Inspiration for Le Maestro came from an objective of incorporating modern manufacturing techniques and 3D-printed materials into a footwear product. Initial thoughts of creating a driving shoe or a dress loafer came to mind; two of which have interested me because of their unique characteristics and silhouette. I concluded with the intent of creating a modern silhouette for the traditional dress loafer. Le Maestro revolutionizes the dress shoe genre by incorporating a Direct Metal Laser Sintered (DMLS) 3D-printed ‘matrix heel’ that reduces the visual weight of the heel section and showcases the structural components of the dress shoe. To complement the long and elegant vamp, high grain leather is used for the upper’s construction which features an asymmetrical design. The integration of the heel section in to the upper is now characterized with an elegant heel cap profile. The revolutionary feature of Le Maestro is the titanium ‘matrix heel’. Its function is to maintain the form of the waist’s out-sole and provide structural support to the heel. Le Maestro is the first of its kind to showcase the structural support section within traditional dress shoes. The component of the shoe is known as the ‘matrix heel’ and is manufactured through a revolutionary printing process known as Direct Metal Laser Sintering. For more information or to get in touch with the designer, just follow the link below.
