Shoes and the harmony of Nature in Eastern philosophy

For millennia, Eastern culture has held on to the idea that human beings are not rulers of nature, but simply one element within it. The concept of harmony with the environment is deeply rooted in tradition, in the arts, in craftsmanship and even in the way everyday objects are conceived. This principle of profound interconnection and respect translates today into a concept that Western culture itself has had to embrace: sustainability.

This sensitivity finds a variety of expressive forms in the world of fashion and footwear, also through the offerings of two brands that choose to combine technical innovation with Asian culture: the newly launched brand KAVKI and ID.EIGHT with the launch of the model NURI.

KAVKI and the evolution of Washi

The newly founded brand KAVKI immerses itself fully in the aesthetics and history of Japan. The name evokes the “eccentric” characters and the world of Kabuki theatre, with the precise mission of spreading Japanese culture around the world. KAVKI’s own logo takes up the design of Kumadori, the expressive make-up applied by theatre actors. This link with Japanese culture is also found in the footwear, where the sole design originates from Maeda Keiji, a celebrated and legendary samurai active from the Sengoku period into the early years of the Edo period, a symbol of independence and strong individuality. Japanese culture comes together with sustainability through the use, in many models, of washi fabric, traditional Japanese paper used for over 1,300 years for shoji screens, books and works of art. Produced in a historic Japanese paper mill with over a century of activity, washi fabric uses wood sourced from responsibly managed and certified forests, both nationally and internationally. A natural and biodegradable material that respects the environment of the future.

Korean symbolism in ID.EIGHT’s new NURI model 

Founded in Florence but strongly linked to the Korean roots of its co-founder Dong Seon Lee, ID.EIGHT immediately made a name for itself on the ethical fashion scene, with 100% cruelty-free, genderless trainers made from over 70% recycled or bio-based materials.

With the new season, the brand takes a decisive step forward, entering the barefoot segment with the NURI model. Designed to respect the natural anatomy of the foot, leaving room for the toes to move, NURI features a “bag” construction, a craft technique in which the inner lining is stitched around the last like a glove. Technical innovation goes hand in hand with a strong cultural component: the name NURI comes from a Korean word meaning “universe” and recalls the Taegeuk, the symbol at the centre of the South Korean flag that represents the balance between the forces of nature. The dialogue with Korean culture also emerges through the Minhwa print, featured in some variants of the collection, an ancient form of Korean folk art. The star of the NURI is the recycled canvas, more structured and textured than the recycled polyester used in the past, paired with an unlined mesh chosen to further lighten the product and improve its breathability.

A food waste product can become a sole. Next week, we’ll look at how exploring new materials can make the industry more sustainable. See you then.