kobi levi: footwear art

‘slide’ by kobi levi image © kobi levi footwear design

designboom has just returned from tel aviv where we were part of vibe isreal, funded by non-profit apolitical social startup kinetis who is seeking to promote the culture, people and resources of israel through different umbrellas of creativity. as a part of the ‘design tour’, we visited several studios including that of israeli footwear designer kobi levi whose one off designs could be considered more on the side of sculptural works of art. each of the pieces are developed by levi and produced by hand in his studio. here is a look at his latest pieces which explore a range of themes from bananas to ducks to madonna.

‘slide’ side view image © kobi levi footwear design

‘slide’ was born from the complaints of women wearing high heels that their feet always slide forward in the shoes. this idea is represented using a tongue-in-cheek design, incorporating bright primary colors and utilizing a playground slide as the basis of the shoe’s main form, with a ladder functioning as the heel.

‘market’ image © kobi levi footwear design

‘market’ takes the traditional basket used to collect and carry one’s fresh groceries, transforming the shape into a platform for the slip-on sandals.

‘banana’ image © kobi levi footwear design

‘banana’ comes from the usually unpleasant combination of banana peels and shoes. this is a playful unification of the elements, the shape of the slipper taking on the look of a peeled banana. both the sole and heel are made from one aluminum piece.

‘coffee’ porcelain version in white image © kobi levi footwear design

‘coffee’, available in both black and white, draws its form on that of a caraffe, the illusion of liquid being disguised as the heel, as if it is being poured out of a container. leather is used in composition with clear PVC for the body, while the heel is made from cast aluminum.

‘coffee’ diner version in black image © kobi levi footwear design

‘blond ambition’ image © kobi levi footwear design

‘blond ambition’ is meant to be a representation of madonna during the 90’s. her iconic bustier, the design of jean-paul gaultier,
acts as the front of the shoe while her blond ponytail, derived from real hair acquired from a nearby salon,
is used to fashion the quarter section of the piece.

‘bird series’ uses well-known iconic appearance of some feathered friends, such as a mallard duck and swan, incorporating into footwear. the colors and shapes represent the color types of feathers, while the beaks become the heel.

‘mother & daughter’ was commissioned by amp mall in hong kong for an exhibition held for mother’s day in may 2011. the slippers represents the relationship between the parent and the child. the larger shoe shelters the smaller one but at the same time leans on it for support.

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