Design knowledgeable by nature has at all times been on the coronary heart of Vibram, and for Milan Design Week 2025, it was precisely this that the model spotlighted in an unique exhibition titled “Icons by Nature: When Opposites Entice.”
The four-day showcase dropped at life its distinctive design philosophies within the basement of Vibram Connection Lab, a analysis and improvement hub. The placement stands as a dynamic house for innovation the place prototypes are became merchandise after which bought shut by at Vibram’s European flagship retailer. “We’ve introduced some phases of our sole manufacturing course of into the house, providing a hands-on have a look at how our high-performance soles come to life,” shared World Catalyst at Vibram Giuseppe Grandinetti. “But it surely’s greater than a workshop – it’s a gathering level for collaboration the place we co-create with different inventive minds.”
Throughout the working surroundings featured only a small variety of soles, silhouettes, and supplies from a cross part of the manufacturers’ archive, but they got here collectively to light up the totally different contrasts on the basis of the model’s designs. One of the vital prized items in Vibram’s historical past – the Carrarmato sole – was amongst the exhibited items. Invented 88 years in the past by Vitale Bramani, the sturdy answer for mountain expeditions was repurposed for different life-style fashions, like Snoop Dogg’s very personal Timberlands. “We’re the one model centered simply on soles,” added Grandinetti.
Upon visiting the exhibition, co-curated with Vibram FiveFingers, Hypebeast additionally caught up with Abby Bucknall, Head of World Advertising and marketing at Vibram FiveFingers. “Every thing was so artisanal again then, very a lot designed on intuition—very primal,” she shared, reflecting on the a long time of innovation. “Robert – the inventor of FiveFingers – used to say, ‘Your physique is aware of what to do. You simply have to permit it to indicate you.’ This isn’t simply footwear. It’s a mindset. A return to how motion is supposed to really feel: pure, easy, and free. Every toe strikes independently, every movement turns into extra linked, extra conscious.”
Whereas Vibram has been round since 1937, the story behind Vibram FiveFingers is extra of a latest one. Invented on the flip of the century because the brainchild of Robert Fliri, the primary prototype moulded latex round a naked foot to permit close-to-nature motion. The exhibition traced the event of the FiveFingers silhouette from this preliminary prototype and others that adopted, revealing how its design mentality has remained through the years.
An unmissable set up, nonetheless, was a Hank Grüner commissioned hut, emblazoned with flowers and mountain faces. “We wished to create a hut – one thing linked to the thought of a mountain shelter, a spot of safety and reflection,” defined Bucknall. “The flowers symbolize FiveFingers as a form of power rising from the bottom, and the mountain is linked to Vibram soles.” Utilizing fluorescent tones and doodle-like strokes, it evoked an virtually childlike marvel within the house that comes with exploring nature in Vibram sneakers.
If you happen to missed the “Icons by Nature: When Opposites Entice” exhibition, take a look at the recap pictures within the gallery above.
Store Vibram’s newest releases by visiting its web site or Milan flagship retailer.
Vibram Flagship Retailer
By way of Raffaello Sanzio, 6
20149 Milano
