you’ve made a rough prototype in steel?
I think there’s a reason that point heels are under the centre of the heel; If you put the support to the left or right as you place your weight on the shoe you place a torque into the shoe. This needs to be reacted and the stiction between ball and leather may not be enough to react this. Good luck though, great to see an architect designing a really good shoe for once.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Lee Corbusier Says:
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 am
I want to see someone wearing Mojito shoes, Mojito spex and a Mojito hat, sitting in Mojito chair, drinking a Mojito and reading Mojo.
roflolcatzzzzzz that would be tragicity squared to the power of infinity.
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:04 pm
“no dog poop on red carpets”
and we say
“no ugly shoes on red carpets”
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Bagel, indeed would also need to be in the UN Studio Mobius House
Nick: Yes image is before latest physical mock ups to explore this point. It was harder to create the SLS 3D CAD file than model it for real. The new physical models are much more stable and the torsion issue is resolved – well spotted:)
Julian
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:27 pm
“ps: (no dog poop on red carpets)”
That is the most epic thing I’ve ever heard on Dezeen hahaha.
September 23rd, 2009 at 5:13 pm
this is a joke right?
September 23rd, 2009 at 5:24 pm
who cares if it hurts to wear – beautiful in concept and form!
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Beautiful, simply beautiful.
I can’t help but feel that I am staring at an artifact from the future.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Revolutionary shoe design. Like one of the commenters say it might be as revolutionary as the United Nude shoe Mobius by architect Rem D. Koolhaas. On the other hand it is far less practical and I would love to see some pictures of this shoe on the foot to understand it better.
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:06 pm
I think this is beautiful! Certainly an attention grabber, anxious to see it on a foot as well!
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:06 pm
PUT IT ON A PERSON!!!!!!!!! For crying out loud why do we [architects] want to create something that is void of mankind. A photograph with out a person makes a beautiful shot, a shoe with out a foot can be delightful, but with one it it does it function, does it embrace, does it create place. The industry has lost its focus and has become a mere glorification of ego. You are only as strong as the weakest member of your community.
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:44 pm
@ Lee Corbusier
at least your name is hilarious
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:59 pm
I can imagine how it works,
but I would love to “see” how it works!
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Beautiful shoe…but would love to see a foot in it, also can you walk in it as it has no toe spring?
great idea though!
September 24th, 2009 at 12:04 am
As a plantar fasciitis sufferer, I am in pain just looking at this. Foot plates are indeed very necessary. It’s a great idea and beautiful but if this was manufactured, feet problems would greatly increase.
September 24th, 2009 at 12:53 am
modular: because they have, and you haven’t.
September 24th, 2009 at 1:12 am
is there a photo of a person wearing the show?
September 24th, 2009 at 2:43 am
better than hadid’s!
September 24th, 2009 at 8:52 am
I would love to get some fabulous furniture makers in High Wycombe to ’skin’ the shoe in leather as their stitching detailing is second to none.
I live in High Wycombe. which Furniture maker do you refer to? Is it Stuart Linfords?
September 24th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Duno, what I would say If I saw my Woman wearing that
and how much she paid for.
Great job for Julian …thoughtful and different!
I think the shoe is perfectly designed for people with stinky legs, its best ventilation shoe i ever saw
September 24th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
now what about those people who need arch support?
September 24th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
excellent concept it’s a good example of now combining simple ideas with mes technogies you can achieve great designs good work
September 24th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
la chaussure est géniale
le pire, elle est super belle.
Je suppose qu’il s’agit d’un proto, quel dommage !
September 24th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
One of these days these boots (shoes) are gonna walk all over you…
September 24th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
I have absolutely no problem using my imagination to visualise my feet on those and I like what I see. Put me on the waiting list and make them in purple.
September 25th, 2009 at 3:16 am
waiting for the lawsuit when someone trips and falls down the stairs wearing that monstrosity.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:26 am
Amazing. Beautiful. Elegant.
This reminds me of fluid calligraphy, or a piece of fabric in a breeze.
Would you try your hand (foot) at a slightly butch-er variation for us design-obsessed men?
September 25th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Eric
The original is a flat version which comes in two wdiths. The wider looks great on my feet. Have a look here for the wider flat version.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hakesassociates/3640797523/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hakesassociates
http://twitter.com/JulianHakes
regards
Julian
September 26th, 2009 at 4:04 am
Hi, Julian
Stunning design! I’m convince this will become a classic in the near future. Keep up the good work!
M.V.
September 26th, 2009 at 4:41 am
Dude! If you’re going to present such an abstract shoe, you’ve got to show someone with their foot in it. Otherwise, it’s not a shoe, it’s a sculpture.
