The rise of modular and conceptual footwear is not only turning the footwear industry upside-down through experimental aesthetic ideation but also from a sustainable product development point of view. Partnerships like Finn Rush-Taylor Studio and Zellerfeld are certainly bringing us one step closer to the future with their innovative approach to progressive 3D-printed footwear design. The London-based design stiudio and technology developer have unveiled their first collaborative sneaker, NAMI: a cutting-edge performance silhouette that is about to revolutionize traditional shoe craftsmanship.

Served in a radiant purple hue and inspired by the Japanese appreciation for the contours of water ripples and waves, the ergonomic and laceless silhouette juxtaposes computer manufacturing configurations with nature-inspired references. This exploration of the natural and artificial is indebted to the anticipation of technology as a last resource for sustainable development. Through the modular construction of footwear designs, designers can create beyond the limitation of physical making. Rush-Taylor and Zellerfeld relied on virtual reality prototyping to design the shoe in a three-dimensional layout instead of time-inefficient single-angle sketches.

By employing a rapid prototyping technique ingrained in quick visualizations flexibility, the creative duo could easily test fits, shapes and design features without opening up shoe molds and keeping operations at a low cost. The freedom coming from future-forward ways of shoemaking is not merely a desirable route for creative exploration but also for making eco-friendly ventures more accessible. Zellerfeld’s 3D-printing technology offers custom-fitted products which are made-to-order from mono materials and include no stitching or gluing. The sustainable benefits from this include sequestering carbon emissions, energy and waste, as well as the opportunity for repairs as opposed to new replacements.

For Finn Rush-Taylor and Zellerfeld, the vision to propel footwear design into a new stratosphere is not new. Rush-Taylor started a 3D printed footwear and VR design studio in 2020, seeking to bridge the gap between the physical and the digital — some of itsrecent collaborations include adidas, PUMA and Crocs. Meanwhile, Zellerfeld’s manufacturing platform, located in Germany and the United States, was quickly backed by leaders like Tesla, SpaceX, Paypal and StockX for its innovative take on material science and ability to bypass traditional manufacturing hurdles. You may remember we reported on Zellerfeld’s Heron Preston collaboration last year then again earlier this year when the two came out with an updated version guided by consumer feedback.

In a statement, Rush-Taylor commented, “I hope this release with Zellerfeld signifies a change in the industry which is long overdue, where creators don’t have to answer to a hierarchy and can release a product that is daring and their own vision. I believe in a future where the creator has full control over their vision and has a platform that pushes for that. To me, Zellerfeld is the physical version of a platform like Youtube, where all you need is a couple of key partners to push out content or products. I think this way of partnership will make creators question if they need to rely on big brands for the world to see their work and actually get the credit they deserve.”

Cornelius Schmitt, CEO and Co-Founder at Zellerfeld added, “With the launch of NAMI with Finn Rush-Taylor – 3D-printing makes history again. For the first time ever, a creative can launch his own sneaker brand from nothing. The release of the NAMI is an absolute statement to the footwear industry. A statement for change, and for always being rebellious. I can’t wait for the bright future that awaits footwear after this.”

Priced at $250 USD, the “NAMI” sneakers are available now to purchase from the Zellerfeld app. You can also apply to the beta program via the iOS app to scan your feet and order a custom-printed pair.