ALIVESHOES: Bringing art to life

Today we’ve discovered ALIVESHOES, an interesting project that crosses the boundary between contemporary art and fashion. Using shoes that look a little like the Puma First Round sneakers, artists have created unusual installations, sculptures and stories. They’ve also created unique and wearable footwear, that look set to achieve cult status.

The project brings together artistic expression, fashion and sustainability, whilst enabling everyday people to participate by buying the shoes used in each artist's work.

Artists from around the world have used a specific number of ALIVESHOES in the creation of each work of art. Each pair is given a unique identification number and a copy of the artist's original sketch is stitched inside the tongue of each shoe. When the artist has completed their work, the installation is deconstructed and each shoe is prepared for distribution.

Created with the knowledge and traditions of shoemaking passed down in Italy's Marche region, the trainers promise excellent quality. ALIVESHOES are also made from sustainable materials. Untreated organic cotton, leather and cork are used for the upper part of the shoe, whilst ecologically scented foam rubber and fully biodegradable TPU polyurethane is used for the sole. To minimise the environmental impact even further, all leather is hand-coloured ensuring there's no additional waste.

What’s more is that ALIVESHOES believe you should add your own value and set your own price when buying. By choosing a fair price for the trainers you wish to buy, you're helping to create new artwork in the future as well as supporting non-profit organisations.

The general public can even get involved by submitting their own sketch ideas for art installations using the shoes. You don’t have to be an artist, a sculptor or a curator – every sketch is considered. Feeling creative?

Facebook, Twitter and YouTube groups have been created to let people share their views and ideas about the project. Using social media the brand is connecting people with the artists as well as with other people who’ve bought the shoes.

What do you think? Would you wear these trainers? If so, how much would you be willing to pay?

It’s hard to put a price on both art and eco-friendly goods, so we wonder how this will be reflected in sales. I’d certainly feel bad offering a price that’s too low for them to cover their costs, but would they sell the shoes for anything less than they are worth - or would they send me an email back saying ‘thanks but no thanks’ or ‘haha, try again love’?

Either way we think these shoes are going to cause a bit of a stir. We love the concept and we certainly want a pair. In white or canary yellow? Maybe both. Check out the promotional video here.

Find out more www.aliveshoes.com