Designer Heron Preston has teamed up with Brooklyn-based Zellerfeld Design Studio to create a 3D-printed sneaker silhouetted dubbed HERON01. The shoe can be printed in standard sizes and can be custom fitted to any foot using an iPhone for a foot scan. The elimination of toxic glues and materials makes the shoe fully recyclable, which Zellerfeld performs in a closed loop system that turns old shoe material into new shoes.
With design input by Daniel Bailey aka Mr. Bailey, a London-based product designer, the shoe’s upper features printed scales and textures mimicking the feet of a Heron, the label’s mascot. Meanwhile the shoe’s is rooted in the shape of the bird’s claw.
Commenting on the effort, Preston stated, “The HERON01 is just the beginning, with additive manufacturing the potential is unlimited. I was able to design and print functional and evolving prototypes in hours. With traditional manufacturing, this would have taken months. I can’t wait to print more shoes and updates.”
The shoe will be raffled on StockX on October 5, 2021. The $10 entry fee donated to Global March, a non-profit fighting child labor. In addition, a limited release for beta testers will be available for purchase on October 11th on zellerfeld.com.