Flats feel casual and easy to wear, but offer little height; wedges add lift but can feel visually heavy or overly formal.
Footwear Design2026
Strata
Sole
A summer platform sandal that combines the relaxed personality of a flat with the confidence and lift of a wedge.
Design a wearable summer shoe that adds height while keeping the relaxed personality and coverage of a flat.
A foot-scan-informed platform sandal pairs a low-profile wedge with a boxy upper and adjustable cord straps for fit and expression.
Overview
A platform sandal between a flat and a wedge.
Strata Sole reimagines the classic summer flat for shorter wearers who want additional height without the formality or visual weight of a traditional heel. Its boxy upper, low-profile wedge, natural materials, and colorful cord details balance ease with self-expression.
- Project
- Individual footwear studio
- Designer
- Lillian Morris
- Focus
- Anthropometrics, fit, fabrication
- Outcome
- Wearable full-scale prototype
Market Gap
The gap between the ease of a flat and the lift of a wedge.
Flats often offer a boxy, professional silhouette but little height. Wedges provide elevation, yet frequently rely on open toes, narrow profiles, and prominent straps.
The opportunity was a breathable, foot-covering design with a low-profile wedge: comfortable and casual, but still polished enough to move beyond the beach.
Foundation
Building from a 3D scan of my foot
I scanned my own foot and converted the scan into a digital 3D model. From that data, I created a physical size 7 foot form that provided a consistent foundation for pattern development, volume decisions, and fit testing.
Ideation
Refining the silhouette
Prototyping
Testing height, fit, and movement
Build the lift
A flat base was combined with a wedge to add 1.75 inches of height. Sewing and adhesive joined the first sole assembly.
Refine the form
Early fit tests revealed gaps around the foot. The toe was narrowed and the heel shortened to create a closer, more controlled fit.
Secure the wearer
Colorful string straps were tested for comfort, adjustability, and grip, turning a structural need into the shoe’s visual signature.
Material Language
Rope, stitched fabric, and visible construction
Stacked rope established the platform’s layered profile and summery material language. Blanket-stitched uppers and braided cords kept the construction expressive while making the shoe adjustable and secure.
Validation
Fit and walking tests
Outdoor fit checks explored how the revised upper sat around my foot. A brief walking trial let me observe the platform and strap behavior through a stride; these observations informed the prototype rather than establishing long-term performance.
A fit study, with durability still to validate
Prototype scope: This individual project explores foot-scan-informed fit, material construction, adjustable straps, and short walking trials. It does not establish long-term comfort, slip resistance, or sole and strap durability.
Next validation: Compare fit across more wearers and foot shapes, document longer supervised wear trials, and evaluate traction on different surfaces. Repeated flexing and measured strap-pull and sole-bond tests would help identify wear, loosening, or separation before further development.
Final Prototype
Strata Sole
A statement platform made for summer movement, combining grounded natural materials with a playful, customizable strap system.
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