!SYOU proudly presents artist Willfried de Paul from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Our first collection from Burkina Faso shows the perfect example of our co-design philosophy. Designs from local talents are applied to several items from the Burkina Faso collection and are also used in the first edition sneakers designed by !SYOU designer, Esther van Oirschot.
The black cylinders are our !SYOUtubes. Each pair of !SYOU’s was delivered in this piece of art.
The young talented photographer, Francois Ouedraogo from Burkina Faso worked together with famous Dutch photographers Petrovsky & Ramone. Together they co-designed the photoshoot and the campaign images.
This vimeo movie shows the making of the photoshoot of the Burkina Faso collection.
Locally sourced materials are important, not only vibrant and inspiring to use in our products, but also a way to stimulate the local economy.
All materials are chosen on the basis of sustainability and authentic design. Production facilities must live up to our standards of safety, work environment and employee care. Butterfly Works, our local/national governmental contacts, and design experts play an important role in selecting the right partners.
Butterfly Works has developed numerous concepts & products, which contribute to greater equality in the world. Butterfly Works is active in emerging economies because they believe in undiscovered potential. Through serious media, social branding and experiential learning they share knowledge, trigger creativity and build sustainable businesses. During the development of the !SYOU brand and concept, ButterflyWorks created and builded up !SYOUs social/ethical core. This included for example setting up and arranging the country-, talent- & material selection, but also guiding us in our social branding and sourcing/production challenges.
In the summer of 2010 !SYOU launched it's first collection on a sunny Sunday afternoon. In a one-day popup store in Amsterdam the Burkina Faso collection was presented to the public.
The Mondriaan Foundation invited our Burkina Faso creatives to Amsterdam to co-design with top-talents in the Netherlands for a week. The vimeo movie (click on play button, photo above) shows Wilfried de Paul in action.
Recognition !SYOU: Finalist Ben&Jerry’s Join Our Core Competition (2012), Winner Creative Amsterdam Award (2011), Winner round 1&2 New Venture Business Plan Competition (2011), #25 in Dutch SME Innovation Top 100 (2011), Dutch Design Awards / Toon van Tuijll - most promising concept (2010).
!SYOU is a humble pioneer on a never ending journey. And like all adventurers, aid and inspiration comes from amazing friends at every step. The people and the journey are as important as the destination. The challenge and the reward are all in keeping the independent spirit alive and in sharing this with as many like-minded partners and people as possible. It’s always more than money, more than fashion, because !SYOU is more than just a sneaker.
