2026 | Professional

French Design Awards Gold Winner

PANSY Air-Step Slip-On

Entrant

Huai’an Huading Shoes Co., Ltd.

Category

Fashion Design - Footwear

Client's Name

Huai’an Huading Shoes Co., Ltd.

Country / Region

China

This slip-on shoe, designed with a deep insight into the pace of modern urban life, precisely meets users’ demand for lightweight and comfortable footwear. By seamlessly blending the breathability of traditional espadrilles with the comfort of modern casual shoes, it addresses the common pain points of conventional footwear, such as the stuffiness of canvas shoes and the bulkiness or difficulty of putting on and taking off typical casual shoes.
The core innovation of the product lies in its groundbreaking material selection and process application. The one-piece fly-knit upper made from polyester yarn delivers a snug fit and excellent breathability. The outsole employs EVA foaming technology and rubber embossing technology, replicating the texture of traditional espadrilles without compromising on lightness or durability. The midsole incorporates Teijin Frontier’s Bell Oasis® moisture-absorbing fiber, effectively keeping the foot dry. Moreover, eco-friendly adhesives are used to ensure no release of harmful substances like formaldehyde.
Aesthetically, the upper creates a striking contrast through two distinct textures, infusing modern design with an artisanal touch to exude natural, relaxed elegance. The shoe adopts the classic silhouette of espadrilles, with the proportion of the toe carefully considered (the spliced section occupies about 25% of the upper) to achieve smooth lines that flatter the foot. The outsole measures about 3 cm in thickness, avoiding a bulky look and offering outstanding support. The palette anchored by a beige base provides multiple fresh color options including green, yellow, oatmeal, and lavender, making the shoe pair effortlessly with any style.
Functionally, the shoe integrates thoughtful human-centric features. A slip-on structure, coupled with an elastic ribbed collar, allows the wearer to easily put on or take off the shoe without bending over. A pull tab at the heel further facilitates convenient on-and-off access. In addition, a soft, anti-chafing crescent-shaped cushion at the heel works in tandem with the slip-resistant outsole tread to comprehensively enhance walking comfort and safety.

Credits

Huai’an Huading Shoes Co., Ltd.
Yi Fei
Huai’an Huading Shoes Co., Ltd.
Xue Xu
Huai’an Huading Shoes Co., Ltd.
Shun Liu
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