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Noriyuki Misawa's Horn Shoes Shine at the International Design Awards 2025

Renowned shoemaker Noriyuki Misawa has made waves in the design world by winning the prestigious Gold Award at the International Design Awards 2025, held in the United States. This international design competition gathers submissions from over 70 countries, celebrating outstanding creative talent, and Misawa's work stood out for its quality of design, clear vision, and contribution to modern aesthetics.

Innovative Artistry in Footwear

Despite being recognized primarily as a shoemaker, Misawa blends artistry and innovation, creating unique shoe art pieces. He has collaborated with iconic figures in the Hollywood film industry, including acclaimed director Spike Lee, and has even delivered commissioned works for the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. His remarkable portfolio includes successful exhibitions in cities like New York, London, Singapore, and Paris. In November this year, he will showcase his works in a solo exhibition in Rome, Italy.

The award-winning piece titled "MUSIC Ⅵ ~Horn~" is a continuation of Misawa's theme that merges the musical structure with the form and function of footwear. Drawing inspiration from the curves and pathways of the horn, this design features a hollow structure connecting the insole and outsole, ensuring that the design not only serves a functional purpose but also embodies the intrinsic qualities of the instrument itself.

This innovative use of materials, specifically untreated leather that ages beautifully without losing its character, emphasizes Misawa's commitment to authenticity. By confronting materials that allow no errors, he crafts shoes that evolve over time, embodying a sense of timelessness and maturation.

A Dual Experience of Art and Function

Misawa's creation is not solely a sculpture to behold; it’s a functional shoe meant to be worn, offering an expression that appeals to both visual and tactile senses. His work emphasizes the intersection of fashion and artistic expression, making the act of wearing these shoes an experience that transcends traditional footwear.

The 2025 International Design Awards, celebrated for its rigorous evaluation process, was established in Los Angeles in 2007. It highlights remarkable designs across diverse fields such as architecture, product design, graphic design, and fashion. This year marks the 19th edition of the awards, with juries made up of globally recognized architects and designers who carefully assess each submission.

The award ceremony for the 2025 International Design Awards is scheduled to take place on February 8, 2026, during Bangkok Design Week at ICONSIAM in Thailand.

Noriyuki Misawa's Design Journey

Notable Awards and Recognition

Misawa’s accolades include winning both the Gold Medal and Honor Award at the 2010 International Efficiency Contest of Shoemakers in Germany. In 2015, he received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award at the 33rd Japan Leather Craft Exhibition. More recently, he was honored as the Best Overall Winner in the GLOBAL FOOTWEAR AWARDS in both 2021 and 2022.

Solo Exhibitions

His notable exhibitions showcase his artistic evolution:

• - 2017: New York, Chelsea - "Rogue Space"
• - 2018: London - "Sway Gallery"
• - 2022: Isamu Noguchi-designed "Moerenuma Park Glass Pyramid"
• - 2023: Singapore - "THE ARTS HOUSE"
• - 2024: Paris, Le Marais - "Gallery Ecouffes"
• - 2025: Rome - "BANCHI VECCHI"

Significant Contributions

Misawa has made significant contributions to various prestigious projects, including contributions to the Cannes Film Festival and numerous commissions for the Imperial Household Agency from 2018-2024. Additionally, he was honored to provide footwear for performances during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021. This year, he debuted a piece titled "NEXT ATOM for the Future" under the supervision of Tezuka Productions.

Media Features

His work has garnered international media attention, featuring in publications such as Huffington Post, Los Angeles Times, and the Nikkei Newspaper. He has also appeared on programs like NHK WORLD’s "Direct Talk" and CNA TV’s documentary "Remarkable Living" in Singapore.

Production Clients

His impressive clientele includes notable figures like director Spike Lee, filmmaker Park Chan-wook, and actors like Adrien Brody and Millicent Simmonds.

For more information on Noriyuki Misawa's footwear art, visit his website.

Misawa, based in Arakawa, Tokyo, continues to push the boundaries of footwear design, merging aesthetics with functionality in an art form that tells a story with every step.