A graduate from Tama Art University’s design department, SATSUKI OHATA is a freelance designer currently based in Tokyo. His ‘Fondue Slipper’ project, recently displayed at Milano Salone Satellite 2014, caught my attention not just by ‘the look’, but mainly by the daring concept that it promotes.
Pay attention, because this project is interesting for several reasons.
Firstly, it challenges the traditional style of shoe making. Satsuki Ohata wanted to design absolutely new footwear, easy to produce and perfectly matching with wearer’s foot. Secondly – proposing a DIY formula, the designer involves the customer, inventing a technique which can be easily performed at home. How it works? You just dip your foot into a liquid and dry it. The idea was inspired by Swiss cuisine (because the production process is similar to cheese fondue).
As a result, the shoe looks like a second skin, it’s easy to wash clean after use, it is designed to wear both inside and outside (it can also be used as slipper by folding the heel).
After all, the concept is smart, easy, fun, creative. And it also leaves room for customization and further improvements.
Of course, what we have here is just a prototype, made out of PVC. The right material is under developing, as Satsuki Ohata aims to develop a kit which allows anybody to fabric his/her own Fondue Slipper at home. We love the idea and support him in this creative adventure!