La Botte Laine
What shoes are you wearing? What do they say about you? Most shoes are made of plastics, leather, chemical dyes and glues. In other words: Your shoes end up in a landfill or water bodies and stay there forever. Worldwide consumption of shoes is growing. This system is less than a century old. Shoe components used to be made within local networks, at home or in small workshops, from materials found in the surroundings.
The “La Botte Laine” is part of the Footprint Project initiated by Henriette Waal↗ at Atelier LUMA↗. It aims to regenerate footwear ecosystems with a small ecological impact, introducing craft-digital techniques.
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The boot design is based on bio-materials and techniques found in the surroundings of Atelier LUMA, next to the Camargue wetlands. Each shoe component took shape in meetings with shoe experts, farmers and manufacturers.
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In the Camargue, the craft of shoe-making is upheld by the company La Botte Gardiane↗, which manufactures leather shoes. The design of La Botte Laine is based on the company’s skills and knowledge but rethinks the traditionally used material leather by using local sheep wool and natural latex in a contemporary context.
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The upper of the boot is made from 100% local sheep wool, robotically felted to create an unique pattern and afterwards wet-felted to make the shoe resistant and durable while still being soft and warm against the skin. Natural latex protects the wool from dirt and water, as well as serving as a durable shoe sole with grip. All parts of the boot are assembled without using glue, making use of local knowledge and skills.
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Client
Atelier LUMA↗
Part of the Footprint Project
initiated by Henriette Waal
Collaboration
La Botte Gardiane↗
Contributors
ARTISTIC DIRECTION Henriette Waal↗
PRODUCTION SUPPORT Matthieu Menard↗
ROBOTIC FELTING AATB↗
PHOTO/VIDEO Coltrane McDowell↗
SHOE SOLE Local Company, Natural Rubber
WOOL/FELTING TESTS Les Ateliers de la Bruyére↗
What shoes are you wearing? What do they say about you? Most shoes are made of plastics, leather, chemical dyes and glues. In other words: Your shoes end up in a landfill or water bodies and stay there forever. Worldwide consumption of shoes is growing. This system is less than a century old. Shoe components used to be made within local networks, at home or in small workshops, from materials found in the surroundings.
The “La Botte Laine” is part of the Footprint Project initiated by Henriette Waal↗ at Atelier LUMA↗. It aims to regenerate footwear ecosystems with a small ecological impact, introducing craft-digital techniques.
The boot design is based on bio-materials and techniques found in the surroundings of Atelier LUMA, next to the Camargue wetlands. Each shoe component took shape in meetings with shoe experts, farmers and manufacturers.
In the Camargue, the craft of shoe-making is upheld by the company La Botte Gardiane↗, which manufactures leather shoes. The design of La Botte Laine is based on the company’s skills and knowledge but rethinks the traditionally used material leather by using local sheep wool and natural latex in a contemporary context.
The upper of the boot is made from 100% local sheep wool, robotically felted to create an unique pattern and afterwards wet-felted to make the shoe resistant and durable while still being soft and warm against the skin. Natural latex protects the wool from dirt and water, as well as serving as a durable shoe sole with grip. All parts of the boot are assembled without using glue, making use of local knowledge and skills.
Client
Atelier LUMA↗
Part of the Footprint Project
initiated by Henriette Waal
Collaboration
La Botte Gardiane↗
Contributors
ARTISTIC DIRECTION Henriette Waal↗
PRODUCTION SUPPORT Matthieu Menard↗
ROBOTIC FELTING AATB↗
PHOTO/VIDEO Coltrane McDowell↗
SHOE SOLE Local Company, Natural Rubber
WOOL/FELTING TESTS Les Ateliers de la Bruyére↗