Sneaker designs are becoming bolder now with a lot of designers looking to break out of the mold in order to stand out of a competitive market. No longer confined to the standard silhouettes and materials, today’s sneaker landscape is witnessing a surge of innovation—where the line between fashion, art, and functionality blurs. Even established brands are embracing this evolution, introducing designs like ballerina-inspired sneakers, and experimenting with unconventional materials such as mesh, metallic finishes, textured leathers, and even automotive-grade surfaces, like one pair reportedly inspired by the Tesla Cybertruck. While most will probably still stick to the more traditional (and comfortable) sneaker designs and just experiment with colors and prints, there are still the more fashion adventurous people that would look for something out of the ordinary.
EXOSKYN emerges as a bold manifesto—an experimental sneaker that challenges everything we know about footwear. This debut design from emerging brand KORUX, created by Lyon-based designer Mahdi Naim, is not just a shoe — it’s an architectural exploration, a sculptural statement, and a seamless fusion of technology, design, and the human form. At first glance, it will get your attention because of its otherworldly silhouette. Look closer, and its intricacies reveal a deeper narrative. Drawing direct inspiration from the skeletal structure of the human foot, the sneaker’s design is more than aesthetic, it’s anatomical. Fluid, organic, and radically sculptural, its lattice-like architecture, composed of dynamic ribbing and continuous lines, mimics the interplay of bones and connective tissue. The result is a form that feels less like a shoe and more like an extension of the body.
Designer: Mahdi Naim
What truly sets EXOSKYN apart is how it’s made. Using cutting-edge 3D-printing technology, each pair is printed as a single piece, eliminating seams, reducing waste, and enhancing structural integrity. The material—both flexible and durable—is engineered for real-world comfort and movement, offering surprising walkability for such a bold concept shoe. It’s industrial design meets fashion tech, with every contour calibrated for a body-responsive fit.
This is part of the limited-edition Print Step collection, a series that pushes the boundaries of on-demand manufacturing and digital craftsmanship. Rather than following traditional sneaker conventions, it deconstructs them, exploring new narratives of form and fabrication. There are no logos or loud branding—just form, function, and futurism. Each pair is made to order, emphasizing individuality over mass production.
With a background steeped in industrial design and advanced 3D printing, Mahdi Naim brings a sharp, avant-garde perspective to footwear. EXOSKYN reflects his deep understanding of how technology and the body can coalesce into wearable design. This is not fashion for fashion’s sake; it’s a visionary edge that asks: What happens when you write code, and it becomes something you can walk in?
EXOSKYN is indeed a radical departure—a conceptual leap that opens the door to entirely new possibilities in design, production, and wearability. It’s a sneaker for those who see fashion as a canvas for innovation, for those who want to move not just with style, but with purpose.
