OUR WORK
LOBO: The world’s first variable high-heel
Business by day, party by night—meet the world’s most versatile shoe.
Designed for timeless appeal and endless functionality, LOBO makes shoes with three different heel heights. With the click of your heel, you can switch from a high heel to a low heel.
Born from a desire to blend sophistication with versatility, LOBO Footwear was established to empower women to elevate their style seamlessly from day to night. LOBO understands the hustle of the modern woman—the need to transition from a corporate setting to an evening outing without skipping a beat.
hone.pd helped LOBO with ideation, concept design, prototyping and manufacturing specification, support, and consulting on their groundbreaking shoe.
LOBO’s beginning
In 2021, hone.pd began working with Sherel Schnyder, LOBO’s founder, to create a fashionable and funky convertible heel. With conservative options and wild upgrades, LOBO is for women who work in professional industries where heels are still an expectation and cost isn't a huge barrier.
After several iterations from initial concept and market research into proof of concept, detail design, multiple rounds of prototyping and consulting on manufacturing and supply, LOBO was born.
Manufacturers across Turkey, Italy, and Portugal were considered before finding a factory willing to take on this challenge. The result is a heel that can be easily and swiftly removed and replaced with a different size or style, moving seamlessly between one-inch flats and four-inch heels.
"hone.pd have been amazing and have made my dreams come true"
Scherel Schnyder
Founder LOBO
The challenge of creating the shoe
It's an idea that's often been tried and failed—designing a shoe with various heel heights.
After developing several different mechanisms to alter the foot shape between a flat and a high heel, finding a mechanism that allows for flex is one thing, but creating a mechanism able to flex—and rigidly support the foot in multiple positions that will then fit into a standard heel size whilst being cost-effective and durable enough to endure running and walking for an extended period of time—was another.
Four design overhauls and different mechanisms were required to meet budgets and meet performance standards. The winning design has a stiff rubber front and softer rubber mid, with a hard plastic back and heel area.
As the world’s most adaptable shoe, LOBO promises an end to the compromise between elegance and practicality. The adjustable heels ensure that you can glide into any scene with confidence and comfort, making you the master of your look.
“LOBO is a movement that empowers women to embrace all aspects of their lives without compromise. It represents the freedom to pursue fashion, function, and everything else that matters to us without limitations or barriers. It's about reclaiming the right to have it all—whether it's in our footwear choices or any other aspect of our lives.
You can learn more about LOBO here.
Project stages
Concept
Product Design
Prototyping
Manufacturing support
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