The Brief: Change the narrative from running to versatile training footwear
Following the success of the Karhu Fusion 2.0, Karhu requested a new lifestyle shoe featuring their iconic M-shaped webbing tape. The brand wanted to move beyond running-inspired silhouettes and embrace the heritage of versatile training footwear.
As a freelance footwear designer, my goal was to bridge Karhu’s rich athletic history with contemporary streetwear market demands.
The Execution: Merging Archive Design Details & Colorways
To ensure authenticity, I researched mid-90s brand narratives so the new model felt like a rediscovered archive piece.
- The Silhouette: I used an overlay technique combining two historical archive shoes, meticulously merging their structural design details into one compelling, modern shape.
- Material Selection: The upper combines premium leather overlays with highly breathable athletic mesh panels to balance aesthetic and performance.
- Colorway Exploration: Developed commercial footwear color proposals that respected Karhu’s classic outdoor palette while appealing to modern sneaker consumers.
The Hand-Off: Seamless Design-to-Development Translation
To ensure an accurate sample process and reduce factory errors, I provided the development team with highly detailed, production-ready assets. My comprehensive hand-off package minimized the need for multiple prototype rounds and streamlined factory communication.
Deliverables Included:
- Research & Ideation: Concept mood boards and initial lifestyle sneaker sketches.
- Technical Drawing Packages: Complete footwear tech packs and detailed specification sheets.
- Tooling & Outsole Specs: Callouts for the full-grip rubber outsoles and integrated Twin System Air Cushioning.
- Product Graphics & B2B Assets: Custom label designs and commercial sell sheets for the sales team.
- Prototype Feedback: In-depth correction notes on early manufacturing samples to refine the final heel stabilizer fit and flat-lace tongue construction.