Lacoste Footwear Capsule Collection
Zaha Hadid Architects

Photo courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects

The Zaha Hadid for Lacoste footwear collaboration began with a digitized interpretation of surfaces with repeated patterns.

The digital landscape is translated into a tactile landscape by a series of metal plates depicting the desired wave pattern. These plates were subsequently utilized to apply a combination of heat embossing and debossing techniques to the calf leather, thus rendering the topography in relief. This resulting topography gradually emerges on the uppers as it curves around the top and exterior fascia of each shoe, and fades across the straps.


Photo courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects

The design expression behind the collaboration with Lacoste footwear allows the evolution of dynamic fluid grids. When wrapped around the shape of a foot, these expand and contract to negotiate and adapt to the body ergonomically. In doing so a landscape emerges, undulating and radiating as it merges seamlessly with the body.

/Zaha Hadid

Photo courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects


Photo courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects
A similar pattern is replicated on the sole of the shoe, crafted of moulded rubber, which is designed to reflect points at which the foot naturally exerts pressure. The heel itself is the minimum depth possible in footwear construction, emphasizing the slender and streamlined profile of the design. The unique Zaha Hadid for Lacoste logo appears on the side of the heel and on the in-sock.

Photo courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects

Photo courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects
The most distinguishing design feature of the limited-edition boots is their strap closure system. A discreet piece of pliable metal (similar to a bicycle clip) is encased in the leather strap at its upper-most end. With the flick of a finger this strap coils gently around the leg creating the illusion of an invisible clasp. Thus the closure interacts with the fluidity of the design rather than interrupting it. The men's version closes at ankle height whereas the women's strap continues upwards to secure just below the knee.


Photo courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects

Photo courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects
The shoes are unisex in design; the women's are available in black and purple, whilst the men's come in black and navy. A sleek and sophisticated black box which will package the product will also bear an embossed version of the same logo.

The main shoe line will be appearing in stores worldwide from September 2009. This exclusive collaboration will be highlighted in the store by a suite of bespoke material designed to compliment and enhance the themes and colors of the project.

The limited edition boot version will be available exclusively at such high-end boutiques as Colette in Paris, Dover Street Market in London and 10 Corso Como in Milan in July 2009 as a preview.