ReShoes Contest 2017: Designers 3D Print Innovative New Footwear Prototypes

Clothing and shoes are something humans have required—or at least wanted—since they began walking on this earth, whether battling the elements, seeking warmth, or, quite often, making an individual statement. Fashion design and manufacturing seems to be a glamorous career, which many of us dream about and covet from a young age, but it’s not an industry that is meant for everyone. Not only is it highly competitive, but one must possess the creativity, artisanship, and resourcefulness required to make it in such a business. And while creating clothing that others want to purchase and wear is an enormous challenge today, footwear is perhaps even more so.

With the advent of 3D printing, though, many newcomers have been allowed to enter not only the fashion and footwear industries, but many others. New technology means a new level of self-sustainability in manufacturing, speed in creation, and affordability. It also means that for contests like ReShoes 2017 we see a new level of innovation—and enthusiasm.

Sponsored by Patrizio Dolci in collaboration with 3DiTALY, AtomLab and Ultimaker, the first ReShoes Contest just ended. Sixty designers, hailing from several different areas of Italy, contributed their work during the event, which was held in Caselle in Pittari, in the province of Salerno. Out of this group, ten designers were selected as finalists for their prototypes, and two as winners. The group saw this contest as a ‘one-of-a-kind experiment,’ according to a recent press release by 3DiTALY, presenting the opportunity to prototype and bring ‘new visions together.’

“The aim of ReShoes Contest 2017 was to open the doors of professional companies working in the shoe industry to the community of young Italian fashion designers and the world, allowing them to create a new concept of footwear personnel,” states the contest website.

The ten finalists attended a rapid prototyping workshop from May 18-20, provided by Confort Shoes, along with the Patrizio Dolci craftsmen and 3DiTaly professionals. 3D technology was encouraged, and the participants actually learned about additive manufacturing as they created.

“The learning path has been enriched by the AtomLab participation in the contest, represented by Sergio Dulio who promoted contact with state-of-the-art projects in the Italian and global footwear field,” states 3DiTALY.

According to the hosts, those participating in the contest were able to create prototypes of challenging footwear designs, shown off at the final event for the contest on May 20.

Giovanni Crescenzi won the ReShoes prize for ‘Mocassino 2.0.’ As the name would suggest, the shoe is a moccasin with a 3D printed sole.

“We are pleased to host so many creative designers and to offer the market such a successful outcome from this experience,” said Luciano Fiscina, CEO of Confort Shoes/Patrizio Dolci.

Claudia Imperatore won the AtomLab special prize for ‘Under Construction.’

“I believe that getting together the talent of so many young creative people and giving them the opportunity to challenge themselves is a great idea leading to an excellent outcome,” said Sergio Dulio, AtomLab Manager.

3D printed shoes are a hot topic these days at 3DPrint.com, whether in the form of athletic shoes, pumps, or sensible, everyday footwear that can be worn everywhere. We’ve also reported on shoes such as those by multi-faceted designer Hans Fouche, that can be 3D printed in under six minutes, very affordably. We’ll be waiting to hear more from the winners of this contest, as well as the other participants who gained skills in 3D prototyping.

For more from ReShoes, check out these videos:

Discuss in the Reshoes forum at 3DPB.com.