Revolutionizing Footwear: Kong Hau Yin Andree's "To Borrow Arrows with Thatched Boats"

Award-winning design combines traditional techniques with non-traditional materials

The design was inspired by the Chinese idiom "To Borrow Arrows with Thatched Boats," which signifies using another's resources for personal benefit. Kong Hau Yin Andree interpreted this idiom in a unique way, designing a pair of shoes that represent a couple in a fight. Despite their differences, they belong together, much like a pair of shoes.

What sets these shoes apart is their material and construction. They are made with non-traditional materials like woven straw, fishnet knots on strings, bent wood stick, toothpick, wire string, wooden wire, rope, and cork. Despite these unconventional materials, the shoes are fully functional and wearable, made using traditional techniques.

The shoes are not just a fashion statement, but also a story-telling piece. They offer a unique experience to the wearer, embodying an abstract design that narrates a tale. The woven straw, a reused material from the Asian conical hat, adds a touch of tradition and functionality, providing protection from the sun and rain.

The design process wasn't without its challenges. Making the design functional with experimental materials was a significant hurdle. However, Kong Hau Yin Andree successfully created a design that is both direct in its storytelling and practical in its use.

The "To Borrow Arrows with Thatched Boats" design has been recognized for its innovation and creativity, winning the Silver A' Footwear, Shoes and Boots Design Award in 2017. This prestigious award is given to designs that showcase outstanding expertise, innovation, and artistic skill.

In conclusion, Kong Hau Yin Andree's "To Borrow Arrows with Thatched Boats" is a revolutionary design that pushes the boundaries of traditional footwear. It is a testament to the power of storytelling in design and the endless possibilities when traditional techniques meet non-traditional materials.