Fragmented Structure
Category: Footwear
Competitions: International
Fragmentation is explored through the idea of material failure and repair. Broken ceramic vessels show how structure can come from separation instead of continuity. Through repair methods like Kintsugi, cracks become both functional and visible parts of the object. This research looks at how fragmentation can be translated into footwear construction, not just as decoration, but as part of the structure itself. Leather scraps are used as a primary material, referencing waste and discarded fragments. By working with offcuts that are often considered unusable, the design reinforces the idea of revaluing what is normally seen as waste. The design process follows a similar approach. Instead of relying heavily on sketches, the form is briefly outlined and then developed directly in three dimensions through sculpting. This method is intentionally chosen to allow spontaneity and instinct to guide the process. The form is shaped on the last, with structure and pattern defined on the physical object, allowing the design to develop through making rather than drawing.
