Each with their own heritage and history, KAH BANE’S sneaker mash ups explore the possibility of object evolution and transformation.

What are some of your favourite words?

Complicated… I would not say they are my favourite but the words that motivate me: Let’s start with love, then persistence, and finally I would say passion. Not easy to "define" in 3 words

Let’s start with you telling us about your journey to fashion. What first drew you to sneaker design?

I started in the Fashion industry about 6 years ago. I didn't know much about it... neither the history, nor in the garment design or model making. I was just passionate about conceptual and oversized outfits, and sneakers. I did 4 years in fashion school before obtaining my degree as a fashion designer. Complicated but very exciting years. I had the chance to do a runway show in London, and some French competitions. After that I went to New York for a few months (2018). I started to work on mashup of sneaker pairs of all kinds on Instagram. At the beginning, I started with a Timberland x Balenciaga Triple S for my roommate.
And by passion, by pleasure I started to create a lot of visuals and post them. I always had the desire to link the sneaker to the field of clothing.

In your practice, what is most important to you to try and communicate?

Everything I do, whether it's clothing, mashups, customisation, my goal is to create new shapes, volumes, always in a style that suits me. It is important to always think bigger, to observe the possibility of the evolution of things, their transformation.

What influences the concepts you choose to work with?

I have many influences…
I am inspired by what I like - the sneaker overall. For the past two years, I have learned a lot and find many models that I never thought I would ever know in my life. I discover new models, new brands every day, new materials, so volume, colours and that is all that inspires me to create my mashup.
Push and mix the creativity.
As a "reference" I must admit, I’ve been a big fan of Nike since my childhood… I am more inspired by artists, designers ... (Sahel Bembury / Mr Bailey / Dominic Ciambrone / JBF custom / Damian Smin / Craig green, June j, Ackerman…and I forget about it).

What most often inspires you to start a new project?

I think it's the sole; I often base myself on a sole, then I think of a second sole that can match with it, then I think of the liner that can match with everything. Once all of this are coherent, I take the 2, 3 or 4 models I’ve mixed and I try to recover as much detail as possible on each one to create a new model; Bulky, innovative, surprising and often detailed to the limit of excess.

To me, your designs look like they’d taste sweet if you licked them. They’d be chewy and invigorating. Do you see the senses as creatively intertwined? For example, do other sensory elements like smell, sound or taste play any role in your work or creative thinking?

I completely see the senses intertwined. I try through my work to mix as much as possible different shapes, the stories, the details of each of the sneakers - elements to create only one unit. A new model, inspired, but one of a kind. From its historical origins a certain personality in the middle of these is created. On a sneaker, in this case what seems most essential to me in terms of its shape, are its materials, the feel. In my opinion, through the feel of it, the sneaker creates an emotion.

Your sneakers are very textured, have a strong solid build with thick soles, often complimented with finer details like contrasting prints. What have been key aesthetic influences for you?

As I said before, and as you have noticed, I give a lot of importance to the volume, to the imposing structure of the sole. I prioritise, in my creations, mixing styles. I don't consider myself to have a futuristic style, neither in the spirit of the times, I'm just trying to please myself and to be innovative and unexpected. My aesthetic influences in the sneaker industry are based are football boots, which then took me to the Nike sneaker collection in particular. From there I became interested in shoes as a whole, in brands… I started to get passionate about fashion, its history (especially in luxury), and then by style and aesthetics in streetwear, with a fairly urban dimension that you can see emerging in my clothes collections. All of this makes this blend of knowledge and inspiration that I use to realise my concepts.

If we imagine your sneakers as a life form, how are they born? Where does their species originate?

Each of the creations has its own identity, it would be difficult to define each one. But in their conception, it always tells a story. That of each of the brands used that are one and create a new story.

““It is important to always think bigger…push and mix the creativity””

— Kah Bane

These turbulent times bring struggle for creatives. What is the best or most influential piece of advice you have ever received for nurturing your creativity and career?

A bit trivial, but mainly the support of my family; the presence of my partner, my friends that I have regularly in Visio. The most important thing is to believe in yourself. Then it is a period that we are unfortunately all forced to live, we must be serious and take the measure of this historic and global epidemic. Personally, I seek to create permanently, through my computer, my sewing machines and my customisations. That allows me to support myself during this period, in spite of the obvious lack of being able to exchange, go out, travel... to enjoy life.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

For me, the forecasts are always creating new things, learning, and improving in everything I do. I hope to be able designate pairs for big brands in a few years, to be able to create mine, have pairs produced in order to share my passion and my aesthetics. I am currently working on the creation of my clothing brand that I would present in a few months and other projects...