This spring Birkenstock and gravitypope connected with New York-based ceramicist, Didi Rojas to create her interpretation of 3 iconic Birkenstock styles, the Boston, the Madrid, and the Arizona.

Rojas has become well-known for her impressive ability to replicate and enhance some of the world's most popular shoes using clay as her medium. This unique practice straddles the art and fashion world with passion and creativity. Didi Rojas' unique ability to capture the essence of popular shoes in a medium that is not often associated with footwear has garnered much attention. Her work has been featured in exhibitions, and she has collaborated with various fashion and footwear brands, solidifying her place in both the art and fashion worlds.  

2023 marks a significant milestone for Birkenstock's most popular styles, including the Arizona's 50th anniversary, and the Madrid's 60th anniversary. To celebrate these occasions, Birkenstock and gravitypope asked Didi to create a piece of art based on these iconic styles. Rojas' ability to blend pop-sensationalism and niche communities while remaining rooted in an understanding of hyper-consumerism was the perfect fit for the collaboration. Her work blurs the lines between function and malfunction, showcasing how shoes can be viewed not just as something you wear, but also as actual pieces of art. 

 In a conversation with her sibling, Mars Rojas, the ceramic artist discussed her love for the versatility of clay and her preference for comfortable shoes that she can wear in her studio. Didi also shared her fascination with the ways in which shoes can reveal aspects of their wearer's identity and discussed how her playful experimentation with making ceramic shoes has evolved over time. The full conversation is available in the video below: 

 Photos and video by: Mars Rojas