brochure Professional Footwear Innovation by Nicoline van Enter

professional footwear innovation 2017 - 2018

a short introduction

SLEM is based in the former town hall of Waalwijk, in the historic city center. The building has been refurbished in a spectacular yet durable way by Doepel Strijkers Architects.

“innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. ” - Steve Jobs -

welcome to slem SLEM (Shoes Leather Education Museum) is an international innovation and training institute for footwear and leather that includes a consulting department, a footwear museum and a training institute that offers full time as well as part time programs on a professional level. SLEM’s aim is to improve the world through shoes. Even though there is a growing human population with an exponential need for footwear this is limited by current material resources, production and distribution processes. This causes an urgent need for meaningful change. Shoes have been made and sold pretty much the same way for the past century. While we appreciate tradition, our aim is to develop innovative sustainable technologies that will involve fewer, recyclable, biodegradable and non-toxic resources applied locally. To achieve this SLEM programs stimulate new ways of thinking about footwear that will open up and improve the industry, involving new solutions and creative opportunities that were not available or thought of before. At SLEM we do all this through research, training and applications of new methods that are suitable for the future. Our Professional Footwear Innovation programs eliminates the typical department divisions between technology, design and business, providing a multi-disciplinary platform for professionals from various backgrounds. The program deals with how to forecast future developments for footwear and how to translate this future vision into profitable and sustainable business and design concepts that unite the creative, ethical, commercial

Investigating better ways of footwear construction is a big part of the program, from new kinds of hand craft to robotics.

and technical dimensions of people and their footwear.

“we cannot solve a problem by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein -

who is this for? SLEM’s Professional Footwear Innovation is meant for anyone who wants to make a profitable and meaningful contribution to the future of the footwear industry. We are looking for companies or individuals who have a passion for footwear and are highly motivated to improve the industry and the environment. Many of our students are experienced individuals, but companies can also actively participate in the program through sponsoring a candidate that was recruited specifically for their needs or by delegating an employee. In all students we look for a creative entrepreneurial spirit, great curiosity for the future and a willingness to learn, work and travel in multi-cultural and multidisciplinary teams. Requirements: This is a post graduate level advanced program, so we do recommend that you either have relevant work experience or a bachelor degree in design, technology or business related studies. We also require a sufficient level of English, which means a level that is equal to at least CEF C1 and preferably CEF C2, which equals an IELTS score between 7-9.

after SLEM SLEM’s Professional Footwear Innovation prepares you to positively impact the industry, wether it is by starting your own innovative footwear company, consult or improve your current position. Our practical approach has proven to be very successfull because 100% of our alumni are working in a high-level position in the footwear industry directly related to product development or business innovation. Some are even recruited by companies while still in the program. About 35% of our alumni are running their own innovative footwear

Piles of EVA waste outside an insole factory in China; one of the issues that urgently needs a solution.

brand or consulting company! You will find an overview of some of our alumni in the back of this brochure. SLEM also has its own talent pool for alumni, which actively proposes its graduates for professional consulting projects.

general information selection procedure

Step 3. Interview The last step is the final selection round, which is a personal conversation with one or more of our faculty or staff. This can take place on campus or online should you live too far away to visit SLEM in person.

For each Professional Footwear Innovation program we only accept 10 candidates, so there is a selection procedure. We run two programs per year: a spring intake (April) and a fall intake (October). There is a rolling application policy and all applications are handled in order of arrival, so the sooner you send in your application the sooner you know if you are accepted. If you wait too long the desired edition might be full!

To apply please follow the three steps below. Step 1. Apply Start by filling out the application form, which you will also find on our website and follow the instructions. All applications need to be in English. If you have prior design experience or education, please include a digital portfolio even if it does not contain footwear related projects.

Step 2. Define your project All students carry out a personal development project during the program. This has to be a project that focuses on some kind of meaningful innovation for shoes, in other words: how can you create a, technology, material and/or a business model that is more functional, sustainable or provides another kind of real added value. Please let us know what your objectives are with the program and what project you would like to carry out. We can also help you find the right direction if you do not have a very detailed idea yet. You will find several examples of previous graduation projects on the final pages of the brochure. If you would like to carry out a project for your employer or if you are considering sending a student on behalf of your company, please check the details on page 9.

SLEMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professional footwear innovation. individual package tuition fee: 12.950 euros

payment The tuition for the program can be paid upfront or in three instalments. Please note that your application is not final, and your place in the program not confirmed, until you have paid the enrolment fee (20% of the tuition fee; 2.590 euros). Before you can move on to the next trimester, you must have paid the tuition for that trimester. Payments can be done by bank transfer, we do not accept credit cards or cheques

Including 21% VAT, which might not apply to everyone!

costs The tuition fee for SLEMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Professional Footwear Innovation individuals, for the duration of 9 months, is 12.950 euros. This includes 21% VAT; please note that according to Dutch law VAT also applies to foreign candidates, unless they follow the program on behalf of a company. This includes: - all courses and mandatory materials in the Netherlands, China and Italy

certificate and employment Upon successful completion of the program you will receive a SLEM certificate, but more importantly, you will have your own company and/or will be making a positive impact in your current one. We have an excellent track record as all of our alumni are working in the footwear industry or have their own enterprise. Often candidates already begin working while still in the program in the last trimester. There is an overview of our alumni on page 20 and 21 should you wish further information on their stories.

student housing

- mentoring for the graduation project In Waalwijk we have rooms available right across from the institute, providing Not included are:

space for a maximum of ten candidates. The student house offers fully

- housing and food in The Netherlands, China and Italy

furnished rooms with shared bathrooms, kitchen and washing machine. The

- all travel costs for excursions, including the trips to China and Italy.

cost for a room varies between 400-450 euros per month, including electricity

- visa for China and/or Europe if needed

and Wi-Fi. Should you want to reserve a room, please mention this in your

- health and liability insurance (these are mandatory under Dutch law)

application. We handle requests in order of arrival.

- computers and software! Please bring your own laptop (PC or Mac) with a

During the China and Italy trips candidates will have to arrange their own

fully working current version of Microsoft Office* and Adobe Creative Suite**

housing. SLEM will suggest options based on budget preferences.

- any extra materials you may want to purchase * & **: we require students to have this software, but do not teach classes in this, since many participants already have knowledge of these programs. Should you want classes in Adobe Creative Suite specifically for footwear, we can offer these in the evening or on weekends for an extra charge.

Finally, this amount guarantees that the assignment will be finished within the

SLEM’s professional footwear innovation. company package

9 months of the program. SLEM is a training institute and students should be

consulting & training fee: 25.000 euros

find examples in the back of this brochure. We have found that the company

21% VAT is only applicable for Dutch companies

of a much higher level than graduate students, whilst keeping R&D costs low for

allowed to fail, yet we do understand that this risk of failure is not in the interest of the company. So should the student fail, SLEM’s professional consultants will take over and finish the project as requested. So far we have carried out projects for a variety of industry leaders. You will package is a real win-win situation, attracting experienced candidates that are the company.

company package advantages

Company projects are handled confidentially if required, signing a mutual NDA.

Since a growing number of companies asked to have innovation projects carried out by our students, we now offer the possibility to recruit a student that has the right background to handle a specific project or to enroll an employee in the program.

sponsored a student, using the project as a marketing tool.

However, many companies decide to publish the results and the fact that they

costs The costs of for the company package are 25.000 euros. This is excluding 21% VAT, but this only applies to Dutch companies. The amount includes tuition and the extra recruitment and consulting hours of

They will follow the same classes as individual students, but will apply them

SLEM’s professional team.

directly to the company project. The final five months they work on the project

It does not include the student’s housing, travel and living expenses. We

full time, mentored by our professional consultants and expert teachers,

highly recommend that the company pays for these as well, since it will

either in our own shoe labs and/or at the company or factory.

greatly increase the chance of finding an experienced student with the right background that will see the program and the project as a next step in their

The company package includes an extra fee for consulting by SLEM’s own

career.

