Subtraction

technical description

Off-road running shoe, built around a removable inner sock made of mesh fabric. An outer leather structure wraps around the entire shoe and, through an adjustable rear strap and an elastic lace, surrounds the shoe, providing structural support to the sole.

concept

Jamie O’Grady’s footwear concept was inspired by iconic Braun products designed by Dieter Rams in the 60s. Rams’ ideas were deeply ethical: he didn’t just care about how things looked, but also how they affected people and the environment. A philosophy that is still relevant today in discussions on sustainability, planned obsolescence, and minimalism and which lies at the core of O’Grady’s sneaker prototypes, which redefine how shoes are constructed. Following Dieter Rams’ 10 principles for good design and his philosophy of “less is more if it is better”, the shoes are adhesive free and completely modular. The shoes can be actually built in seconds, parts can be swapped depending on the weather and terrain, and replaced when they wear out. Each independent part is made from one single material which makes it easier to recycle. It changes the traditional shoemaking process and lifecycle by cutting back on unnecessary details and offering multiple combinations within one design.

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