Students from the BA in Fashion Design in the Milan Campus of NABA, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti, reinterpreted the most iconic and rebellious boots of the renowned English brand Dr. Martens.
In a special project in collaboration with Dr. Martens, the first conceived and realised by the brand to support the young creativity of future designers in an Italian academy, four classes from the Fashion Setting course of the BA in Fashion Design (Styling & Communication Specialisation) had the opportunity to work on a legendary fashion creation and innovate it through the most contemporary themes and inspirations.
Under the guidance of the lecturers Ivan Bontchev, Annie Lerner and Alberto Zanoletti, NABA students reinterpreted the rebellious spirit of Dr. Martens footwear, applying their creativity to the most current topics of today: from environmental sustainability in fashion to potential applications of Artificial Intelligence in future styling.
The brand's most iconic silhouettes, such as the cherry red 1460 and the 1461, became the blank canvas for these young creatives to express themselves and convey impactful, both individual and collective, messages, working with eco-friendly and cutting-edge materials and techniques at the intersection of fashion, art, and communication. From the denunciation of racism to the celebration of underground culture and the rebellious aesthetics of historical Punk and Ska movements, the legendary lines of the boots were redesigned by the creativity of young talents. The iconic boots were transformed into a powerful and surprising tool for awareness, freedom of expression, and social change, challenging every stereotype and prejudice for a more inclusive future.
From the initial concept to the final execution, NABA students faced all the steps of the process involved in creating Dr. Martens shoe models to bring their original and visionary creations to life. Since the 1960s, Dr. Martens boots have become a symbol of rebellion and empowerment, with their simple lines perfect for customization and the powerful attitude of street fashion. With bold soles enlarged with silicone foam and romantic, dreamy decorations with feathers, ribbons, and pearls, the students demonstrated an extraordinary ability to understand and reinterpret the rebellious brand par excellence, now at the forefront of promoting the creativity and talent of young designers worldwide.
With the mentorship of NABA and the Dr. Martens team, the students, divided into several groups, developed prototypes of their creations and carried out professional styling and shooting sessions. The selected winning projects were then presented to the industry press with a dedicated communication campaign.
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