German fashion brand Hugo Boss has entered the 3D printing conversation with the release of a fully 3D printed loafer. Made in collaboration with 3D printing shoe factory Zellerfeld, the loafer introduces a new silhouette to the versatile footwear market, one that draws on the classic loafer style but also introduces a sleek, tech-enabled architecture.
The 3D printed loafer, dubbed the HUGO FORWARD x Zellerfeld loafer, is the result of a collaboration between HUGO, the company’s more youth-oriented brand, and Zellerfeld, a Hamburg-based factory that specializes in the scalable production of fully 3D printed footwear. Hugo Boss is the factory’s latest partner from the fashion world—a roster that also includes Louis Vuitton, Nike, Mallet London and Moncler, as well as many cutting-edge footwear designers.
Making its debut last week in the NAMESAKE runway show at Paris Fashion Week, the 3D printed loafer is based on a unique design that includes a monolithic structure and is made from a single recyclable material. This is in contrast to traditional footwear, which is notoriously difficult to recycle because it is made from several different materials and assembled using adhesives. The loafer also has a built-in closure system that enables wearers to adjust the fit directly through the structure.
By leveraging 3D printing for its newest footwear design, Hugo Boss is also able to explore a made-to-order production model, which not only reduces the need for inventory and the waste associated with mass production, but also opens up possibilities for customization. In fact, when purchasing the shoes, customers can use Zellerfeld’s foot scan technology to capture a model of their feet and the shoes will be tailored to fit their size and dimensions. Customers can also choose from a variety of colors (beige, black, red, orange or blue).
Once ordered, the loafers are brought to life using Zellerfeld’s proprietary software and hardware solutions—a process that reportedly takes mere hours. The shoes themselves are made from a flexible material—TPU-based zellerFOAM—whose properties can be tailored through the shoe’s design. While it does not appear the HUGO loafers are available yet, the shoes will reportedly become available to order on Zellerfeld’s online store, while HUGO stores in Amsterdam and Milan will promote the innovative footwear.
In other recent Zellerfeld news, sportswear retailer Solebox entered into a partnership with Zellerfeld to rollout the latter’s custom scanning system at Solebox’s Berlin flagship store so that customers can order custom shoes directly in store.
