Play it again, Zaha!

FASHION_Today every fashion-design magazine talks about it: the new limited edition haute couture shoe designed by Zaha Hadid.

Zaha Hadid, an architect with a passion for shoes, and Rem D Koolhaas, the original shoe architect (not to be confused with the architect, whose nephew is), agreed to collaborate on the design of a shoe with no pre-conceptions and ignore all the rules to create an entirely new form of shoe.

The revolutionary design of the NOVA shoe combines innovative materialization and ergonomic considerations with the dynamism of Hadid’s architectural language to convey an inherent sense of movement; revealing the experimentation and invention of Hadid’s process through every stage of design and construction.

“United Nude’s collections are provocative yet sensual. Rem D Koolhaas’ unrelenting experimentation at the cutting edge of fashion never fails to capture our imagination.” explains Hadid. “I have always appreciated those who dare to experiment with materials and proportions. Our collaboration with United Nude reinterprets the classic shoe typology; pushing the boundaries of what is possible without compromising integrity.”

The NOVA design incorporates intricate striations juxtaposed with dramatic realignments, establishing a direct formal relationship with the shoe’s primary structure and expressing the dynamic forces applied by every step of the wearer.

At first sight, NOVA call to my mind the heel-less masterpiece shoe by Zanotti: the shape is approximately the same. But between a sinuous "Z" of crystals and a sharp-cornered and disharmonic one, I definitely choose the first one.

Even if her lookbook is full of fanciness – let's think about her feather cape by Maison Martin Margiela worn during the Milan Desig Week – I just can't image her with this shoes on.

So, her honorable attempt to fit architecture to women feet is again failed.

Anyway, this is fashion and - we know - if something is uncomfortable and unconventional, probably is fashionable. Furthermore if the designer is a famous architect and the collection is a limited edition by a cutting edge company of shoes... this is absolutely design.

Photo credit by United Nude ©