Helen Kirkum studio has revolutionised the craft of handmade footwear, creating authentic sneakers though couture collages from discarded materials.

Helen Kirkum is a multi-award winning artist who set up her studio in 2019. She creates bespoke and authentic sneakers by utilising recycled and dead stock materials. With the aim to create meaningful sneakers and through a process of deconstruction and experimentation, unique and artisanal sneakers are created to order.

With emphasis on the value in waste material as a building material and source of unlimited inspiration, she also promotes hands-on workshops in which people can learn how to make their own sneaker sculpture using just household recycling and finding new value in waste materials through graphic, shape and style.

The trainer designer is a pioneer of the patchwork aesthetic within the sneaker industry, and her collaborators include Adidas, Melissa, Bethany Williams and Reebok.