All Grown Up

• Lead Designer
  Deborah Kiwi
• Photo credit
  Shay Ben-efraim
• Prize
  Winner in RECYCLED MATERIALS
• Expertise
  Independent

These vibrant pumps are an exercise in repurposing kids shoes. Children outgrow their footwear crazy fast. But unlike clothes, shoes are rarely passed down. Seeing these colorful, but discarded items pile up in my own home, activated me to collect and transform these, still appealing items. Slowing down the life cycle of our wardrobe. This footwear is created from (size 32) sport shoes and sandals. After disassembly, the pattern pieces are restored, altered and reconfigured to become a unique piece. Turning it into a colorful reminder of a much loved object. This is the first pair in a series.

Bio
Specializing in unconventional footwear, shoe designer and maker Deborah Kiwi, aims to blur the lines between art and design. Viewing footwear as an extension of the body, her work explores shape and proportion while addressing themes such as culture, gender and sustainability. With a background in Industrial Design, Deborah transitioned to the artisan craft of shoemaking, creating work that is both thoughtful and thought-provoking.

Other prizes
Global Footwear Awards 2023 Winner - Category Sustainability Global Footwear Awards 2023 Winner - Special Awards Artist footwear Global Footwear Awards 2022 Overall Winner - Category Special Awards Global Footwear Awards 2022 Category Winner - Category Special Awards Global Footwear Awards 2021 Winner - Category Artistic Footwear Global Footwear Awards 2021 Honorable Mention - Category Artistic Footwear