Hybrid Shoe Innovation

LaLaLand Production & Design, California’s leading shoe manufacturer, renowned for collaborations with LVMH, Gap, and Amiri, has joined forces with Elastium, a Los Angeles-based 3D-printing startup credited with creating the world’s first fully 3D-printed foam shoes.
Together, they aim to revolutionise the footwear industry with a new Hybrid production model that integrates cutting-edge 3D-printing technology with traditional mass manufacturing methods. This innovative partnership offers footwear brands a faster, scalable, and sustainable solution: no minimum or maximum order quantities, accelerated concept-to-market timelines, and reduced initial investment costs by up to 80%.
Their debut product, the Orca sneaker by ELSTM, will launch this week from LaLaLand’s Los Angeles factory. This collaboration addresses key challenges in the footwear sector, including complex supply chains, high upfront investments, and the demand for more localised, sustainable production.
Robert Karklinsh, Founder of Elastium, explains why the startup chose to empower traditional manufacturing rather than challenge it: “For years, there has been a belief that 3D printing and other advanced technologies would revolutionise footwear by replacing traditional manufacturing.” He adds, “As an engineer and designer, the concept of 3D-printed shoes mass-produced in ‘printer farms’ is intriguing. However, consumer demand goes beyond mere trends like fully 3D-printed shoes, which are perceived as fleeting novelties rather than true revolutions.”
He further emphasises that real progress towards localised production requires putting consumers at the forefront and integrating diverse technologies and craftsmanship to create compelling products that captivate consumers rather than just designers.
Notably, the No-Minimum-and-Maximum-Order-Quantity (No-MMOQ) Hybrid production model enables brands to launch new designs starting from just one pair, leveraging advanced 3D printing technology and seamlessly scaling to mass production when needed.
Elastium’s proprietary 3D-printed foam, offering over 75% energy return, delivers superior cushioning and performance compared to traditional materials like EVA. This model empowers brands to innovate rapidly while upholding quality and cost-efficiency, establishing this partnership as a game-changer for the industry. (1)

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