Shutter Heels by Winde Rienstra

observation from Killer Heels Show at Brooklyn Museum.

: This pair is called Shutter Heel, made in 2013, by Winde Rienstra(Dutch). She is known for architectural design in women’s garment and shoes. During the Killer Heels show at Brooklyn Museum, many other shoes were also designed by Winde Rienstra. It is easy to recognize because they share the similar shape, yet the materials are different.

: Young Dutch designer Winde Rienstra’s designs usually include wooden elements, architectural structures, and futurism. Also many latest technologies are used to complete the design. She takes benefits of being a designer as the young generation. Technologies make dreams no longer untouchable.

: The type of this pair of high heel is called wedge, which has the whole flat bottom lifting the shoes.

: Plexiglas, also be called acrylic, is a type of plastic that be used as the substitute material of glass. Because of its chemical feature, it can be easily shaped. It is widely used in architecture and crafts. It replaces glasses for its special features: flexibility, strenth, transparency, etc. However, one shocking fact about this material: 2kg petroleum for 1kg plexiglass. It’s a huge waste of resource. We should really thank to the nature and use the properly.

: The material of this piece grabbed my first attention. This Shutter Heels is made of Plexiglas, which is used as the base to support the feet. It was shaped by laser cuts. Pieces of Plexiglas are joined with screws. I also found a metal chip in the front of the bottom of the shoes. I don’t understand what is it for, it could be used for joining. The upper part is a elastic with wooden beads.

: The Fortress of Solitude, known as the superman’s secret base. This shoes remind me the superman’s cave. Although this might not be the designer’s inspiration, the shoes and the cave share many similarities. They both have used half transparent glass material in mint color; they both represent illusory; and they somehow represent superpower. Again, it reminds me of the superman’s cave because of its architectural structure and its non-traditional material.

: The hole traverses all pieces of Plexiglas. From the side view, the pieces around are like a vortex to the hole. If I were the designer, I would start to design with the side sketch, which is 2D. I believe that this is the origin of this whole design.

: Can you see the connection between this design and the shoes? I guess Winde Rienstra learned the structure of spiral staircase, which creates the depth to the center hole.

: The designer didn’t really explain what the design comes from. However, the clue is hiden in its name – Shutter Heels. By searching “shutter“ in Google, all camera shutters like this show up. Shutter is part of a camera lens that allows a certain amount of lights go through.

: Look at this hole again after I explained in the previous slides, you may think in a diffferent way. This is what attractive about conceptual design, everyone applies different meanings to one thing, according to one’s knowledge. And sometimes even the original designer would find new meanings along the process.

: The wood beads are very outstanding by comparing with the supporting part. Wood indicates original and old. The designer challenges the conflict between old and new. It is also a reference to religion. The elastic with wooden beads are originated from Buddhist bracelet or necklace. It represents the power of Eastern religion locking the wearer’s feet.

: Prayer beads are represented in many religions. In various of religions, the numbers of beads has also different meanings, some indicates the levels of truth, or numbers of sages. The material can be wood, stone or even nutlet. Wooden beads are the most common.

: As Winde Rienstra’s origin, I guess she was inspired by traditional dutch wooden shoes, as you can see how the front parts hold the feet. Also, it’s the main reason that she uses many wood in her shoes design. wood can be shaped permanently and it’s very durable.

: This is how dutch wooden shoes look like. Rare cultures use wood for making shoes, and in the modern time, most people no longer wear wooden shoes.

: Even she takes inspiration from old objects, she renews the old design. I think that is how the world is slowly being shaped, renewing old things little by little. It is like inventing the computer, and having upgrades.