-RISCHA- is the name of the shoe brand I created for my Msc diploma thesis in Aplied Design. I designed a small collection focused more in 3 seasons, autumn, spring & summer. I decided to produce just 3 prototypes of 3 models I chose from the sketching process, which better represented my concept.
BRAND & TYPOGRAPHY
After analysis & surveys on the fashion market of the big brands logos, I noticed that most of them played only with the font, and each of them has it's certified one. So as I was looking for a very minimal design of my brand's logo, I kept it simple, and after a lot of tries, I made the right choice.
INSPIRATION
This project was even followed from a short study about the Albania’s footwear history. As there wasn’t any written fact or document about the albanian shoe design history, I tried to collect some evidences about how shoes were made & produced in Albania. According to this and after being introduced with some very interesting old traditional shoes, I was mostly inspired and attracted by "opinga", albanian leather shoes like moccasins.
What instantly grabbed my attention and pushed me further in the creative process, was the pompom on the top of "opinga", originally made from wool. Its round spheric shape, its size & material, its "jiggle" movement sensation, were all the elements which I interpreted in different ways in my design.
My second inspiration were candies and sweets. Their colors palettes, their sweetness, the good vibe and energy they transmit inspired me in the design process, and made me go for a totally "edible" shoe collection.
SKETCHES
The 3 chosen models, which came under further changes & modifications until final results.
Renders and visualisations of the shoes, always playing with the concept of "candy", displaying them into candy's packaging
BUILDING & PRODUCING
The process of choosing the right materials, by dividing them into groups of the same color tones
To build and produce my shoe project I contracted two craftsmen, a shoemaker and a carpenter. As I wanted to realize a handmade product it was very challenging building a shoe from the beggining. So I found alternative solutions (e.g. wood) for some parts of the prototypes (e.g. heels), which can be replaced by lighter & practical materials if they enter the industrial production stage.
Painting the wood heels and the pompoms made from real sheep wool material
Finalising the models, giving the last touches
FINAL PRODUCTS
CAMPAIGN PHOTOS (ss16 collection)
OUTFIT SUGGESTIONS
I wanted to thank all the people and collaborators who helped me make this dream project real and made me feel so proud of it.
1. My mentor A.P. Gëzim Qëndro
2. The talented craftsmen Mr. Arben & Mr. Muharrem
3. Polis University
4. My friend Kristi
5. My besties
6. My family
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT & ADVICES!
