4th Shoe Design Course SASK graduation show 2012 Sint-Niklaas

The Shoe Design Course SASK, part of the Academy of Fine Arts in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium held their graduation show 2012 last Saturday June 2nd. The models presented the 2012 collections in a black boxed catwalk which only showed legs with fabulous shoes.


The first year students showed a varied collection of shoe studies. Three assignments: form studies based on objects, shoes inspired by art and a recycling which resulted in a very creative use of materials: shoe designs made of brooms, watering cans, towel hooks and soles made from computer keyboard tabs.

In the second year the collection ‘Balance’ by Katrien Herdewyn was spectacular. Very sculptural and architectural shoes, on the edge of walkable but great in performance. Very interesting were the ‘I am the hunter boots’ with a rubber rabbit head formed leg covers and boots with striking external knee joints (made of a skull of a tiger) by Jozefien VanderMarliere and special were the cute childrens ‘Tongari Atama’ platforms by Gert van Gastel. The three year old model walked happily on them. Finally the third year student Sofie Goemaere showed ethnically influenced black leather ‘Guerre de Tibet’ boots that were connected by a large leather flap. Els Debaere graduated with a set of folded and knotted slippers, called ‘Home Sweet Homy’ All made of different materials. The choice of material gave a completely different perspective on these shoes.

It was a very inspiring and fabulous show. The shoes as well as the clothes were very ingeniously constructed, very colorful and all full of joy. Clearly influenced by visually strong and energetic designers as Alexander McQueen and Walter Van Beirendonck, architecture and folding techniques like origami and wrapping, but still allowing the individuals to shine trough. All together a very inspiring fashion night. I really enjoyed my VIP seat!

The shoes will be on display at the Dutch Leather and Shoe museum in Waalwijk from June 28th till August 26th.

More about about Shoe Design Course SASK
From the renowned fashion part-time training of the Academy of Fine Arts in Sint-Niklaas came the demand for a shoe department. The need for such an artistic education in Belgium was compelling. The school submitted an application to the Flemish government and two years later the Shoe Design studio, the first shoe design course at academic level in Belgium, started. End of June 2009 the first shoe designer graduated.

Starting point of SASK is creativity
The premise of the program is to design with the emphasis on creativity. Shoe Design is part of an artistic project and it’s just that artistic value that offers an additional factor. It must contain design and artistic ability harmoniously combined with portability, materials and knowledge of historical and ethnographic background. The graduated shoe desigers will be creative professionals who combine artistic insight and technical knowledge. In the four year course, this dynamic between the artistic and craft is analyzed and promoted.

The head of design is Anne Poesen, architect and freelance footwear designer (studied at Ars Arpel Institute in Milan, Italy). She has an extensive experience in the shoe industry and works on footwear and bag projects in and outside Belgium. Patrick Creemers, orthopedic shoemaker, teaches material knowledge and technology.

www.academiesintniklaas.be

Photo’s by Patrick Creemers
Broom shoes by Sol Alonso, Rabbit boots by Jozefien VanderMarliere