Bioplastic CONVERSE
This project reimagines the classic Converse sneaker through the lens of reuse, craft, and biomaterial experimentation. Starting with a secondhand pair of Converse soles sourced from Savers, I deconstructed the original shoes and rebuilt them using a richly woven tapestry fabric, transforming an everyday object into something personal and textural. To support the soft upper and explore more sustainable forms of reinforcement, I developed custom bioplastic components that blend structure with subtle translucence—creating a hybrid between softness and strength, old and new.
To reinforce the flexible sides and give the shoes more shape, I grew my own bioplastic using gelatin, glycerin, and natural dyes. These bioplastic panels were formed into custom molds and strategically placed to act as both internal support and external detailing. This process allowed me to introduce structure without rigid industrial materials, and opened up new aesthetic possibilities—translucent textures, imperfect edges, and organic forms that contrast the graphic regularity of the Converse sole. It was a way to explore sustainability not just as a material choice, but as a creative opportunity.
My design process began with disassembly. I carefully removed the original canvas uppers from the Converse soles, using the existing patterns as a guide to cut new panels from a tapestry-style woven fabric. Sewing the pieces into place required adapting traditional upholstery techniques for wearable scale, blending fashion and craft. The fabric’s weight and intricate weave gave the shoes a one-of-a-kind, heirloom quality—turning a mass-produced silhouette into something slow and intentional.
