Imagine being able to grow your own footwear.
Yep, we are talking sprouting a pair of bio sneakers in a matter of hours! Footwear designer @23_heels over on Instagram has a concept that takes a page out of nature, specifically the rapid growth of mushroom mycelium.
In like manner, the shoe aesthetic bears a striking resemblance to its source of inspiration. The 3D formal elements and application of texture, all mimic that of the mushroom. Check out the kicks!
The Grow Kit
His concept is basically a kit that contains a clamshell pre-form foot mold and combination inner last/packaging which holds the organic growth ingredients. We’re not exactly privy to @23_heels’ manufacturing intention or material selections, but he looks to be making use of thermo-forming processes. Also growing the shoe using bioprocesses, replaces the current trend of additive manufacturing to produce highly organic shapes.
Steps To Growing A Shoe
Let’s have a look at his process boards for a high-level step-by-step of growing the MyCell Shoe. Compared to traditional shoemaking processes growing a MyCell, in theory, is pretty straight forward. The notion is that, well, its like growing a plant. Keep in mind under the right conditions mushrooms grow at a rapid rate and so would these shoes.
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