The Central Park

The Sustainability competition was initiated by the legacy American footwear brand KEDS and Parsons the New School.

This collection is inspired by the contradictory views at central park, where nature meets skyscrapers. Each bags is named after one section of the park which indicate the mimic scenery. All products are made of @keds donated shoe components.

Our Story

The magnificent metropolitan landscape of New York city has always been described as a
jungle of concrete and steels; yet the animal instinct in our genes can not fully appreciate its beauty for a
long time. Therefore, with the existence of an expansive green park, Central Park became an oasis for
new yorker in this chaotic scene. For city dwellers, it's a place to relax within a couple of subway lines.
People are found here enjoying a picnic, dog walk, exercise or a casual absence of mind. Inside the park,
no matter which alley you chose to take on, along the journey you will witness many historical
monuments. The symbolic significance of central park to the city is self-explanatory. On top of the
physical relaxation, central park is a free medication land that can resolve your problem effortlessly.
When I first perceived the gigantic piles of recycled KEDS shoe components in our school
building, I was undeniably stunned and bewildered around my design. The first prototype I made was
something that can be described as “ Literal shoes”. Then I decided to take a walk to the green land while
holding on to the obstacles. When I saw the intersection of nature and the building on the peripheral
areas, I was amazed by the decision makers in centuries ago. Saved the location from being swallowed by
endless commerce but left to the rather “useless” nature. An equal area for everyone regardless of their
identity. This phenomenon in my opinion is also replicable in the fashion business. The emphatic
devotion in civil right awareness, as well as recycling might seem to be less “beneficial” in the moment;
but in the long term, the “slow” fashion always lasted more than the fast fashion. KEDS, an iconic
American footwear brand and the central park; the two subjects that seem to have no commonplace are
somehow weaved together.
In a city of miracles, Central Park is the greatest miracle of all. The huge complex of humanity,
nature, goodness and beauty. These great qualities I hope you can also find in my works using the KEDS
products.