# Consumer-Mended Concept Shoes 'Repair it Yourself' Invites the Wearer to Fix His Own Kicks By Amelia Roblin | Published 2011-12-02 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/repair-it-yourself References: [designspotter](http://www.designspotter.com/product/2011/11/Repair-It-Yourself.html) & [eumo.it](http://eumo.it/) Eugenia Morpurgo had the [wastefulness of consumerist culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coachtopia-1) in mind as the inspiration for the 'Repair it Yourself' project. The goal was to encourage the average person to become as involved with caring for his sneakers as he is with using them. The designer has given the wearer the tools to mend his footwear himself so that he can have an active role in increasing the lifespan of each shoe, ideally slow the cycle of buying and binning garments. 'Repair it Yourself' is a pair of kicks conceived with a very different attitude towards wear and tear. In acquiring them, the owner is accepting his eventual task of fixing them. With the [white canvas lace-ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adererror) comes a kit of patching, felting and darning implements. It sees that the sneakers gradually assume a unique and organic aesthetic which speaks of streets walked and sports played. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.0/10 - Popularity: 81% | Activity: 91% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Sustainable Footwear:** The trend of sustainable footwear promotes consumer involvement in repairing and maintaining their shoes, reducing waste and increasing the lifespan of each pair. - **Repair-as-a-service:** The concept of 'Repair it Yourself' opens up opportunities for businesses to offer repair services, providing customers with the tools and materials to fix their own products. - **Customizable Design:** The 'Repair it Yourself' project encourages the development of customizable sneakers, allowing wearers to create unique and personalized aesthetics through the process of mending and patching. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fashion/apparel:** The fashion industry can explore the 'Repair it Yourself' concept to create sustainable footwear options and promote consumer involvement in repairing and extending the life of garments. - **Diy/home Improvement:** The home improvement industry can tap into the trend of 'Repair it Yourself' by offering tools, materials, and resources for consumers to fix and maintain their own products. - **Sustainability/recycling:** The sustainability industry can leverage the idea of 'Repair it Yourself' to promote waste reduction and encourage consumers to actively participate in repairing and maintaining their possessions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Custom Adaptive Slipper Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swapz-modular-slippers.md) - [Hand-Stitched Artisanal Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sashiko-gals-1.md) - [Sustainable Adapting Shoe Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/baby-shoe.md) - [Customizable Co-Created Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sneaker-maker.md) - [Clothing Repair Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clothing-repair-service.md) - [Customizable Shoe Decorating Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/style-your-toe.md) - [Distressed Canvas Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/loved-to-death.md) - [In-Store Repair Workshops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/love-it-for-longer.md) - [Retooled Reimagined Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/masha-popova.md)