Architecture Meets Footwear

After much waiting and debating they are finally being launched! Postponed since last year, the Zaha Hadid Melissa shoes are about to hit the shelves. Hadid, who has previously collaborated with fashion brands such as Chanel, Neil Barrett and recently Lacoste, was commissioned by legendary Brazilian footwear label Melissa to apply her unique architectural touch to a pair of limited edition shoes. Melissa, famous for its sustainable development, zero waste and easily recyclable plastic shoes, has also teamed up with Vivienne Westwood in the past.

The "space" shoes evoke Hadid's buildings, with a rounded toe and fluid lines as straps. "The fluidity of our design combined perfectly the technology of Melissa's plastic, injecting pieces without closures or seals," says Hadid. "There is an implicit sense of lightness that blurs the boundary between body and object."

The jelly shoes are available in either black or silver and will be launched on August 15 in Hong Kong. The shoes will be stocked at Lane Crawford and D-Mop on Kingston Street. In Singapore the shoes will launch on August 20 at Blackjack. In Thailand they will be available at Footwork Noir, Zen, Central Chidlom and Siam Paragon early August. Isetan will stock the shoes on Tokyo early August.

Vivienne Tang