The ADUMU JUMPERS
Category: Footwear
Competitions: Africa
DESCRIPTION: The Adumu 'Jumpers' a two in one shoe designed for the believers who dare to take a giant leap of faith; soaring through life and conquering the world. As the name suggests 'Adumu' is a Maasai cultural practice where the warriors jump high in the air. The Adumu is typically performed during the Eunoto ceremony as a rite of passage and as a way of warriors to demonstrate their prowess and courage. It's more than just a name it is designed meticulously for the gentleman who dares to soar higher and achieve greater heights. DESIGN: A lot of factors come to consideration when coming up with the design as far as functionality and style are concerned. By understanding the human movement and postures the Adumu Jumpers aims at providing better cushioning which improves human mobility. CONTEMPORARY DESIGN: Men have been known to own very few pairs of shoes that are practical over a period of time, style not being put into consideration. However the modern gentleman does not shy from being experimental with style and expressing himself through fashion. This shoe is made with the modern gentleman in consideration who dares to go the extra mile, strives to explore the impossibilities to reach greater heights. The Adumu jumpers is more than just a shoe for the modern gentleman, its a lifestyle; each step you take reveals a new horizon, a display of strength and agility for the Adumu champion that you are! 'Buy 2 get one free' is a phrase all consumers want to hear when purchasing an item. Most of us if not all have purchased an item during a give away; its in human nature. When creating a concept i figured why not get two pairs from a single pair; where you get to interchange the uppers; such a bargain right? Through this you can get an option of a high-top or a low cut sneaker to go with your mood and how you feel. This gives your shoe more longevity as you get to interchange the uppers reducing more wear. MATERIALS USED: UPPERS: 1. LEATHER For the uppers I went for the cow leather for its durability in nature and also it offers flexibility. Cow leather is also available in a large number of style and colors. Its beauty is how it character also changes with wear giving the shoe a premium look which is aesthetically pleasing. 2. UP-CYCLED DENIM I infused the use of denim to give the shoe a more chic look. While its important to note that denim is well known for its elasticity nature which is crucial to our design as its meant of offer more comfort and flexibility that eases mobility. The denim i use is mainly up-cycled and this is part of the #beatwastepollution campaign that I advocate for. In Kenya approximately 37 million tonnes of junk clothing disguised as second hand clothing "mitumba" is dumped annually which most are unsellable due to damage or poor quality or are leftover after sales becoming waste. The waste is often disposed of improperly contributing to environmental pollution this is by either burning which releases toxic fumes and dumping which leads to contamination of soil and water sources like the Nairobi River which is a health hazard even to marine life. I carefully handpick the denim to ensure there is minimal wastage while also putting into consideration only the best parts go into making the shoe, this way we get to slice the price tag of a similar pair (in this category) significantly as we cut cost in materials used for manufacturing. MID-SOLE: This is the section of the shoe that determines comfort, shock absorption and energy return. It is crucial to pick the right material as this is one of the essential consideration when choosing a shoe. I used a compressed EVA foam which is a lightweight molded cushioning which offers maximum comfort. OUT-SOLE: The out-sole is meant to offer traction, grip and durability as well. The rubber out-sole i went for provides just that especially in high wear areas because of its soft nature and elasticity. This ensures you have the perfect grip without compromising on looks because of its stylish sporty appearance. OTHER COMPONENTS: INSOLES: Footwear has been designed for ages to fulfill a range of purposes and one of them being worn as a protective tool for the feet. It is for this reason the Adumu Jumpers boasts of having one of the most comfortable insoles made of EVA with extra padding for comfort and moisture control. When you put on the Adumu jumpers I want you to feel 'Engais' protection, the energy of our ancestors, their struggles, culture and heritage. LINING: Soft leather is known for its inherent breathable, odor controlling, moisture wicking and temperature regulating properties while also being the most natural choice for shoe lining and also fuse it with knitted textiles. ZIPPERS: To interchange the upper. Interchangeable uppers mean one gets to embrace spontaneity whether you're feeling the low cut sneakers or the high top. It gives you the freedom of being your true authentic self; the true Adumu champion spirit. With this power you get to maximize your full potential. MAASAI BEADS: These are pieces of ornaments worn by the maasai community that were multicolored; each color and the pattern represents symbolism that's deeply rooted in their culture. I used these decorations for aesthetic purpose to give the shoe more oomph while still honoring the maasai culture and heritage. I strapped the maasai beads at the back strap of the shoe as a decorative piece but also its sole purpose was to seal out the joint formed at the detachable base.
