Future Footwear Foundation

We promote our understanding of human locomotion and sustainable footwear for body and environment by studying and working with indigenous cobblers and by integrating design anthropology, sustainability and biomechanics in multidisciplinary projects. Future Footwear was developed by Catherine Willems as part of her doctoral research at KASK Ghent, School of Arts, Belgium (www.KASK.be) (PhD., 2015). The biomechanical component of ‘Future Footwear Foundation’ is done in collaboration with dr. Kristiaan D’Août (Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Liverpool). Inspired by the convergence of traditional wisdom and modern technology Willems has now embarked on a follow up study, Future Footwear 2.0, which aims to bring sustainable production and individual needs closer together through 3D printing. To scale-up to global activities and sustain this convergence beyond the term-limited research at KASK, ‘Future Footwear Foundation’ fosters collaborations between artisans, students, and synergistic units in academia and private sectors around the world, including Vivobarefoot (UK), Rsscan (BE), Toehold Artisans (IN), London College of Fashion, Footwear Design (UK).