September 26th, 2009 at 5:34 am
I disagree with all of you who are searching for the lost foot. A ped stuck in the middle of this very creative design would obscure the overall flow of its structure. I agree with the comment about a piece of fabric in a breeze. If one looks at the various views prented you can “see” the foot and where it would rest. If not then I feel sorry for your lack of imagination. This layout is much better WITHOUT ugly toes in the way
Well done Julian. Hope some one brings this to market for you.
September 27th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I love something like this that opens up the whole idea of where a design can go. Absolutely wonderful!
September 27th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
This looks terribly uncomfortable..
and the part about not including a foot plate really freaks me out. I agree with Kate: what about normal people who do need arc support, and people with flat feet? The foot does seem to look to form a natural bridge but perhaps a podiatrist or two should be consulted before selling these things because it really cannot be good for your feet to put so much pressure on the heel and ball alone. In fact, it looks quite damaging. It’s a nice design in theory, but when it comes to something as important as heath and functionality, Design must take a back-seat. In my opinion, this is a lot of pending lawsuits…
September 27th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
I have such a shoe fetish, and I L-O-V-E these!!!
Put me on the waiting list!!
September 27th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
contemporary design is very far from reality! my concern is that we are living worst every day because of these egocentric fools, design matters!
September 28th, 2009 at 5:37 am
As Mr. Hakes has intimated, this is a shoe intended for the red carpet, and not for sprinting or for every day at the office. Functionality is not the utmost concern in this situation, as long as the shoe is wearable for photographs and for your acceptance speech – even at an after party, you could switch to your dancing shoes if need be.
I think it is a beautiful design as a piece of sculpture, and look forward to seeing it on a foot to see just how the curves work together.
September 28th, 2009 at 6:08 am
I Really love this concept! I hope they soon come to a store! I would love to own a pair!
September 28th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I love the idea of this shoe. I love the lines and shape, and the concept of it. Although, I AM a fan of architects designing things other than buildings. (Think Tiffany’s and Frank Gehry, a wonderful line, that I wish I could afford anything of.) They have a natural eye for aesthetics and just seem to know what looks good. These lines are going to look wonderful on a womans foot. The conceptual drawings themselves are beautiful, and you can easily see how a foot would fit right in there…. I think it’s beautiful.
September 28th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Rachel- I easily saw in the lines where the foot fit into the shoe. It may look like a sculpture, sure, but it is, it’s art, in the form of a wonderfully minimalist – and beautiful shoe. Maybe it’s just me, but as soon as I saw the photo above, I just knew how it fit on the foot, you can see the outline of a normal shoe in it, it just doesn’t have all the bells and whistles (straps, pumps, etc.) It’s the same lines, without all the unnecessary bulk.
I really didn’t find it that abstract. The lines of the foot, match, easily with the lines of the shoe. The shoe just wraps itself lightly around the foot….
September 28th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Beautiful…but you can’t discuss this type of anthropocentric design without showing it in use. Can I see a foot for scale please?
September 29th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I would love to see an image of someone wearing it. is that possible?
can u render a pic with someone wearing it pls? thanks.
September 29th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
I love it. Would get the shoes immediately. Let me know when and where to buy.
September 30th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
for girls that are good on tip toes?…, i like to try a pair… i really like the idea of revealing the natural arch, almost like wrapping a foot in ribbon, very soft and light, nice.
September 30th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
The first thing that crossed my mind when I first saw the image was: hmm, why do people design shoes that will hurt the foot and r hard to be worn. But as I read on the explanation of how it works, I’m very curious about how it’d feel to wear one! I think it’s very cool and unique! Excellent job!
September 30th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
hello, here is an architetct, wonderful, just like a chair with a “please dont touch” sign on it, this shoe is one of the most beautiful one, BUT it is not wearable, no wonder, there is no pic in action provided.
suckers. dont blame ze architects, blame ze system….
September 30th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Kristen
thanks for comments you are spot on.
Best regards
Julian
September 30th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Interesting concept but no foot, no street cred (pun sort of intended).
October 1st, 2009 at 8:05 am
Very interesting that lots of people want to see the shoe on a foot. I made the originals on my own feet and then following prototypes on a combination of plaster castings we made from the feet and also modular wooden foot lasts. We also have a 3d foot for working up the geometry in A variety of cad programmes.
The geometry is inescapable from the natural form and dynamic of the foot..
My starting point for this and a few other designs is that everything about shoes seemed to be immediatley reduced to the visual and my feeling is this process had led to the shoe becoming stale and more about this seasons colour, fabric and number of straps / height of heel.
The design of this mojito shoe is about how you put it on and take it off, it’s about lightness and a sculptural celebration of the foot and the natural strength of the body.
I felt the best way to show this is the naked shoe.
Actually the best way to really appreciate and understand the design is to try them on. So watch this space as they say and updates will be published here and on Julian Hakes on Twitter.
Regards and thanks once again for great support and feedback.
Julian.
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:04 am
Most perfect shoe desing I have seen!