team of professionals. This has three reasons: First of all we define a project brief together with the company and actively recruit

final deliverables for your company

a student for that project, just like you would recruit staff, attracting someone with the right background and prior experience. Some companies employ the

•

student upon graduation, but that is not mandatory.

form of a project that you own and can actuate

• Furthermore, the extra fee allows us to partially take over the role of company mentor. Most companies do not have the time to mentor a student regularly,

an industry-ready answer to your initial innovation question, in the a well-trained footwear innovation expert that could optionally carry the project forward at the company after the program has finished

•

a competitive, future forward position in the market

which is usually one of the reasons why they are not doing the project in-house.

method

The interior of the Waalwijk campus is inspired by current questions about sustainability in the leather industry. It was painted in the light blue colour of chrome tanning, also called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wet blueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, yet all furniture is made of wood and veg tan leather.

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“our business with the future is to improve it, not to predict it - at least not infallibly.” - Edward Cornish -

method SLEM’s method stands out from any other because of its unique international, practical and personal approach that ensures that all our candidates achieve their goals.

personal development plan This is an innovation program and real innovation takes time. That is why we maximize the time that each candidate has for their own project. As soon as candidates have been accepted, before the start of the program, we enter into a series of conversations - in person or through Skype - to determine what their dreams and goals are. These are then translated into a Personal Development Plan (PDP). In the first three months this can be fairly broad and can also still be changed, but after that the PDP becomes more detailed and determines the focus of the candidate throughout the program. Every candidate will apply each class directly to their PDP; so even though in the same class, they each apply the acquired knowledge to their own project.

learning what is necessary The PDP also determines which courses each candidate needs to follow. During the first three months the program focuses on different subjects through intensive weeks. On Mondays there is the ‘knowing about’ class, which is mandatory for all candidates. The rest of the week is spent on ‘knowing how’ classes, which are only mandatory if hands-on knowledge is needed for that subject. For instance, if you have a business background and do not want to be a designer, you only need to follow the ‘knowing

At SLEM we use various kinds of brainstorming exercises to help define future opportunities for footwear innovation.

about’ class of 3D footwear design. In this class you will learn what different 3D footwear design software packages are on the market, what they are

§§

used for, how they compare and how much they cost, so that you know what

There is also the opportunity to represent your own company or SLEM at

skills to look for when you want to hire someone for 3D shoe design.

various international trade shows and events, where you further build your

Yet if you want to be a designer yourself, then you need to be able to

network by speaking for and with other industry professionals.

actually do 3D design for footwear, so in that case you also follow the

The travel part of the program also increases the network opportunities as it

‘knowing how’ classes during the rest of the week. Whenever you are not

takes place in three leading footwear regions.

following class, you are actively working on your Personal Development Plan,

The area around Waalwijk houses about 250 footwear companies and

doing research and prototyping for your project.

we visit the main footwear regions of both Italy and China, meeting a wide variety of companies during excursions as well as after hours at social

not reinventing the wheel The entire program has a strong practical approach, aiming to create meaningful innovation without reinventing the wheel. In the first three months we open your mind to all kinds of innovative thinking about footwear, teaching you how to forecast future opportunities and discussing new sustainable business models, designs and technologies. After that we go to Italy and China to experience how the industry works now. This order of events ensures that you will be able to look at the industry with an open mind, yet with an informed view of what is already happening.

events.

innovative social entrepreneurship SLEM consistently stimulates innovative social entrepreneurship and enables candidates to build up a full project or company during the program. We imagine that in the near future most people will work on projects in international, flexible teams of independent free-lancers and entrepreneurs, at SLEM this is the future that we are actively creating. Besides their PDP we encourage candidates to learn from each other’s strengths and to work, live and travel together, which requires reliance, some teamwork, honest

building your network

feedback, project and business management, time management and professional attitude.

Throughout the program there are continual opportunities to build and

All expertise, skills and attitude gained during the program come together in

increase your professional network. Several classes and seminars of the

the graduation project, which can encompass creating a new material or

program are also open to external professionals. This means that your

manufacturing process and/or a new product or business concept that will

colleagues are also CEOs, designers, marketing managers, retailers etc.

innovate the footwear industry in a meaningful way. The graduation project

Furthermore, courses are taught by a wide range of international guest

can be for an existing company, or you can start your own, either individually

lecturers – all industry experts - each bringing in a huge network of their own.

or with a colleague.

