Florsheim Shoe Co. x Pharrell Williams
Footwear Design Concept
About The Project
During my internship at Weyco Group, I was tasked with a designing a collaborative, footwear concept between Florsheim Shoe Co. and an artist of my choice: Pharrell Williams. The goal of the project is to use brand strong identity from both brand and artist to present a new view on the possibilities of the brand. This design combined the quality of Florsheim Shoe Co. & the innovative spirit of Pharrell to challenge what a dress shoe can be.
Brand Synergy
Music artist and fashion connoisseur Pharrell Williams has always been years ahead. From his signature sound to his streetwear line, Pharrell has found a way to innovate and cultivate urban culture to what it is today from luxurious styles to sonic sounds of Virginia.
Coveted
Progressive
Timless
Florsheim Shoe Co. was founded in 1892 and has a foundation in making quality dress shoes. These timeless pairs helped soldiers in both World Wars have footwear and create job opportunities after the war. Today they’re contuing to focus on quality and sustainable footwear.
Innovative
Imperishable
Prominent
Inspiration: Ferrari Enzo
An iconic moment in Pharrell’s career is when he purchased a very are Ferrari Enzo and drove it around Virginia. This was a pivotal moment within Hip Hop culture at the time breaking barriers and put Virginia on the map.
Seeing Sounds: Synesthesia
Pharrell has a neurological condition called Synesthesia where stimulating one sense automatically triggers an experience in another, causing sensory crossovers like seeing colors when hearing music. By harnessing this superpower, the nylon webbing uses Pharrell’s top songs as different colors and hues to visually see sound to connect with Pharrell as and artist.
Florsheim x PW: Enzo
About the Design
This footwear design features carbon print features and an all black silhouette with red accents to pay homage to Pharrell’s rare Farrari Enzo. The ethos of the quality of Pharrell’s taste and Florsheim’s Footwear makes the perfect synergy.
Sole Design
The sole unit is a moulded shell with Comfortech foam pods in key comfort areas and are suspended in the heel, arch and rear toe areas. This compliments the innovative nature of Pharrell and focus on design of the future.
Details
Rear Branding & Sole Details
Outsole, Shroud & Cushioning Details
Mixed-Material Shroud
Mixed-Material Upper
EVA & Textile Insole
Woven Strobel Board
Carbon Fiber Plate
EVA Comfortech Foam
TPR Rubber Sole
Design Process
Upper Construction
Tape-Up
Underlay
Overlay
Colorway Variants
Bape
Inspired by Pharrell’s love for Bape
In Search Of
Inspired by the CD of N.E.R.D.’s In Search of album
Track
Inspired by Pharrell’s recording label, Star Trak
Unity
Inspired by Pharrell’s use of inclusivity and unity
Other Sketches
