Where it all began
In 1981, at the age of 17, I started working as a student to become an Orthopedic Shoetechnician. 8 years later I reached that goal and was one of the youngest Orthopedic Shoetechnicians to have graduated.
In 1992, at the age of 28, I decided to become selfemployed and started my own shoestudio.
By that time I have made a few designs of complex mens boots with organicaly shaped paddings.
But it wasn’t until I showed them to the famous shoedesigner Jan Jansen, that I realised I have created something special. In his opinion there were no more than 5 people around that would be able to design AND create this kind of work.
Shortly after that I learned about an upcoming show for experimental shoedesign called Moda Mas. I was convinced they would let me participate on the show, due to Jan Jansens lauditory words.
The opposite happend, they thought my boots were too commercial for the show. Frustrated by this rejection I started drawing and that same evening I created Hommage a Giger and within a few days, HAPEXA.
At the day of the show I brought my drawings with me and showed them to the organisers of the show and they challenged me to make them. If I would succeed I was allowed to participate
In the year that followed I created a collection of six pairs of shoes called THE BEAUTY OF THE BEAST and was allowed to participate in the show.
Since that day I knew I had found my inspiration and it hasn’t left me since.
My second collection is called ALUMANIA. The most challenging design from this collection is ARTUS DUPLEX, it’s entirely made from wood. Each shoe consists of two halves connected by a hinge on the back of the heel. It can be opened by using a key.
My thrid collection TABULA RASA which means clean slate, is much more modest and yet sophisticated. It was triggered by a commision I got from a client. The mission was simply to create a pair of beautyfull shoes for this clients wife. Without boundaries I focused on elegance and inginuity in the way the shoes could be opened and closed. I named the shoes,Terminus Est, loosely translated as the dividing line, where the old ends and the new starts.
The closure of the shoe is hidden in the heel, which can be pulled backwards and turned to the side, allowing the wearer to put on the shoes. By turning the heel upwards, it is automatically pulled back to it’s starting position by a spring.
After that I haven’t made any collections but only stand alone designs.
Two of my designs, ARTUS DUPLEX and DAIDSA were purchased by Gemeente Museum Den Haag
