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London-based artist and designer Helen Kirkum focuses on giving recycled and deadstock materials a new purpose.
![Main cover](http://images.ctfassets.net/8otutru2e44g/2a4JnTelcmD9Nd9oBHlgEU/4c9d70a273b60129c068267f4ed99a22/Helen_Kirkum_1x1_Inset_2.jpg?w=1600&h=1600&fl=progressive&q=80&fm=jpg)
Her made-to-order sneaker service deconstructs and reassembles treasured kicks, combining different brands and styles into one-of-a-kind products.
![Main cover](http://images.ctfassets.net/8otutru2e44g/6UcIDkfp8O9OjLXTi4Yp08/3c6eaffb4dd3270bc0a0a929b810b09d/Helen_Kirkum_1x1_Inset_3.jpg?w=1600&h=1600&fl=progressive&q=80&fm=jpg)
After working on Adidas’ design team, Helen started to see how she could make a big impact on the wider footwear industry and set up her own studio.
![Main cover](http://images.ctfassets.net/8otutru2e44g/2syErsOn70r1dCqU9orRms/f73a69c0b7cd75e2b8982ec9cf213e55/Helen_kirkum_1x1_Inset_4.jpg?w=1600&h=1600&fl=progressive&q=80&fm=jpg)
Building each new product is a unique process, Helen explains: ‘It’s like a collage, mixing and matching pieces together until I feel confident in each design.’
![Main cover](http://images.ctfassets.net/8otutru2e44g/3jtcQvoD60iglYlPKAdoxI/b906f66bb658a2b24b6ebda1708b1055/Helen_Kirkum_9x16_Inset_5.jpg?w=1440&h=2560&fl=progressive&q=80&fm=jpg)
Nov 08, 2021
Photographed by
Tami Aftab