3D Printed Shoes Debut in Feetz@DSW Pop-Up Shops in NYC and San Francisco

Oh our Feetz! This is a company, which got its start in Chattanooga, TN before moving to Silicon Valley in the spring, that we’ve enjoyed reporting on since their inception; in fact, our very own editor-in-chief at 3DPrint.com, Sarah Goehrke, is even the proud owner of a pair of 3D printed Feetz shoes. The progressive shoe company has forged ahead with big plans from the beginning for offering customized footwear to the world, despite skeptics who wondered how they might actually pull it off—especially on FDM printers. From raising substantial seed funding to launching their first 100 pairs of shoes, Feetz, and founder and CEO Lucy Beard, have certainly come a long way from pitching their concept at tradeshows.

Moving right along with their goals to begin spreading the footwear joy across the US, Feetz is going the pop-up shop route as they launch Feetz@DSW, partnering with DSW, a leading branded footwear and accessories retailer. Beginning in NYC, these pop-ups will be manufacturing the custom 3D printed shoes using the unique and proprietary Feetz technology. While customers will be assured comfortable shoes made in an extremely high-tech fashion, many will also have an introduction to the benefits of 3D printing as they see the technology at work. The first pop-up shops by Feetz will be found in DSW’s NYC 34th St. and SF Union Square locations.

“DSW is excited to bring Feetz’s innovative technology to our customers through this pop-up experience. Feetz uses 22 unique dimensions to create custom fitting, personalized shoes on-demand, which we believe has the potential to disrupt the footwear industry as we know it today. We are pleased to be the first to bring this new concept to the market,” said Simon Nankervis, Chief Commercial Officer of DSW Inc.

The founder, Beard, is more than just a zealous shoe lover dabbing in new technology and marketing. Creating Feetz in 2013, the mathematician and entrepreneur decided to find a way to improve shoe shopping overall, thinking beyond the traditional ways shoes are manufactured and sold.

“By partnering with DSW, we have an amazing opportunity to bring the world of 3D printing to DSW’s customers,” she said. “People will soon be able to see, touch and learn about how our 3D technology can personalize footwear and experience a product that is as good for you as it is for the environment. DSW is an innovative footwear retailer and we are confident that together, Feetz and DSW will develop a relevant and unique experience for our customers.”

At the Feetz@DSW, those purchasing shoes will be able to see the SizeMe technology in action as 3D scanners are used in capturing 5000 datapoints and 22 dimensions, with the resulting 3D printed shoe available in under two weeks. And not only that, Feetz are made from recyclable materials.

Beard is truly cashing in on the high points of 3D printing, much to the benefit of everyone with customization, new methods of quality production, and versatility in materials.

Feetz@DSW’s pop-up stores will be open during the following dates:

• DSW’s 34th St./Seventh Ave., New York City: October 17-30, November 19-27, 2016
• DSW’s Union Square, San Francisco: November 5-13, 2016

For more information, see Feetz. Also, check out the video below to see how you can scan your own feet to get started on ordering your own pair of 3D printed shoes. Discuss in the Feetz forum at 3DPB.com.

https://youtu.be/_N4F1wMj4RI