The 3D printed shoes worn by Dutch Education minister Jet Bussemaker on Prinsjesdag (Prince’s Day) 2015 were designed by Pauline van Dongen and Leonie Tenthof van Noorden from the Technical University Eindhoven. These shoes were printed by SLEM, an innovation and education centre for the footwear industry that was founded in Waalwijk by Nicoline van Enter.

The name for this footwear institute, SLEM, is an acronym that stands for shoes, leather, education and museum. This institute provides a unique full-time masters program for footwear innovators along with a wide range of short courses and workshops for both students and professionals. Within two years, it has become a leading institute in the world of shoe design and manufacturing. The institute provides a unique full-time Masters program for Footwear Innovators and offers a wide range of short courses and workshops for both students and professionals. Within a short period of two years, it has become a leading institute within the footwear industry, with world-renowned shoe manufacturers joining the fold.

In addition to 3d printed shoes, the institute has seen the development of shoes with sensors that can send emergency text messages should something happen to the wearer. A heat sensor detects that you’re wearing the shoes and a motion sensor tracks your activities. If no movement has been detected within a period of, for example, half an hour, satellites will register this and send out a call for help.

Examples of SLEM footwear will be on show at the upcoming Material Xperience 2016, along with an inspirational lecture from Yassine Salihine of SLEM. More information can be found here.