Foldable Footwear from UNIFOLD

Sometimes the most innovative designs come from a surprisingly simple idea. That’s definitely the case with UNIFOLD, a conceptual footwear collection by Pratt Institute graduate Horatio Yuxin Han, where every piece is cut from a single piece of foam rubber.

The construction is origami-like: the shoes arrive flat, and you fold them into functional, 3D shoes at home. The whole process looks easier than your standard IKEA flat pack, and creates a sturdy, wearable shoe that’s lightweight but still practical.

It’s hoped that they could eventually be distributed in areas where many people can’t afford regular shoes, or at least make footwear more affordable for everyone. In theory, anyone could download a pattern and cut it out of any material they chose – leather, suede or even fur.

Right now, though, the idea is that people could order the flat sheets and then fold the shoes at home. Minimal packaging, less shipping costs, and fewer materials required. The ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) material that Han and his collaborator, Professor Kevin Crowley, work with is even recyclable. So unlike other fashionable pieces that you might splurge on, you’ll simply be able to toss them in the green bin, guilt free, when you’re done with them.

For now Han has stuck to two designs: a minimalist slipper and a flat sandal, with cut-outs at the toe and a wraparound strap. But if UNIFOLD takes off there’s the potential to create, store and ship more styles than any other shoe stockist, because it would all be so much more affordable.

We’re hoping that it makes the jump into mass production soon. Would you wear foldable, recyclable shoes next summer?