SLEM’s consulting department is involved in highly innovative projects for companies from around the world who visit SLEM regularly and often also meet with the candidates then. Sometimes we match a participant with a consulting project as part of their PDP.

program

SLEM functions as a think tank where exchanges and knowledge are encouraged, therefore there are no typical classrooms but workspaces and labs. Spaces are set up based on the activity.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;the mission of design thinking is to translate observations into insights and insights into products and services that will improve lives.â&#x20AC;? - Tim Brown -

program The Professional Footwear Innovation consists of four parts: The first twelve weeks take place in Europe, ten weeks in the Netherlands and two weeks in Italy (European trimester). Then there are four weeks in China. The final eighteen weeks can be in the Netherlands or in a region that is relevant to your specific graduation project.

april 24, 2017 - july 14, 2017 european trimester october 2, 2017 - december 22, 2017 european trimester In the first twelve weeks of the program you will be exposed to new ideas and opportunities for the footwear industry. Each course week focuses on a different subject, such as: forecasting, lab orientation, concept development, innovative business models, sustainable business, sustainable design, 3D design and wearable technology. Two of these weeks are held in Italy. Before the start of the program we determine which courses are mandatory and relevant to your personal development plan. There is also independent work time set aside. However we plan various excursions to several companies that are involved in creating all kinds of meaningful innovation throughout Europe. The purpose of the Italian excursion is to show high quality and different footwear and leather production. We will visit veg tan tanneries with water purification facilities, factories of luxury brands and bespoke shoemakers. Yet we will also meet with high-tech partners of SLEM, such as Atomlab

The thought process is just as important as the end result; candidates can sketch out their train of thought on paper.

in Vigevano, where we will see automation and robotics for footwear manufacturing.

“in theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. but, in practice, there is.” - Jan L. A. van de Snepscheut -

july 17 – august 11, 2017 china (various locations) january 8 - february 2, 2018 china (various locations) The second leg of the program takes place in the area of Guangzhou, one of China’s largest cities and the centre of the Pearl River Delta, the region that houses most footwear production. Here we follow an intensive four-week program - see details below. After each company visit there is an evaluation and feedback session of what has been seen and how it could possibly be improved. The effects of pollution, climate change and mindless consumerism are more apparent in China than in Europe, so candidates realise even more the urgency of creating meaningful, sustainable change. In the first week of the program the focus is on the Chinese domestic market, one of the biggest growth markets in the world. We look at how it differs from other markets and how it might develop in the future. We visit a range of companies, from young Chinese designers to large online retailers. The second week focuses on materials, from all kinds of leather, to synthetics, textiles and outsole materials. There will be several theory classes and after those we will visit tanneries, textile mills and outsole companies to get a deeper insight into materials. During the third week the emphasis will be on footwear construction, through both theory classes and company visits. We will go to a range of footwear factories, from bespoke to very large scale and will look at the production of all kinds of footwear, from sports to casual and fashion in all price ranges. The final week focuses on innovation, also looking outside the footwear industry. It will partially take place in Shenzhen, China’s centre of wearable technology, 3D printing and biotech. Please note that you need to arrange your own visa for China before you arrive in The Netherlands, since it can only be obtained from your home country!

“quality is remembered long after price is forgotten”. - Gucci Family Slogan -

august - december, 2017 anywhere in the world graduation day december 22, 2017 february - june, 2018 anywhere in the world graduation day june 8, 2018 In the final stage of the program you will focus full time on the personal development project that you will have been working on since the beginning. Some candidates choose to start their own company, while others work on an innovative project for an existing company. Both options are possible, as long as the project also meets SLEM’s criteria for meaningful innovation. Where you work on your project depends on you; many candidates choose to come back to SLEM’s headquarters in Waalwijk, so they can use the labs and pick the brain of SLEM’s institute, but it is also possible to finalize the project elsewhere or return to your home country. In that case you will receive tutoring online by SLEM and if needed we will get you in touch with one or more mentors from your region. You will be required to return to Waalwijk for graduation, where you will have to present your project to a professional jury. If your project is classified and requires a non-disclosure agreement it is possible to present behind closed doors to SLEM’s instructors only. During graduation the group project of the edition will also be presented so that all candidates are able to make an active contribution without sensitive information being shared.

