London-based designer Ancuta Sarca has been causing a commotion on Instagram with her one-off kitten heel mule and slingback sandals incorporating Nike logo and design elements.
A graduate of Art and Design University of Cluj Napoca in Romania, Sarca says the shoes are meant to question the parameters of athletic design. In an exchange with i-D she explained, “I wanted to place to trainers in a different landscape and giving them a completely new function, elegant and feminine by pushing the boundaries of what they can become.”
On why she chose to focus on Nike, she noted, “I always loved the aesthetics, it has a huge role in sportswear history and the logo looks rather funny and unexpected on heels.”
While the always controversial sneaker and shoe hybrid has been touched on by multiple designers over the years, in Sarca’s case the use of recycled materials adds a new angle that resonates during a time when environmentally sound practices have become more prevalent in fashion.
Check out Ancuta Sarca’s designs below. If you’re interested in owning a pair, you can DM her on Instagram.
