COLLAGED SNEAKER by Helen Kirkum Studio
HELEN KIRKUM STUDIO was born in 2019 with the fundamental goal of rescuing odd sneakers from landfill to create new pieces that raise awareness for and tackle the issue of post-consumer sneaker waste created from linear production processes. By celebrating the processes of wearing and making in all Helen Kirkum products by utilising recycled and dead stock materials, to create artisanal & authentic pieces.
Raw materials are collected from single shoe bundles at Traid’s warehouse, (Traid is a charity retailer on a mission to change fashion for the better), or alternatively from fashion or sportswear businesses that have single shoe samples, faulty returns or other unusable sneakers and need help to create a funnel for redistribution of waste sneaker materials. These waste products are then deconstructed in-house to create re-born raw materials.
The Collaged Sneaker Leather is a creative material solution to redirect sneakers from landfill and extend their lifecycle, with a process that is digestible and intuitive. We are confronted daily with the reality that post consumer sneakers, still withhold a vast amount of value and quality material properties. The resulting material is made in sheets specifically designed for the end product, meaning we can tailor the placement of components, thickness and colour variation to create consistency across products.
The Palimpsest sneaker is a reimagined classic showcasing our Faded Black & Worn White collaged Leather and Dusty Stone in a pastiche of recycled suede. A tactile handcrafted sneaker, constructed of upcycled sneaker components in a collaged pattern that is unique to each pair.
COMPOSITION: Upcycled sneaker components / Cotton with adhesive backer
Priced per project, available on request.