That Dopie Feel
The feeling of being naked even if you're not
When Bern Wutrich showed me her pair of Dopie flip flips that she's distributing here in Iloilo City, I wondered how can one feel comfortable with them.
Dopie, “the naked shoes for naked people,” has two integral slots on each side of the foot, so that an optional velcro strap can be added for extra support on particularly adventurous maneuvers.
Without the strap, one wonders how the almost circular contraption on the toe portion could hold the foot in place. But it does, actually and you don't even have to drag your feet at all. And you have this feeling of nakedness but you know that your feet are still protected.
Unlike other flip flops, this one doesn't look like plain slippers, so they are quite acceptable anywhere, In fact, you can even party with it. I tried replacing the strap with lace. One time, I attached some small bling-blings on the strap to have that party feel. And if I feel like going sporty, I just wear the strap as it is. At home, I wear it without the strap and it feels really comfortable.
I also discovered that the maker, Terra Plana makes use of recycled materials. So, it's comforting to know that what you have is environment-friendly. Even the shoe boxes are made of recycled boards.
For that Dopie feel yourself, Ms Wutrich can be reached through 09198172593 or bjwuthrich@yahoo.com. Her office is at the Amigo Mall.
The Dopie Design Story
From http://www.dopiewear.com/Design
Dopie evolved over a long time of researching different shapes and materials to find the ultimate in minimal footwear. These pictures illustrate key moments in the design of Dopie by Matthew Harrison while studying at the Royal College of Art in London.
First ever prototype - Testing the Idea
This foam prototype was made very quickly to try out the idea that if a shoe was light enough and had a rigid sole, all you would need is a small ‘nipple’ between the toes to hold it on the foot.
Playing with the shape
Card models, stuck together with masking tape, with notes drawn on them helped develop Dopie’s characteristic shape and style.
Refining the concept
Form and structure is refined through models made from blue foam, that can be quickly shaped with hand tools.
Presentation model
This model was made from a computer generated CAD file, rapid prototyped with an SLA machine and then cast in resin, to produce a hard visual model. This is the model that was presented at the RCA graduate show, and to Terra Plana, who would go on to manufacture the shoe.
Mould pattern v.1
This is the first pattern made the factory in China, and was used to make the first moulded prototypes. It has the Dopie logo sketched on the top surface in black marker pen.
Dopie Mk1 to Mk2
This adapted moulded prototype shows the softer rubber parts painted onto it, and slots on the side added for an optional strap.
Final mould pattern
This is the pattern which the final production moulds were made from, with softer toe and heel sections, and side slots for straps and accessories.