IMPUL’SE is a modern footwear collection that reintroduces the traditional Russian wool-felting technique with the goal to revitalize this sustainably significant and culturally meaningful material. The global consumer who is both fashion-conscious and concerned with the environment will appreciate the warmth, durability, and quality as well as the low impact aspects of these models while enjoying the beauty of their post-revolution Russian Avant-Gard inspired styling.
The Russian Revolution and Russian Avant-Garde have inspired my collection. Russian Avant-Garde that flourished at the beginning of the 20th Century has expressed social and political change. The quantity and quality of the creative work in art and design was anticipating in one intense flash what then took another fifty years to unfold elsewhere in the world. Russian Avant-Garde has inspired many designers and has impacted modern fashion design.
I have worked with trendy and Russian Avant-Garde-inspired colors.
Inspired by Russian Revolution and Russian Avant-Garde the collection includes modern-looking knee-high military and riding boots models similar to those that soldiers wore during Russian Revolution. Some styles have leather parts inspired by high-end wool felt boots that wealthy Russians used to wear. Leather also protects most vulnerable part of the models. Russian Avant-Garde designs were all about functionality and so my designs are. The models do not have any excessive details. I also wanted to show how versatile wool felt is. Wool can be felted in a way so it has a gradient or a marble texture.
Similar production cycle to wool felt hats one. The wool is being cleaned with hot water and soda crystals, combed on a carting machine, and formed around shoe last, which mimics foot shape. Then wool fibers bond together in hot water. When wool felt shoe dries it becomes solid and sturdy. No chemicals are used in the process. Natural rubber soles and wool felt uppers are being fused together under heat and pressure or being stitched. No glue is used.