About Me
Hi, I'm Alex, a footwear design graduate from De Montfort University.
My passion for footwear design comes from my interests into fashion and the diverse nature of the industry. I am fascinated by the possibilities and the future of footwear and how it is growing and continually breaking the cultural and commercial boundaries of the footwear industry.
Travelling across the world I have gathered numerous experiences and understandings into the world of footwear. Born in Toronto but having spent the majority of my youth in Hong Kong, I learned a great deal in accepting and welcoming cultural differences and embraced diversity throughout my young adolescence. I believe this helped me develop a deeper passion and love for footwear and fashion as it gave me a better perspective of the unlimited possibilities which I could apply my creativity in during my time at De Montfort University.
INSPIRATION
The Philosophy of Wabi Sabi
The philosophy of my project titled "Impermanence" focused on the harmony of different art forms and traditional techniques all within the philosophy of wabi sabi. Influenced by the acceptance of imperfection and transience, challenged the cultural and beauty standards of western society. The principles of my collection aimed at understanding how to reconstruct and reconfigure my understanding of design.
By breaking down the smooth edges and straight lines and accepting the jagged layers and unpolished finishes I began to research into the art forms of wabi sabi. Kintsugi - the mastery of mending broken pottery with gold lacquer, accompanied by the traditional craft of boro and sashiko two techniques of mending textiles and used fabrics repurposing them to become garments and bedding, engraving them into my design philosophy.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
Neo-Femme - NEO - MLOW [Render and Breakdown]
Neo-Femme - NEO - EML [Render and Breakdown]
Neo-Femme - NEO - TWM/SC [Render and Breakdown]
Neo-Femme - Inspirations
Neo-Femme - Design Development
Neo-Femme - Experimentation
Cordwainers - The Abstraction of Wabi Sabi
Cordwainers - Influences to Sole Unit Design
Cordwainers - Final Render & Tech Pack
Cordwainers - Final Collection
Cordwainers - Prototype
New Balance - 40th Anniversary
New Balance - Design Breakdown & Influences
New Balance - Tech Pack
Quagga Project - de Haaienschoen Render
Quagga Project - Design Development
Quagga Project - Tech Pack Midsole
DETAIL
Cyberpunk, the Metaverse and Femme Fashion
Cyberpunk is often characterised by the statement "high tech low life" where the advancements of technology are contrasted by the gradual decay of human society. From the bright glamour of the neon city scapes to the unattractive post-colonialist future of civilisation. My interest into cyberpunk, a popular sub-culture within science fiction, derived from the observations of today's society and how humanity's relationship with technology has moulded society to become increasingly similar to a dystopian world setting. Applying these aspects into the future woman, I wanted my collection to embody the qualities of diversity, difference, openness and individualism. I believe these qualities should represent the subversive and progressive nature of fashion. With the growth of the internet and the shift of consumer interests leaning towards the metaverse, I viewed this as an opportunity to explore what the future of consumerism could be without the need for physical products.
“The future is already here – it's just not evenly distributed." - William Gibson
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