I bet one could do a running shoe with this same idea.
It would be like springs under your feet.
October 10th, 2009 at 5:31 am
Are these being sold anywhere? I NEED a pair in the worst (or best) possible way!
October 11th, 2009 at 11:42 am
we would love to have a look at your catolouges(shoes)we may be interested (price important)to deal.if you can please email me .thank you
October 13th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Whoah.
At last, someone whose idea of innovation in shoe design does not mean ‘add another inch or 2 to heel and/or platform, include more straps, randomly attach expensive and/or industrial looking flotsam’
They look like they will fit like footgloves, especially with the reasonable height of the heel.
put me on the list – any colour will do. These shoes are MAJOR.
October 17th, 2009 at 12:44 am
I want that shoe! It is beautiful, elegant and makes a statement. Please advise when this is available.
October 18th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
hi
If i would like to buy this shoes where i do find for this shoes
Thanks you
October 20th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
I LOVE this shoe. I WANT this shoe. Actually… I NEED This shoe!!! I’m in Australia, please tell me where and when I can have one!!!!!
October 24th, 2009 at 9:13 am
hello
why do’nt you tell me what price it is?
i want this shoe
October 27th, 2009 at 10:47 am
The one sweap line to create the concept i get, but I wonder how well it will support the ankle, the stress on the heel, pressure of weight above – that is the secret of a good shoe! carbon fire not the softest of materials to walk on?
Only woman (well ok some men too) know about walking on high heels!
October 31st, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Babak and Sabrina
udates and development news on the mojito shoe will be posted here:
http://twitter.com/JulianHakes
Also expect web site http://www.mojitoshoes.com to be updated and ready soon along with some sneak previews of a new shoe concept ready for summer.
many thanks for all the great feedback
Julian
November 14th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
does it means that we must wait until summer before we can buy them?
November 14th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
How much cost they???? :O I want to buy
December 16th, 2009 at 6:17 am
What about arch support?
December 19th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
I love the design, the lines, all very beautiful and sensual. BUT HOW DOES IT LOOK AND FIT ON A FOOT? I have searched the net look’g for one photo of this creatively and painstakingly designed shoe, a shoe like no other and all I see is the shoe. Is it a shoe or just an artist sculpture designed to be photographed up, down, left, right, and from above footless. Kinda stupid don’t ja think? You put all that thought and time in design’g this movement to be worn, only now you want us, the public, the potential buyers to use our imaginations to figure how the damn thing looks on an actual, live, living foot. Job well done. Not.
December 19th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Addendum: Did I mention I love this shoe. I think I’ll become a woman now just so I can wear this work of art.
January 1st, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Form really not following function!
January 1st, 2010 at 8:51 pm
I really, really want to see one for sale! I would like to buy one for a friend of mine! Lol! This one has an exquisite design! Although not much functionality and perhaps a lot less durability but it’s design really is awesome!
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:03 pm
where can i get those ?!
January 4th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
What a fluke! Still no picture or evidence on how the shoes work on a real foot!
January 5th, 2010 at 4:54 am
Wow! Interesting shoe design.
This is what you call a MINIMALIST design.
January 6th, 2010 at 3:37 am
as a designer/artist and former master craftsman shoemaker (Ars Sutorio in Milano and my own design/mfg house….) I am IN!
you are the next wave…but remember
all women “walk fast/run” in whatever they have on…the test of a “good” shoe
paz y luz
January 7th, 2010 at 6:47 am
i love the design in every possible way….its simple and creative at once. it will work!
January 7th, 2010 at 8:39 am
I am afraid to say that this shoe would not hold onto the foot. The foot would simply twist out of the shoe. If you want a working interesting sculptural shoe try http://www.marloestenbhomer.com
January 7th, 2010 at 11:39 am
Thanks for all your comments and feedback guys.
The design works just fine and we are well underway with testing and tooling. We have lots of prototypes in the studio in London and we are in detailed talks with a number of larger scale fabricators to prepare for formal launch.
The models and people on the team who have tried the mojito shoe say its like walking on air as they are so cool and light on the foot, only supporting the parts needed.
Keep your eye out for the Tyra Banks show in early 2010 as she will be featuring the Julian Hakes Mojito on her show – also Forbes have picked up on the story of the mojito, in particular about the links between architecture / engineering and fashion design – this is expected in Feb.
Updates and news will be initially fed through http://www.twitter/julianhakes
best regards for 2010 to Dezeen readers and the team at Dezeen
Julian
http://www.twitter/julianhakes
http://www.mojitoshoes.com
January 9th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Hmmm.. Just a thought.. it could be made into an elegant sculptural chair as well..
January 27th, 2010 at 7:29 am
I also second what’s been said
would love to SEE IT ON A FOOT, since it’s a shoe.
Design is neat, but please post photos ON A FOOT.