Guang Chelsea Boots

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Guang is handmade with cowhide as main material and lambskin as lining to emphasize both durability and flexibility. Reflective bindings were stitched on the seams delivering a futuristic feel. Reflective customizable letters on the bootstraps functioning as an eye catching feature also improves visibility in the dark. The distressed Vibram outsole gives a brawny aesthetic, superior traction, and greater comfort, which are unique for high heel chelsea. Together deliver a slick and cohesive design.

Dimensions & Packaging

85 mm x 235 mm x 280 mm each.

Tags

Chelsea Boots, ankle boots, neon yellow, Vibram, reflective, 3M

Production Technology

Handmade from scratch. Including pattern making, material sourcing, and lasting. Constructed by machine sewing. Main material is cowhide. Lining is lambskin. Trims are reflective tape and elastic bands. Outsole is a Vibram brand outsole.

Design Challenge

The challenge is to develop the pattern. To achieve the design vision, most time has been dedicated to making prototypes and to find different solutions to execute the best way of putting all the layers of soles together.

Project Duration

The project started in September 2019 in San Francisco and finished in November 2019.

Operation Flow

The main material used on the body of the boot is a durable cow hide leather with a saturated fluorescent coating. The interior of the boots is made from lamb skin allowing for a soft feel on the foot as well as flexibility to stretch to fit each foot as time goes by. Reflective details improve visibility in the dark, when hit with flash or car light, it will light up. The painted over then deliberate distressed outsole has been sanded down to fit the shoe shape, it gives superior traction and greater comfort, which are unique for high-heel Chelsea boots.

Research

Research was mainly focused on Chelsea boots history, construction and materials.

Inspiration

Chelsea boots although classy, have historically garnered a darker, more conventional design. Guang is Chinese for 'light', it aimed to bring a novel bright, futuristic vantage point to the boot while maintaining its functional features of durability and ease of wear. Guang boasts clean geometric lines, featuring the contradictory of time consuming craftsmanship and boundary challenging philosophy. The bright neon yellow alongside the pointy-toe narrow silhouette delivers a sexy, rebellious yet aesthetically pleasing design.

Image Credits

Image #1: Photographer Damion Le Cappelain 2019
Image #2: Photographer Damion Le Cappelain 2019
Image #3: Photographer Kaiqi Wang 2021
Image #4: Photographer Alejandro Tuzon 2021
Image #5: Photographer Alejandro Tuzon 2021

Colors of Guang Chelsea Boots