Designer's Lunch - Meet our Footwear Designers

Defne Yalkut is the owner of DYdesign, a Milan-based design studio offering design and trend consultancy services for technical and athletic footwear. Though her background is in Fine Arts, with a focus on Textile and Fashion Design, her true passion for footwear began at an early age. That passion led her into the industry over 20 years ago, starting with 12 years as a senior designer at Vibram, where she became an expert in sole design and development across all segments. Beyond creating functional and innovative footwear, Defne’s deeper purpose lies in teaching. With over a decade of experience in education, she founded the Sole Design Academy, an online platform that helps footwear professionals of all levels master the craft of sole design and manufacturing, while becoming more mindful creators who leave a lighter footprint on the planet.

Martin Waibel started his career in the footwear industry in the traditional way as an orthopaedic shoe technician. His passion for innovation and striving to create something new for commercial use brought him to the footwear industry in 2018. As the head of research and development for climbing and safety footwear, he has been able to try new things and develop sustainable materials for his products. His knowledge and experience in footwear production and development make him a perfect partner for various research projects, such as Vibram and BASF. Combining sustainability and innovation in technical textiles and rubber to create functional elements for footwear is Martin‘s passion.

Nina Conrad is a sustainability consultant with many years of experience in the textile and leather industries, specializing in traceable, regional supply chains. She develops and oversees the production of leather for both small and large companies, and supports stakeholders across the apparel, accessories, and footwear sectors as a consultant, product manager, and project lead. She occasionally lectures at universities and is a founding member of the Sustainable Leather Foundation. As co-founder and president of Fibershed DACH, a non-profit organization based in Bern, she is actively involved in a variety of projects that seek to transform the textile economy by promoting the best possible use of regional natural fibers and resources.

Richard Kuchinsky (sponsored by framas) is the Founder of The Directive Collective, a footwear design consultancy specializing in performance running and innovation. With over 25 years of industry experience, he has led design and development for global brands, blending strategic vision with technical execution from concept to commercialization. A 5-time Boston Qualifier with a marathon PR of 2:50:39, Richard brings a runner’s perspective to every project. He lives in Toronto, Canada, with his family.

www.directivecollective.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rkuchinsky/