Cult Swedish sneaker brand Eytys has tapped South African Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu for its latest collaboration.
In line with the brand's upcoming photography book, Eytys designer Max Schiller traveled from Stockholm to South Africa to work with the 80-year-old African artist. Mahlangu's work has always paid homage to the graphic and colorful traditions of the Ndebele tribe, which is the same cultural aesthetic she brought to the sneaker brand's latest collection.
Released for the Spring/Summer 2016 season, the Eytys x Esther Mahlangu collection sees Eytys' platform silhouette decorated with tribal markings in a variety of eye-catching colors which take the form of many different shapes. The sneakers are also offered in a variety of colors with Mahlangu's artwork also changing color to suit the shoe's palette.
African Art Sneakers
The Eytys x Esther Mahlangu Sneakers Boast Cultural Aesthetics
Trend Themes
1. Cultural Collaborations in Fashion - Opportunity for brands to collaborate with artists from diverse cultures and create unique products that celebrate cultural aesthetics.
2. Graphic and Colorful Designs - Growing demand for bold and eye-catching designs that incorporate tribal markings and vibrant colors.
3. Art-inspired Fashion Collections - Increasing trend of fashion brands collaborating with artists to create limited edition collections that blur the line between art and fashion.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - Fashion brands can explore collaborations with artists to infuse unique cultural aesthetics into their products and appeal to a wider audience.
2. Art - Artists can expand their reach by collaborating with fashion brands to bring their artwork to a broader consumer base.
3. Design - Designers can incorporate graphic and colorful elements inspired by different cultures into their products and create visually striking designs.