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Designed by Vince Copier
In early March, half a year before the release, I received a newsletter from Aimé Leon Dore showcasing their new products. I browsed through and spotted the blanket available. Immediately, ideas to craft shoes from it started flowing, and I purchased the blanket. It was the last one, as it sold out thereafter. That very evening, I began working on designs and was incredibly eager to get started. I discussed my design with the team, and some adjustments were made thereafter.
Since I make shoes for myself in my free time, finding the right moment to start and continue the project can be a challenge. Hence, it took half a year to complete, haha.
But once I got started, I experienced decision stress. I wanted to make this shoe so cool, so I had to ponder thoroughly during the making process about what and how I wanted to do things. Eventually, this led to the addition of some details and a slight rearrangement of materials.
As I mentioned above, I purchased a fabric from Aimé Leon Dore, ALD. The main colors for the shoe were initially roughly determined by using a photo of the fabric. The predominant colors were green, brown, and bordeaux. However, I felt the colors were not exactly as I envisioned them. I kept the base color but searched for which materials we had in stock that still complemented each other well. The color combination that emerged is somewhat autumn-themed, which is quite fitting for the release date.
The fabric from ALD is much too thin to be used for shoemaking. It's essential to reinforce it on leather. I deliberately chose not to fold the fabric, allowing the orange accent color to remain visible. I found this to be a very cool detail.
For the back, I wanted to add text in a more classic form. I searched our embroidery software for a suitable font. Now, the back of the shoes sports the inscriptions Air Max & Vijz Bespokes. For the label on the tongue, I opted for a floral logo that refers to ALD.
The chosen sole was actually a suggestion from Tom ; the crepe sole with this design really completes it. Coincidentally, a crepe sole had recently been released with a matching green bubble.
Exploring the shoe's materials, the unique mudguard is crafted from an Aimé Leon Dore blanket, while the main body features a mix of nubuck in various shades, accentuated by a mint canvas quarter. The swoosh, made from patent leather with foam inside, creates a striking 3D effect. The Aimé Leon Dore fabric is layered onto vibrant orange suede, adding a subtle pop of color, and the tongue label features a floral logo nod to Aimé Leon Dore. Two embroideries, "Air Max" and "VIJZ Bespokes," adorn the shoe's rear. A crepe sole complements the air bubble's color. Throughout the design process, adjustments were made, resulting in a finished shoe that surpasses the initial vision. Crafting the patent swoosh and handling the delicate ALD fabric presented challenges, but meticulous techniques ensured durability, making this shoe a true masterpiece.
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VIJZ Béspokes