Handcrafted boots, unique pair, part two, 2022.
These high boots are an inquiry into the tug of war between the United States and the People’s
Republic of China. Two giants dividing the world into two large blocks and continuously
meddling in each others affairs. The first adversary with its a long, rich history and impenetrable secrets, is represented in the silhouette of the boot. The small toe and wide leg hint back to times past and traditional imperial Chinese footwear. To offset this, is the boots’ fabrication. Constructed out of denim, it symbolizes a modern age, individualism and the USA. A rival addicted to all things new, big and abundant.
Each component of this footwear is carefully crafted and manipulated by hand. The glaring,
bright red sole is competing for attention with the opulent and excessive denim above, which is
entirely made from repurposed jeans and elevated by a variety of techniques. Needing each
other to tell a complete story, the two parts create a curious blend of East meets West, archaic
meets contemporary.
Material: repurposed embroided jeans and a wooden lacquered sole.
Photo’s by Deborah Kiwi.
