Epoch

2021.09

Epoch, created in collaboration with Elena Velez for New York Fashion Week, marks the first step in merging engineering with unconventional materials in the fashion world. This groundbreaking boot challenges traditional fashion norms by incorporating innovative construction techniques and unexpected materials, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in design. Epoch represents a new era in wearable art, where fashion meets engineering to create bold, functional pieces that redefine the intersection of style and technology. It’s a visionary exploration of how fashion can evolve, combining experimentation with craftsmanship to shape the future of the industry.

We employed techniques such as CNC machining, vacuum forming, and 3D scanning to create a perfectly fitted, solid boot that attaches directly to the foot. By using 3D scanning, we captured the precise contours of the wearer’s foot, ensuring a tailored fit. Vacuum forming then allowed us to craft a durable, custom-designed boot that molds seamlessly to the foot, bolted securely for a unique combination of engineering and art. This fusion of technology and craftsmanship results in a one-of-a-kind piece that perfectly blends fashion and engineering.

Photo credit: @trecrews

The future of fashion is the blending of art and technology, a push for human augmentation that alters what it means to be human.

Design

Throughout the design process, we worked closely with Elena Velez to refine every detail of Epoch, collaborating until the final vision was realized. This project represents more than just a boot; it’s a celebration of the Rust Belt’s influence on fashion, bringing the heart of America’s industrial past into the spotlight. With a focus on Midwest manufacturing, we sought to honor the region's rich history of craftsmanship while pushing the boundaries of modern design. The result is a fusion of industrial heritage and high fashion, a piece that tells the story of both the region’s legacy and its future in the fashion world.

Technology at it's highest form is indistinguishable from high fashion.

Concept

Using a durable material that can be formed and enclose the foot. Providing a strong cover for the human body and making a ritual of bolting it onto the user speaks to an idea that I believe will be powerful in the future. This steps into the idea of using human augmentation as a way to better lives, improve lifespan, and be an extension of fashion itself.

Epoch, just the beginning.