During his time at Givenchy, Matthew M. Williams has become known for his genius approach to combining the house’s savoir-faire with craft. The designer prides himself in innovating and giving a contemporary touch to classical savoir-faire, which is no more evident than in Givenchy’s new TK-360.
The sneaker features a sporty, sleek silhouette designed with an easily recognizable bold rounded back. This design gives the sneaker a unique tread with a monochrome appearance. The unique shape and fit of the shoe are achieved by using a single piece of stretch-knit fabric, which is then fitted directly onto the custom moulded sole and extends over the shoe’s underside.
The sneaker comes in classic shades of black and white and more playful shades of acidic yellow, graphite grey, camel, navy, and pale pink. The futuristic design features a flat heel with a tapered forefoot. The laces lock in the foot and add touch as the sock-like upper is made to hug the foot. The single-piece fabric is flexible, but by no means is it flimsy.
Williams describes the TK-360 as his dream shoe, and when the sneaker first made an appearance, the designer was quick to note its unique qualities by saying, “Show me another shoe without a sole.”
Since its inception, Givenchy has been defined by these complicated and detailed feats of savoir-faire. Hubert de Givenchy founded the house on the principles of couture, where garments are stitched entirely by hand. Some seven decades after the house had been founded, Matthew M. Williams, the current creative director of Givenchy, is looking into the archives and bringing the same approach that the house was founded on but adding a new, sleek contemporary touch. A quick browse of the designer’s social media is a testament that Williams looks to the archives for inspiration. The designer often posts images that flip between Givenchy’s original designs and his own modern take on the archived piece.
Images: Supplied