We aim to combine the best of both worlds: high-tech and hand craft. (Image of Mario Bemer’s workshop in Florence)

slem instructors

At SLEM all classes are taught by renowned experts from the field and rather than having one professor per trimester, you will have many. Here you see how Nike legend Mike Friton fascinates us with his class in dynamic footwear materials, given on location in Hong Kong. See the next page for some of our professors.

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nicoline van enter

yassine salihine

founder and creative director of SLEM

senior consultant at SLEM

Nicoline is a world-renowned footwear forecaster

Together with Nicoline he is responsible for SLEM’s

and consultant, currently she is the creative director of

professional consulting department. He also lectures

SLEM and teaches mind blowing forecasting classes

concept development and critiques the Personal

during the first week of the program.

Development Projects.

annaluisa franco

diane becker

head of training and professional development at SLEM

SLEM’s representative in Italy

Her tasks include management of full time and part

Diane headed the footwear design department at

time courses, application procedure and the Personal

Polimoda and worked with many leading footwear

Development Projects.

companies, such as Camper, Ferragamo, Pancaldi, Tods and Ferrari. As SLEM’s representative in Italy she arranges the schedule and manages the network.

david hsieh

daniel bailey

SLEM’s representative in China

guest lecturer on design and entrepreneurship

David has worked for several international companies such as Both and Adidas, now he has his own studio

He is the founder of the footwear design digital

in Dongguan. As SLEM’s representative in China he

magazine ConceptKicks.com & co-founder of

arranges the schedule and teaches some technical

footwear design + development agency, The

classes.

Conceptkicks Lab llc. Through his class he helps designers bring their concepts to life.

sanne van den dungen

eva klabalova

sustainable business lecturer

instructor on advanced pattern making

An expert in circular economy and working for EPEA

She has her own consulting company and works for

to support companies such as Puma to get cradle to

YNOT as head of product design. At SLEM she trains

cradle certification. At SLEM she trains professionals at

professionals in both traditional and high-tech shoe

sustainable business cases.

making techniques.

marloes ten bhĂśmer

mike friton

instructor on sustainable design

guest lecturer on dynamic footwear materials and non-traditional last construction

A ground breaking designer and researcher in the field of footwear. She fuses artistic and technological experiment in order to redefine shoes and to create

A sneaker legend and one of the founders of Nikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

new high-tech methods of construction. She shares

Innovation Kitchen, Mike is the man behind iconic styles

her unique approach in her classes about concept

such as the Nike Presto and the Nike woven. Currently

development and sustainable design.

he runs his own design and prototyping studio out of Portland.

troy nachtigall

lorenzo masini

wearable technology and 3D printing guest lecturer

3D modelling rhino guest lecturer

With a broad background in fashion and technology,

He is a product designer and 3D modelling expert

from designing for Calvin Klein and Fendi, he is

who worked as a 3D modeller and engineer for AGDS

pushing the boundaries of wearable technology and

studio and as a professor at IED in Florence. At SLEM

3d printing. Working on his PhD in textile thinking, which

he takes candidates through the process of modelling

involves smart textiles, he mentors professionals who

a full shoe and creating printable files for prototyping

want to specialize in this field.

or wearable 3D printing.

slem alumni

You can find profiles of some of our alumni on the next page.

