Scanned soles: WeberHodelFeder explores new concepts for A/W 2016
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

In Antwerp, where better than a disused diamond cutting factory to set up a company with like-minded friends? For WeberHodelFeder, a footwear brand named after its three founders’ last names, the Flemish city, with its celebrated history and vibrant party scene, was more than just a practical choice.
The self-professed ‘outsider’ trio, of the Germans Matthias Weber, Florian Feder and the Swiss Niklaus Hodel, all had professional careers of their own before entering the city’s acclaimed Royal Academy of Fine Arts’ Fashion Department. As a result, 'each of us contributes with a specific skill set', says Weber, responding to how the exchange of ideas between the three best friends takes place.
WeberHodelFeder were scooped up by seminal footwear store Coccodrillo before even having properly set up their company, and the success of their signature men’s Velcro shoe was so big with both genders that they were convinced to produce them in smaller sizes for women.
Fixated on creating 'objects that have a story to tell, or even better that stimulate one’s fantasy in order to invent a story', WHF 'strives for the perfect mistake in our design'. 'We take inspiration from something flawless,' Weber continues, 'mix it with something not necessarily matching, change the personality of the object into something that ideally hasn’t existed before.'
For A/W 2016, they take that concept further. 'For the first time we worked with existing garments, cutting them apart or recreating a first prototype of a loafer that we had flipped inside out,' Weber explains. 'The "battle memories" – doodle prints – are inspired by a beautiful book that Matthias found, with photographs of soldier’s graffiti on canvas bags documenting their drawn talismans and stories of victory and loss.'
The scans through which the collection is rendered in the lookbook is the trio's comment on how 'we are so used to see fashion in small scale on tiny screens until we actually go to the store', Weber concludes. 'The idea was to show the details of our shoes in their actual size without any distraction by other clothing.'
The self-professed ‘outsider’ trio, made up of Matthias Weber, Florian Feder and Niklaus Hodel (pictured left), all had professional careers of their own before entering Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts’ Fashion Department
WeberHodelFeder were scooped up by Coccodrillo before even having properly set up their company; the success of their signature men’s Velcro shoe was so big with both genders that they were convinced to produce them in smaller sizes for women
The A/W 2016 range sees the ’first time we worked with existing garments, cutting them apart or recreating a first prototype of a loafer that we had flipped inside out’, Weber explains
The scans through which the collection is rendered in the lookbook is WHF’s comment on how 'we are so used to see fashion in small scale on tiny screens until we actually go to the store'
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the WeberHodelFeder website (opens in new tab)
-
London architecture exhibitions 2023: a guide to the best shows this month
Exciting, beautiful and thought-provoking London architecture exhibitions; here's our pick of the finest in town, to visit and enjoy this month
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Ai Weiwei's largest-ever Lego artwork revealed at London’s Design Museum
At London’s Design Museum, Ai Weiwei has unveiled Water Lilies #1, a new Lego recreation of Claude Monet’s iconic painting. We explore the vast new work ahead of the Chinese artist’s major show at the museum, opening on 7 April 2023
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
These Jacob Cohën jeans are entirely compostable
‘From nature, to nature,’ goes the tagline for Jacob Cohën’s ‘Endless Luxury’ collection, which is the latest innovation in the Italian denim brand’s pursuit of sustainable design solutions
By Jack Moss • Published
-
Salvatore Ferragamo’s low-impact sneakers are inspired by vintage running shoes
The latest arrival from the historic Florentine house is a colourful new series of sneakers, combining vintage inspirations, high-tech materials and sustainable construction
By Jack Moss • Last updated
-
Manolo Blahnik creates virtual world to mark 50th anniversary
Welcome to The Manolo Blahnik Archives: ‘A New Way of Walking’, a digital cosmos that marks the brand’s milestone anniversary, spanning five immersive rooms, curated alongside Judith Clark
By Laura Hawkins • Last updated
-
Body and sole: Roksanda and Malone Souliers step in line
By Laura Hawkins • Last updated
-
Sole searching: John Lobb offered tor stories for S/S 2017 with a trek across Britain’s wild west
By Georgia Dehn • Last updated
-
Studio visit: inside the design treasure trove of Malone Souliers London
By JJ Martin • Last updated
-
A new Antwerp exhibition tracks the footprint of fashion's designer shoes in an art content
By Siska Lyssens • Last updated