Zaha Hadid and Rem D Koolhaas of United Nude have launched a new limited edition haute couture shoe. The NOVA shoe combines innovative material and ergonomic considerations with the dynamism of Hadid’s architectural language to convey an inherent sense of movement.
“I could not resist the challenge to work with Zaha. We gave ourselves the greatest degree of experimentation and used the latest digital design and manufacturing technologies to create one of the most innovative shoes ever produced,” says Koolhaas.
Zaha Hadid explains, “I have always appreciated those who dare to experiment with materials and proportions. Our collaboration with United Nude reinterprets the classic shoe typology; pushing the boundaries of what is possible without compromising integrity.”
The NOVA design incorporates intricate striations juxtaposed with dramatic realignments, establishing a direct formal relationship with the shoe’s primary structure and expressing the dynamic forces applied by the wearer’s every step. A cantilevered system allows the 16cm (6.25 in) heel to appear completely unsupported.
Injection molding, as well as hand-molded methods such as vacuum casting were combined to realize the design. Rotation molding enabled the shoes’ seamless detailing. The upper of the shoe combines metallic chromed vinyl rubber and is lined with the highest quality Italian kid nappa leathers. The hidden platform and heel are composed of fiberglass and the outsole is made of rubber.
Zaha Hadid Architects
Zaha Hadid with Patrik Schumacher
Maren Klasing
Maha Kutay
Woody Yao
