In the nineteenth century, shoemaking in the West was transformed from an artisanal craft into an industry driven by the invention of new methods and materials. The mass production of footwear made a variety of shoes accessible and affordable to more people, and footwear consumption began to rise.

However, industrialization also introduced new limitations. Feet suddenly had to fit into predetermined sizes, and consumer choice was limited to the styles and colors determined by manufacturers. Other impacts of mass production were ever-increasing levels of exploitation and waste as both production and consumption grew.

Today, many shoe designers and companies are grappling with this history. Innovation remains at the forefront of the industry, but the goals have begun to shift. Using state-of-the-art technologies, groundbreaking materials, and new and innovative approaches, forward-thinking creatives are pushing the boundaries of footwear design. From 3-D printed concept shoes to virtual NFT sneakers, these cutting-edge innovations are shaping the footwear that we will wear well into the future.