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leon witherow

jordi montaner

footwear designer 1 at Nike WHQ

innovation designer - 3D knitting at K-TECH

He studied at the Royal Melbourne institute of technology and came to SLEM to pursue his passion

Trained as a professional dancer Jordi fell in love with the

for well-designed sneakers. At first Nike had turned him

idea of improving dance shoes. He arrived at SLEM with

down for a traineeship, but then asked him to come work

this objective in mind and from there he began pushing

for them after seeing his work for SLEM. Currently he is still

the boundaries of innovation forwards within the footwear

a Nike designer in Portland.

industry. He already started his current job at K-TECH while he was still in the program.

eva klabalova

miller bryant

independent footwear designer, product developer

marketing and sales, footwear at Stahl Arriving at SLEM from Italy, where he learned traditional

She studied footwear design in Czech Republic and

shoe making, he aimed at learning how to bring footwear

Israel and came to SLEM to learn more about shoe

production to the future. Currently he is working at Stahl,

innovation. She graduated for Atomlab in Italy, designing

market leader in tanning chemicals and finishes for

the first shoe that is made by robots, and now works as a

leather and syntherics, creating a bridge between their

lecturer for SLEM and a successful freelance designer.

technical teams and luxury fashion brands.

renĂŠ medel

katherine scott

3D product innovator for at Birkenstock

3D product designer

He arrived at SLEM after studies in industrial design

She came at SLEM through a company project for

and 3D modelling and graduated with a ground

Nimco Made4you, developing a system for 3D printing

breaking concept to print lasts in-house, an ideal

outsoles for orthopaedic footwear in the factory and is

solution for starting designers. Now he has a full time

currently training their team for this.

job as a 3D innovator at Birkenstock and occasionally

She has become a true 3d printing expert for footwear

consults for SLEM.

and will also be teaching courses for SLEM.

helga rán sigurdárdottir

ruben lekkerkerker

footwear innovator and podiatrist

concept developer at Red Rag

She came to SLEM to improve the world of orthopaedics

He graduated with his own zero-waste sneaker brand

by working on a better system for last making. During her

RUIT. Companies soon noticed his unique creative

internship at PLT she developed a fully cirular system

ingenuity and now he has a very successful consulting

using industrial wax that is now being evaluated for

company called KerKerKer, working for Red Rag and

further implementation.

others.

mathieu hagelaars

rachael noon

owner at STUDIO HAGEL

concept creator at Nike

He graduated with a great concept for a modular

She graduated with a professional cheerleading shoe as

upcycling kit for footwear. Now, barely two years

part of a traineeship for Mike Friton and is now working as

later, he runs his own successful independent design

a concept creator for Nike Innovation.

studio out of Amsterdam, working for brands like HUB footwear, and making a name for himself with his “Maker Monday” interpretations of iconic sports shoes.

petra beins

franny odziana

owner of ZOUTBEACH

footwear product developer at Wolverine

Petra developed her own brand concept from scratch,

She set out to be a technical developer for shoes, and

including a ground breaking business plan for pop-

today she does exactly that, working internationally for

up stores on unique locations. She also developed

Wolverine Worldwide.

innovative materials, such a salt-based finish that makes leather even more beautiful when worn on the sea shore.

alumni work

At SLEM we do not just do design; candidates get a great variety of assignments trhoughout the course. However, we do strongly believe in prototyping as a thinking and design tool, even for people who are not designers. This sneaker prototype was made by Petra Beins within one day!

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thinking = protyping

SLEM offers all kinds of work spaces to candidates, from an in-house footwear factory (top right) to a print lab (top left) and a big studio (centre). The school is open as late as needed, so usually there are always people working on ideas. Even people with a business background get to learn how to enhance their thinking with quick prototyping.

images: sharieta berghuis

combining tech + craft

SLEM is one of the regular participants in Craft the Leather, a veg tan leather workshop, excursion and contest for leading design schools from around the world, organized by the Consorzio Vero Cuoio from Italy. In 2015 we selected student Eva Klabalova and she came up with a spectacular new way to use veg tan outsole leather vertically, in a way that is strong enough to stand on. She added a detachable 3D printed outsole, ingeniously combining 3D printed horizontal layers with hand crafted vertical layers without using any glue.

innovative construction

SLEM connects candidates and companies for innovative projects: this prototype of a wearable, versatile shoe with a detachable platform was designed for the 100th anniversary of German shoe company Deichmann by SLEM candidate Lenka Markova and was made by students of the Deutsche Schuhfachschule in Pirmasens. Together they developed an intelligent solution for the sole plate, which was then 3D printed in metal.

