COBBLERATION

Bringing together Cobblers, Art, and Technology
5-10 May 2025

COBBLERATION is a playful blend of “cobblers” (shoemakers) and “collaboration.” It is part of a new vocabulary we draw out to describe our practices.

COBBLERATION is a groundbreaking global movement that unites artisans and researchers to revolutionize footwear production.

COBBLERATION seeks to combine Indigenous craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology to explore sustainable, healthy, and just alternatives for making and wearing shoes.

Where are we at?

Footwear production has a high carbon footprint (around 700 million metric tons of CO2 annually) and generates waste billions of non-biodegradable shoes discarded yearly, contributing to environmental degradation. With the rise of fast-fashion and mass production, traditional craftsmanship is in steep decline, threatening centuries-old artisanal skills and the livelihoods of craftspeople.

But it doesn't have to be this way.

More than a decade of working with cobblers—through making, walking, and talking—has revealed common threads in traditional footwear practices. Despite their diverse origins, these traditions share a deep understanding of natural materials, an intuitive respect for foot biomechanics, and a view of walking as both a physical act and a meaningful practice. These insights have led to a set of footwear guidelines. And now, for the first time, cobblers from different traditions will come together at !Khwa ttu, the San Heritage Centre in South Africa, to ask some fundamental questions:

How can traditional cobblers shape the future of sustainable footwear?

What collective actions can be taken to ensure both protection and promotion of footwear related heritage?

During a week of collective making, walking and talking, we - the cobblers - hope to reach some possible answers to these questions, and many others that will emerge from our exchanges.

COLLABORATING COMMUNITIES

San | Namibia/S-Africa

Common Antilope/eland

Saami Sapmi | Inari, Finland

Reindeer hides

Kolhapuri | Atahani, India

Buffalo hides

Diné | Navajo Nation, USA

Buffalo and deer hides

Mongolian | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Sheep wool

COBBLERATION is more than an event—it is a transformative movement celebrating the rich heritage of Indigenous craftsmanship while pushing the boundaries of regenerative innovation. Together, we are paving the way for a future where shoes respect both the human body and the Earth.

Catherine Willems, founder of Future Footwear Foundation

This first COBBLERATION event will highlight the San heritage linked to the making and wearing of the eland hunting sandal and connected storytelling. Ju|’hoan cobblers will share their skills in an active N!ang N|osi (traditional hunting sandal) workshop. The first part of the event is closed, being focused on creating space for exchanges between the cobblers through making, walking and talking practices.

Public Event - Friday, May 9th, 2025

The launch of the book bilingual book (English and Ju/’hoan San)

"TJU|HO: Thoughtful ways of making and walking”

focused on San ways of walking, making, design and storytelling.

An exhibition public will also be hosted at !Khwa ttu Heritage

Centre's Encounters' Room from 5 to 11 May 2025.