Gallery: Here's a Novel Idea: A Mini-Factory for Making Your Own Shoes
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Two European designers have created Don't Run-Beta: an experimental, small-scale manufacturing shop for leather goods.
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At Don't Run-Beta, customers pick out a material and a shoe template, then watch as a laser cutting machine and 3-D printer create shoes on the spot.
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The shoes are assembled without any adhesives, and consist of only five pieces of leather—fewer than the 35 or more pieces typically needed per pair during standard manufacturing.
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Co-founder Juan Montero calls this “controlled waste.” They only buy as much leather as they can store, and don't replenish until they've run out.
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The Don't Run-Beta team sourced the shoe design templates from designer friends, including one who works full time for Camper shoes.
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So far they’ve held a monthlong pop up version of Don’t Run-Beta in Gent, Belgium, and will set up shop again this week at Droog Gallery in Amsterdam.
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