made by robots

At SLEM we push the boundaries of footwear manufacturing, so we actively investigate new methods of construction that will make production more sustainable, faster, more cost effective etc. Eva Klabalova graduated for Italian machinery manufacturer Atomlab, designing a shoe that can be made entirely by an ABB Yumi robot. She also designed the workflow, including functional 3D printed lasts, and the whole concept was recently demonstrated at the Simac show in Italy, where it astounded the professional visitors!

advanced 3d printing

A lot of candidates come to SLEM because of our advanced level of 3D printing. We can print fully wearable shoes and orthotics and are now exploring new areas, such as 3D printing on textiles or even to encase wearable technology, such as LED lights and sensors. We are also starting up a biolab for bioprinting technologies that can create alternatives for leather. SLEM canidates - such Vito Loverre (centre) - get full freedom to use all 3D printing facilities.

wearable technology

The Internet of Things offers great opportunities for footwear, but we also find lots of useless gadgets. How can we use wearable technology to create real added value? Marijke van Geijn gives a great example with her graduation project. She developed a fully functional sensor system and online app for diabetics that can detect whether a wound might be forming in the foot way before any real damage occurs. She now has her own consulting company specialized in health care applications for footwear.

creative upcycling

Sustainability is a very important aspect of the program. This inspired Mathieu Hagelaars to create a concept that encourages people to get creative with their shoes, recycling upper panels from their old shoes or creating new upper panels by recycling other materials that they would otherwise throw away. The panels can then be used to play with the look of the iconic, classic boot through an ingenious sole system and back loop. He presents the shoes as a complete kit, including tools and instructions.

innovative functions

SLEM candidates are encouraged to think of new meaningful functionalities for footwear and to develop full concepts, including extensive background research, product development and marketing. This is an example by Leon Witherow, who designed sneakers for urban activists, incorporating gas masks, webcams and eye-flushing kits for tear gas victims among other useful elements that can be adjusted to their specific needs.

footwear construction

Before you can innovate, you first need to understand the current situation. That is why we visit a very wide range of companies in China and Italy to understand the current state of footwear and leather production and the challenges that should be met in the future. We make sure that the companies we visit are already on the forefront of technology, so that after each visit we can brainstorm about how to improve the current situation, without reinventing the wheel.

overwhelming experiences

Visiting China can be an overwhelming experience for the candidates, since it is not only a different culture from what they are used to, it is also a country of extremes: from having classes at the brand new Innovation Tower by Zaha Hadid at Hong Kongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Polytechnic university, to visiting polluting factories in back streets filled with piles of garbage, and from deluxe high-fashion shopping malls to blatant copy-cat products in cheap material markets.

presenting & networking

Learning how to present yourself and how to expand and use your network are also important aspects of the program. Candidates are required to present their personal projects for an audience on various occasions, for instance during our own SLEMinars and at trade shows in both Europe and China. This is a great way to meet people who can help them move further in their chosen direction. Often candidates have found their future employers and business partners in this way.

fabrieknl

stahl

regional partners

tractus 3D

new shoe company

jj footwear

textile museum tilburg

greve

pj klerx / Red-Rag

SLEMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s location in Waalwijk has huge advantages. Not only is it one of the main footwear hubs in Europe with about 250 shoe and leather companies, it is also part of the smartest region in the world, according to international think tank Intelligent Community Forum. The Dutch region came ahead of regions around Seoul and Silicon Valley. Logically, SLEM is partnering closely with local companies. For instance, we can use Stahlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high-tech leather finishing lab for our classes, we can make prototypes at the factories of Greve and New Shoe Company and receive great sponsorships from PJ Klerx/Red-Rag.

the next SLEM Professional of Footwear Innovation will open its doors in April 2017. see you then! SLEM Waalwijk Raadhuisplein 1-2 5141 KG Waalwijk The Netherlands info@slem.nl phone +31 416 757630 www.slem.nl

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