Issey Miyake’s Future Product Legacy
An Intersection of Craft and Technology
A-POC ABLE collaborates with MAGARIMONO to Create a 3D-Printed Hand Woven Sandal
With the unfortunate passing of legendary designer Issey Miyake, we not only look backward through his rich product archive, but perhaps more impressively, we looked forward to a future legacy of “craft meets tech” product for which Miyake has laid the groundwork.
What many may not fully realise, is that Miyake was quite a vanguardist in his own right, utilising progressive fabrics back in the 1970s like Plexiglas, silicon, and copper cable. Continuously balancing the contemporary with the traditional, Miyake learned how to refine some of the cutting-edge synthetic technologies of the time, as well as working to reinvigorate traditional dyeing and production that were on the brink of becoming obsolete at the time (via 3dprint.com).
With that same fervour for innovation and craft Miyake created A-POC (A Piece of Cloth) in 1998 which, lead by A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE designer Yoshiyuki Miyamae, further continues Miyake’s ethos of working with technology and questioning the process of manufacturing to create new expressions and experiences in clothing and products.
“From the very beginning, the philosophy that permeates Miyake's clothing creation is 'a piece of cloth.' It is something that is pursued from the very roots.The research begins with looking at a single thread, expands to the development of unique materials, and develops into new clothing.” ( MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO )
Looking forward to one of their latest expressions, A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE has worked with experimental 3D footwear specialist brand, MAGARIMONO to question how traditional craftsmanship can intertwine with more contemporary additive construction processes, such as 3D printing.
Inspired by hand-woven “Zōri” Japanese thong sandals, which are traditionally made with natural fibers, the shoe is dubbed the “TYPE-III Magarimono project”. Utilising environmentally friendly materials, the designers created an intricate 3D printed sole structure that allows cords to be hand-woven directly into it, consequently creating both a unique aesthetic as well as a cushioned insole.
The product itself is an ode to celebrating process, glorifying each of the manufacturing methods used to create it, even down to the very conscious decision to leave the un-buffed 3D printed layered ‘steps’ in the product. A beautiful expression of Miyake’s “craft meets tech” approach to design.
After a year of development, the shoes are available (currently a Japan exclusive) at Issey Miyake’s flagship A–POC ABLE stores in Tokyo and Kyoto and the original Issey Miyake shops in Marunouchi, Tokyo, and Semba, Osaka. Hopefully we can also look forward to a global release in the coming months.