Biodegradable Waste Material Footwear

Mainstream footwear is often associated with synthetic materials that won't break down after use, so the 'Sneature' shoes have been designed as an eco-friendly alternative that highlights a biodegradable construction.

Designed by Emilie Burfeind, the shoe is constructed using waste materials including chiengora (dog hair yarn), a thin layer of bio-rubber and a sole that's crafted using mushroom mycelium. The segmented design of the sneaker is hidden through distinct details that make it look like a uniform fashion product that's ready for everyday wear.

Burfeind described the 'Sneature' shoe saying, "The sneaker was segmented into functional and structural areas (membrane, transition, sole) in order to implement the tested materials in a suitable way, taking into account the functional properties of the different areas. Because of the possible integration into an industrial production process, the membrane – the integrative core of the shoe – was created using a 3D-knitting technique. In order to approach the problem and conceptualize a solution, a fundamental factor for the ecological properties of every product – the material was examined. The design is based on a series of material experiments with natural raw fibers."