Photo by Matt Trappe for Altra
Photo by Beau Ryan Hanley for Altra
THE BRIEF
I was commissioned by the team at Altra to create a shoe design that tells the story of one of their sponsored athletes, the celebrated runner, Alysia Montańo.
This design, the Escalante 3 Fierce, celebrates duality: as both an athlete and a mother, Alysia is both fierce and feminine. She shows that you don’t have to choose strength over softness. You can be bold; proudly and loudly show off all sides of yourself.
Photo by Beau Ryan Hanley for Altra
Photo by Beau Ryan Hanley for Altra
Final specs of the Altra Escalante 3: Fierce
THE STORY
Alysia Montaño is a 2012 Olympian, seven-time USA Champion, American 4x800 record holder, author, activist and the mother of 3 children. Additionally, she is known for pioneering the conversation around normalizing motherhood for professional athletes.
She has advocated for industry support for mothers and pregnant athletes and has empowered women to proudly embrace both motherhood and their careers.
She has advocated for industry support for mothers and pregnant athletes and has empowered women to proudly embrace both motherhood and their careers.
I had the opportunity to speak with Alysia several times over the course of designing this limited-edition shoe for her. We connected over the concept of femininity and ferocity and how those concepts don't have to be mutually exclusive.
We delighted over a shared love of flowers: how the are viewed as soft, but are inherently strong, resilient, and rooted.
I was honored to create this shoe for her.
Photo by Beau Ryan Hanley for Altra
THE DESIGN
I illustrated all assets in ingredient-specific bundles that could be splashed across each layout. It was paramount for each gift set to be unique to its scent notes but still cohesive as a full collection.
All compositions were illustrated on iPad Pro in Procreate.
Files were finalized in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator
SYMBOLISM
Alysia wanted her story to highlight her family, so we chose to include flowers that represented strength, feminine power and motherhood. Additionally, I included botanical elements to represent each of her three children.
These were woven in as surprise details.
These were woven in as surprise details.
COLOR + PLACEMENT
I wanted to beautifully highlight the duality of feminine strength and athletic power.
While the florals are the core of this design, leopard print needed to make a strong appearance as explosive energy. I created a custom print for the back of the shoe and footbed.
From behind, the shoes appear to be leopard print.
We had fun with the idea that anyone running behind Alysia would be left "in her dust" of leopard print.
From behind, the shoes appear to be leopard print.
We had fun with the idea that anyone running behind Alysia would be left "in her dust" of leopard print.
Initial concept and sketch board by Maggie Enterrios for Altra, inspired by Alysia Montaño
Spec sheet of illustrated shoe
Dieline for the Escalante 3 Fierce shoe, by illustrator Maggie Enterrios
Tools used:
Adobe Fresco
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Photo by Matt Trappe for Altra
The Escalante 3 Fierce is currently available on Altra.com
"An Altra classic is here with an all-new modern look. The new Escalante 3 is here to refresh your run with premium style updates like our sock-like upper material and added elastic for an improved fit to your foot. This new road shoe also comes equipped with our Altra EGO™ midsole foam and our Standard FootShape™ Fit for a versatile yet comfortable ride."
-altra.com
Photo by Matt Trappe for Altra
Thanks for viewing!
See more of my work at littlepatterns.com or follow me on Instagram for more.
See more of my work at littlepatterns.com or follow me on Instagram for more.