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Challenge 2: Contestants Go Green; Six Falls to Five

March 17, 2008 footwearnews.com

By Lindsay E. Sammon and Clair Windsor


After weeks of research and a challenging hunt for earthfriendly materials, the six remaining Shoe Star contestants presented eco-conscious sandal uppers on March 5. The judges — Footwear News' Michael Atmore, Nine West's Fred Allard and FIT's Ellen Goldstein — were joined by guest judge Stuart Weitzman, who brought more than 30 years of design and manufacturing expertise to the contest.

"We were shocked to see him there. I was honored to present my work in front of him," said Karen Hsieh.

The students were given five minutes to present their designs, explain how each component fit into the green challenge and field the judges' questions.

The materials the students used included hemp, vegetabledyed leather, recycled rubber, bamboo and even a recycled shipping envelope from the U.S. Postal Service. While many of the competitors used glue in their samples, Melanie Maggio stayed totally green by spending nearly 12 hours constructing a gluefree upper.

"I didn't want to use any glue or anything that was bad for the environment. I felt like that [would have] defeated the purpose [of the challenge]," she said. The judges scored the designs on concept, creativity, professionalism and materials and fabrication. As the elimination began, Atmore announced a new twist to the competition: For the first time, the judges would name a challenge winner — the student who delivered the strongest sample, most innovative design and most ingenious take on the task. FIT senior Kerry Norton won the green challenge.

"It feels good [to be named the winner]. I wasn't really expecting it. I put a lot of work into it, so I feel like it paid off," said Norton. Despite winning, Norton still received constructive criticism from Weitzman. He said her presentation and the trend-right shape of the heel were impressive, but her flimsy cork sole would never hold up for everyday wear.

Hsieh, who received high praise at the first elimination round, found herself in the bottom two, but in the end, it was Rochester, N.Y.- native Kristen Baker who didn't measure up to the competition. With five contestants left, who will make it to the final four?

Who Stays:


Ryan Baker: "I didn't get voted off, but I kind of feel like I did," said Baker of seeing his sister get eliminated from the competition. "We both light the fire under each other."

Baker used a recycled polyester jacket for his upper.



Melissa Cordero: "Honestly, I wasn't happy with what I turned in. I thought I was going to go home today. I was really more focused on materials than I was on the design."

Cordero’s Grecian-style sandal was crafted from recycled leather and a water-based glue.



Kerry Norton: "Presentation is everything, so I really try to get my point across visually," said Norton, who received praise from Weitzman for her sales pitch. "[For this challenge] I really wanted to find the materials that would work and look best together, then I designed something from there."

Jute, wood and cork gave Norton’s shoe an earthy (and earthfriendly) look.



Karen Hsieh: "From this experience, I should be nervous," said Hsieh, who was in the bottom two. "I don't know what to expect anymore. Do [the judges] want me to go crazy or play it safe? I want to know what should I present in front of the judges."

Biodegradable postal envelopes helped illustrate Hsieh’s nautical-themed sandal.



Melanie Maggio: "I try a little too hard to always stick to the rules. I played it safe in that sense [for this challenge], but this is a design competition. I don't think I'll ever play it safe as far as my design because they're not looking for designs that are already out there."

Maggio hand-pleated the vegetable-tanned leather on her creation.


Who Goes:

Kristen Baker: "I'm not discouraged and it doesn't make me feel like any less of a designer. ...I'm really glad for the benefits that I've reaped so far," said Baker.

The only one I would wear in real life here is Kerry's shoe, the rest are well...not my style.