Design Engineer
Design Engineer
Design Engineer
My Role
My Role
My Role
Overview of my Project
Overview of my Project
This was my solo project under the module 'Supergreen' exploring circular, regenerative design through footwear. I interpreted "regenerative" as design that repurposes waste rather than consuming virgin material, and built SoleVine around three reclaimed streams: wine corks, scrap wood, and canvas offcuts. I sourced and processed each material myself, washing and grading corks, formulating a bio-based cork adhesive from gelatine and glycerine, hand-carving wooden heels, and moulding custom soles traced from my own foot. The result is a fully handcrafted pair of heels that proves comfort and sustainability don't have to trade off against each other.
This was my solo project under the module 'Supergreen' exploring circular, regenerative design through footwear. I interpreted "regenerative" as design that repurposes waste rather than consuming virgin material, and built SoleVine around three reclaimed streams: wine corks, scrap wood, and canvas offcuts. I sourced and processed each material myself, washing and grading corks, formulating a bio-based cork adhesive from gelatine and glycerine, hand-carving wooden heels, and moulding custom soles traced from my own foot. The result is a fully handcrafted pair of heels that proves comfort and sustainability don't have to trade off against each other.
Methodology
Methodology
Material Research & Sourcing
Mould-Making & Casting
Hand-Carving & Woodworking
Ergonomic Fit Testing
Sustainability Impact Analysis
Material Research & Sourcing
Mould-Making & Casting
Hand-Carving & Woodworking
Ergonomic Fit Testing
Sustainability Impact Analysis
01 Context
The footwear industry generates over 22 billion shoes annually, with 90% ending up in landfills within a year. Fast fashion heels are particularly wasteful, often made from non-recyclable faux leather and petroleum-based plastics, contributing to pollution and discomfort. SoleVine addresses these issues by diverting post-consumer cork and textile waste, offering a regenerative, comfortable alternative.
The project is rooted in the European landscape - where wine and textile industries are significant and cork waste is abundant yet underutilized. This region offers both material access and skilled artisanal communities, ideal for low-waste, local production. SoleVine aligns with increasing youth-driven demand for ethical fashion and circular design.
The footwear industry generates over 22 billion shoes annually, with 90% ending up in landfills within a year. Fast fashion heels are particularly wasteful, often made from non-recyclable faux leather and petroleum-based plastics, contributing to pollution and discomfort. SoleVine addresses these issues by diverting post-consumer cork and textile waste, offering a regenerative, comfortable alternative.
The project is rooted in the European landscape - where wine and textile industries are significant and cork waste is abundant yet underutilized. This region offers both material access and skilled artisanal communities, ideal for low-waste, local production. SoleVine aligns with increasing youth-driven demand for ethical fashion and circular design.
02 Process
Wooden Blocks
Wooden Blocks
Wooden Blocks
Locally reclaimed wood from workshops is selected for its sturdiness. Hand-carved into heels, it offers both structural support and a canvas for artisanal design.
Locally reclaimed wood from workshops is selected for its sturdiness. Hand-carved into heels, it offers both structural support and a canvas for artisanal design.
Locally reclaimed wood from workshops is selected for its sturdiness. Hand-carved into heels, it offers both structural support and a canvas for artisanal design.
Wine Bottle Corks
Wine Bottle Corks
Wine Bottle Corks
Post-consumer natural corks are collected, cleaned, and reused for their cushioning, lightweight, and flexible properties.
Post-consumer natural corks are collected, cleaned, and reused for their cushioning, lightweight, and flexible properties.
Post-consumer natural corks are collected, cleaned, and reused for their cushioning, lightweight, and flexible properties.
Materials
Materials
Materials
Canvas Scraps
Canvas Scraps
Canvas Scraps
Sourced from textile factory waste, these durable cotton scraps are upcycled and softened to create breathable, skin-friendly uppers; reducing landfill waste in the fashion industry.
Sourced from textile factory waste, these durable cotton scraps are upcycled and softened to create breathable, skin-friendly uppers; reducing landfill waste in the fashion industry.
Sourced from textile factory waste, these durable cotton scraps are upcycled and softened to create breathable, skin-friendly uppers; reducing landfill waste in the fashion industry.
