Urban playground
Category: Footwear
Competitions: International
Urban Playground explores how childhood memories can be translated into contemporary leather accessories, transforming familiar objects and everyday rituals into refined products without losing their emotional authenticity. Rather than reproducing childhood literally, the collection captures the freedom, spontaneity and curiosity of play, reinterpreting them through craftsmanship, proportion and material research. Each object recalls a simple childhood gesture while remaining fully functional for contemporary life. This shoe is inspired by the carefree way children move between home, school and the playground, where rules constantly disappear and everyday objects become part of play. The design combines the elegance of a classic leather shoe with the openness and ease of a summer sandal, creating a hybrid silhouette that feels both familiar and unexpected. It represents the moment when formality gives way to freedom, without completely losing its identity. The open heel and cut-out upper make the shoe light and effortless, while the oversized square toe introduces a playful, almost toy-like proportion. Thin pastel leather laces recall the colourful strings used in childhood games, adding movement and interaction to the design. Every element encourages a more relaxed relationship between the body and the object, allowing the shoe to feel natural rather than restrictive. Crafted entirely from leather, the project celebrates the material’s ability to soften, age beautifully and accompany everyday use. Traditional leather craftsmanship is combined with a contemporary language that values comfort, durability and emotional connection. Within Urban Playground, this shoe becomes a symbol of growing up without abandoning the imagination of childhood. It transforms an everyday leather shoe into an object that invites play, movement and curiosity while maintaining the quality and longevity expected from contemporary leather craftsmanship.
