Dolce Vita, a high-street shoe model owned by footwear big Steve Madden, is thought for its fashionable sneakers and equipment, however now it’s going to even be recognized for its innovation. The retailer, based in 2001, is launching an on-demand 3D printed footwear providing in cooperation with HILOS, a software program firm specializing in product creation and on-demand workflows.
Readers may do not forget that Dolce Vita mother or father firm Steve Madden already has an established partnership with HILOS. When the partnership was introduced late final yr, the acknowledged plan was to make use of HILOS’ expertise in addition to AM to speed up product growth instances and finally to roll out on-demand shoe manufacturing. Effectively, that point has come and, as the children are saying, we’re right here for it.
The primary product to launch through the Dolce Vita and HILOS partnership is Holis 3D, a sandal whose design is reimagined from a preferred 2024 silhouette. This up to date model of the shoe leverages 3D printing in addition to extra conventional shoe manufacturing, combining a 3D printed outsole and higher with a leather-wrapped footbed.
Obtainable as of at present, Holis 3D is retailing for $130 a pair (a worth akin to its different merchandise) and is accessible in a spread of sizes (ladies’s 6-13) and colours (ivory, gentle sage, gentle yellow and café). The design integrates some basic 3D printed components, together with an intricate lattice design harking back to raffia or lace, however maybe essentially the most progressive factor about Holis 3D is that the sneakers are made to order within the U.S., circumventing many steps within the complicated provide chains related to mass-manufactured footwear. For Dolce Vita, embracing this method means a step in the correct route ecologically talking.
“At Dolce Vita, we’re dedicated to main sustainability by collaborating with rising tech startups and piloting different manufacturing strategies,” commented Kerry Norlin, President of Dolce Vita. “Our partnership with HILOS pushes the boundaries of footwear innovation—leveraging cutting-edge expertise and round, low-waste manufacturing. Trend has the ability to drive actual change, and once we pair that affect with science-backed options like HILOS, we transfer the business ahead. The extra manufacturers that spend money on accountable innovation, the nearer we get to creating sustainability the usual.”
Holis 3D joins a small however rising array of economic 3D printed footwear, together with Adidas’ 4DFWD sneakers and Nike’s just lately launched Nike Air Max 1000. The Dolce Vita sneakers do, in response to the companions, maintain the excellence of being the primary commercially accessible 3D printed sneakers to be manufactured on-demand in america.
Central to this launch is Oregon-based HILOS, whose design-driven platform facilitates the event and manufacturing of footwear designs. Apparently, HILOS’ resolution was the main focus of a 2022 Yale examine (additionally together with provide chain companions BASF, HP and AMT), that investigated the environmental influence of 3D printed sneakers. This examine discovered that by 3D printing sneakers, it was attainable to cut back carbon footprint by 48% and water consumption by 99% in comparison with legacy manufacturing.
“It’s an honor to collaborate with Dolce Vita to reimagine certainly one of their hottest kinds in a 3D printed, on-demand format,” added Elias Stahl, HILOS CEO & Co-Founder. “Our business is at a turning level, and it’s been unimaginable to see such a storied model as Dolce Vita lean into a brand new solution to design and make that’s true to their heritage and craft whereas additionally setting new guidelines for design and manufacturing. It is a really historic launch.”
