Nomads on Tour
Beyond the mainstream you find the authentic. The designers of innovative shoes have to step on roads that lead to ideas. This works best in the megacities of the world. That’s why one part of the tradition is to leave the creative “witches’ kitchen” and the explore new grounds: Rome, Paris, London, Berlin,..
Thereby we line-up an experienced team: our Frank Prenntzell and his experimental colleagues Olivo Malin and Martino Turri choose a different way to move ahead: the trend hunters take a ride on the bike.
Con la bici a Parigi
Paris is different. This is why in April 2010 this metropolis was the target destination on search of new creative input.
Where cars are too wide, the metro not flexible enough and the feet are too tired, there’s just one way to explore the hot spots of the city: by bike (subject to nerves of steel for the urban traffic). Beyond highways and rails, our trio gets inspired by those havens that are hidden from the touristic eye.
As a proof there are numerous photos of Paris, which show the „slowed-down“ life in cafés, galleries and unusual places that make up for innovative ideas.
What do our designers pay attention to first? Hardly on the shoes, that would just be too easy! On search of the new, they are browsing beyond the boulevards, in the antiquarian shops, bookstores, in boutiques and malls. The long way is the way. Jackets, belts, bags and accessories catch their eye just as ethno-graffiti in a illustrated book or a random glimpse on the jacket of a worker.
The fact that little details lay the ground for creative shoes is the result of the blind understanding within our creative kitchen on whose doorsign is written “development” and “product design”.
Con la bici a Parigi is just one example for the individual culture of finding ideas – a big benefit for our brand. Swimming against the current and stay loyal to yourself, that’s AirStep.
Ideas from beyond
The inspiration can also be found away from the metropolis. Where? In all place that we pass by everyday – for example when strolling in the woods. Like this, the colours of the forest became the main theme auf the autumn/winter 2009 collection and a blueprint of the leaves the motive for the soles.
BANG! A burst mountain bike tyre including the fall and the furious destruction of the tyre gave Martino Turri the inspiration for a second sole design – this time with a profile!
This year the sole shows the imprint of a Parisian manhole cover. The names of two lovers carved into it were quickly replaced by AIRSTEP – and finished was the sole design for 2010/2011.
Next trip to…?
Tomorrow is starting today - this is why a new „Tour de Trends“ needs to be planned several months before the launch of future collections. Of course we will report here in time which European metropolis will be the next target destination of our design-bikers and which sources of inspiration they will find.
Insiders’ tips in Paris:
L’Eclaireur – Concept Store
Find it and you’re in designers’ heaven
www.leclaireur.com
