The main aim of Stephanie Hensley’s collection is to subvert established modes of thinking both in China and on an international scale through a variety of contrasts. The first was to challenge the long-standing stigma of the term “Made in China” and assumptions that represents by producing a collection of high quality luxury footwear in the country most widely known for mass-producing cheap, low quality goods. Within each shoe, the names of the people who have worked on that shoe have been listed, providing a human aspect and challenging the view of the faceless production lines of China.
The use of symbolism in colors and imagery is ever present and almost inherently accepted and internalized in China. This collection also aims to subvert these traditional symbols by pairing contrasting meanings, almost voiding the symbols’ essence as a result.
