Germany What: Shoes | Men, Women | Style: Stylish, modern design, sustainable, handcrafted | Category: Established Ethical Talent
In 1991, the Trippen adventure begins: while pottering around an old lasts factory, Angela Spieth and Michael Oehler discover wooden soles from the seventies.
In 1992, after intense weeks of experimentation, they present their first 60 shoes in a Berlin art gallery.
The exhibition is a great success, especially since well-known designers, including Claudia Skoda and Wolfgang Joop, order the shoes for their catwalk shows.
About the concept. Rather than simply modifying existing designs or following short-lived trends, Trippen searches for new solutions. Inspired by upcoming developments, the designs take fashion trends on board, but resist their throwaway nature.
The shapes of lasts and sole units as well as the types of materials used remain unchanged. Repeatedly coming up with new ideas based on the same principles requires a great deal of creativity. The challenge lies in the pattern technique.
Over the years, Trippen has developed its own characteristic style in this regard that has nothing in common with traditional shoe patterns. These unique pattern experiments form the basis of every collection.
Angela Spieth/ Michael Oehler: We find the inspiration for our collections through travels abroad, also from architecture, art or nature.
And by frequently asking ourselves what we feel is missing in our collections or in terms of footwear in general….
Angela Spieth: “Yen” is an absolute favourite, as it is a beautiful example of a reduction to the essential.
Michael Oehler: “Space” is a current favourite of mine. The upper looks very simple with its folds in the quarters and in the tip, the construction behind it, with its only few seams, is actually quite challenging.
Angela Spieth/ Michael Oehler: Some of the sole shapes are inspired by traditional Asian wooden sandals.
Others are actually rather inspired by sculpture or architecture. In Japan, for example, our designs are not as much received as “Asian” as people here often think.
Angela Spieth/ Michael Oehler: Designer is actually still a dream job for us, so we do not often think about what else we would like to be…
In our more adventurous moments – maybe spies?
Angela Spieth: around 300,
Michael Oehler: around 200 – both including collector’s items and research objects…
Angela Spieth: The hour after dawn has broken, when the light is soft and the atmosphere quiet and peaceful…
Michael Oehler: My favourite moment of the day is the moment when you wake up and the sun is shining.