Prototypes
Prototypes
Prototypes
Grounded Cork
Grounded Cork
Grounded Cork
Grounding offers enhanced durability, density control, slip resistance, and can be engineered for specific performance needs
Grounding offers enhanced durability, density control, slip resistance, and can be engineered for specific performance needs
Grounding offers enhanced durability, density control, slip resistance, and can be engineered for specific performance needs
Scraps of Canvas
Scraps of Canvas
Scraps of Canvas
Scraps collected from textile industries to make uppers
Scraps collected from textile industries to make uppers
Scraps collected from textile industries to make uppers
Carved Heels
Carved Heels
Carved Heels
Hand-carved and designed from reclaimed wood
Hand-carved and designed from reclaimed wood
Hand-carved and designed from reclaimed wood
Sliced Wine Corks
Sliced Wine Corks
Sliced Wine Corks
Slicing corks preserves the cork's natural structural integrity, elasticity, and cushioning properties
Slicing corks preserves the cork's natural structural integrity, elasticity, and cushioning properties
Slicing corks preserves the cork's natural structural integrity, elasticity, and cushioning properties
Inner Sole
Inner Sole
Inner Sole
Flexible and ergonomic inner sole made from sliced cork and bio-based adhesives
Flexible and ergonomic inner sole made from sliced cork and bio-based adhesives
Flexible and ergonomic inner sole made from sliced cork and bio-based adhesives
Wine Bottle Corks
Wine Bottle Corks
Wine Bottle Corks
Collected from the donation bins at the wine shops
Collected from the donation bins at the wine shops
Collected from the donation bins at the wine shops
Outer Sole
Outer Sole
Outer Sole
Durable and High-impact absorbing sole made from grounded wine corks and bio-based binding agents
Durable and High-impact absorbing sole made from grounded wine corks and bio-based binding agents
Durable and High-impact absorbing sole made from grounded wine corks and bio-based binding agents
SuperGreen 2024/25
SuperGreen 2024/25
SuperGreen 2024/25
SoleVine
SoleVine
SoleVine
03 Outcome
Engineered for All-Day Comfort!
Engineered for All-Day Comfort!
Engineered for All-Day Comfort!
Tie-Up bands
Tie-Up bands
Tie-Up bands
Broad tie-up bands that don’t dig into your skin and provide balance and stability even in elevated styles.
Broad tie-up bands that don’t dig into your skin and provide balance and stability even in elevated styles.
Broad tie-up bands that don’t dig into your skin and provide balance and stability even in elevated styles.
Uppers
Uppers
Uppers
Repurposed canvas scraps are softened on the skin side, reducing friction and improving fit.
Repurposed canvas scraps are softened on the skin side, reducing friction and improving fit.
Repurposed canvas scraps are softened on the skin side, reducing friction and improving fit.
Block Heels
Block Heels
Block Heels
Broad block heels that evenly distribute body weight, reducing pressure on the forefoot and improving balance, making them far more comfortable for extended wear than narrow or stiletto-style heels.
Broad block heels that evenly distribute body weight, reducing pressure on the forefoot and improving balance, making them far more comfortable for extended wear than narrow or stiletto-style heels.
Broad block heels that evenly distribute body weight, reducing pressure on the forefoot and improving balance, making them far more comfortable for extended wear than narrow or stiletto-style heels.
Dual-layer sole
Dual-layer sole
Dual-layer sole
Moulds to the wearer’s arch for a personalized fit. It offers lightweight structure, natural shock absorption, and anti-slip flexibility.
Moulds to the wearer’s arch for a personalized fit. It offers lightweight structure, natural shock absorption, and anti-slip flexibility.
Moulds to the wearer’s arch for a personalized fit. It offers lightweight structure, natural shock absorption, and anti-slip flexibility.
Bonus: Tie them up in front or back to change the look and feel!
Bonus: Tie them up in front or back to change the look and feel!
Bonus: Tie them up in front or back to change the look and feel!
#Hire me
I design experiences that matter and connect with people :)
want to know more?
Get started
#Hire me
I design experiences that matter and connect with people :)
want to know more?
Get started
2026 Anoushka Sawardekar