Designer UV-Zhu’s inflatable shoes have quite literally been taking Instagram by storm! Completely throwing aside functionality and practicality – these unique shoes included everything else. Previously we covered his puffy soled shoes with spongy uppers and protruding tentacles that quite honestly mimicked mutated creatures. And this time, we’re diving into his new kicks, which are supposed to be ‘inflated’.

Designer: UV-Zhu

UV-Zhu’s Nike conceptual series are basically inflatable structures paired up with daily objects resulting in kicks that you would probably never see at the Nike showroom. The ankle straps are made from white garters, silicone, and paper-based tapes. The outsoles have been power-packed with springs so that they can allow the wearer, to walk without actually putting any effort into walking!

Sponges and myriad kinds of soft padding have been squeezed in between these layers, creating comfy cushioning for the wearer. Some of the shoes have also been equipped with a layer of candy, and eccentric bristles as the outsole!

Following ensuite is his ‘AIR’ collection – which is exactly what it sounds like. This collection consists of shoes that have been inflated with air, and their soles look almost like floatation devices. UV-Zhu himself implies that these astounding shoes have no practical usage, and are simply an artistic exploration of form – they’re fun in the name of art! And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

Of course, there’s also the addition of bubble gum in some of the high tops (UV loves his candy in sneakers), while others have a completely transparent design.

UV-Zhu’s conceptual shoes reimagine daily objects as marvelous and inflated forms. Yes, they don’t have much functionality, but they do add a playful and quirky element to the otherwise serious world of fashion. Sometimes, it’s okay to have things that are just funny and pleasing to look at, without having a deeper agenda to them. What do you think?