In shoe making a last is the tool used to substitute the human foot. When in the beginning of the notion to cover the feet with material for protection pieces of leather were tied around the foot and were then, through use, shaped around the foot. Nowadays we use the last as a kind of extension of the human body to fit and shape the material, which is thereby prepared to accommodate the human foot.
In the context of industrialised production this means the last is made according to generalised standards and measurements, sizes, which have been developed through time. Each size, shape, heel height needs its pair of lasts to allow production. The last, as the main form giving element in the shoe making process, is also the most difficult to do without or modify. As a fundamental resource, it implies an immense investment not only monetary but also in terms of storage. Once a shape is taken out of the range of the maker’s collection it becomes a resource without use.
What if instead of needing an individual pair of lasts for every size and shape, you had a modular last which could accommodate for the changes necessary?
The goal is to create a modular last system that limits necessary resources to a minimum and allows the biggest possible variety.
