Raphael Young
15. March 2009 Shoes & Sneakers
“I understand the importance of physics and mechanism as well as art and sculpture. We all work with the same fundaments when you break it down; equilibrium, volume, density, realistic materials and lines of force.“
Inspired by his uncle Alexandre Narcy who spent his whole career working for Yves Saint Laurent, Seoul-born Raphael Young already decided in his early years to become a shoe designer, too.
On detours, over physic studies and an aborted military career, finally, Raphael Young made it to the shoe 10 years ago, was apprenticed to his famous uncle and hired out as a shoe designer for couture and ready-to-wear labels.
With the ambition to create wearable and comfortable shoes that bring architectural/geometrical forms on the feet but keep an harmonic balance of volume, lines and dimension, the 35-years old designer founded his own label in 2008 and presents himself confidently in a market where big names dominate the field.
Besides his woman collection, Raphael Young also designed a small handbag- and men´s shoe line and while being considered as an aspiring shoemaker and designer, I am pretty sure, this sin´t the last time, mister Young will appear at The Zoo.
Photos via Raphael Young.
When Coco Chanel opened her first shop in 1913 in Paris, no one would have been thought that this woman would become one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, a role model for the industrially expanding world and a precursor for female independence.... 
Don´t worry, What´s Wrong With The Zoo isn´t going porn - instead, I have a look towards south. To Munich, Germany. In the midst of the Glockenbachviertel, the AMEN Store doesn´t only hawk unique mirroring but also cares about the good style. (read on) 
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Diese Schuhe brechen jeder aufrichtigen Fashionista das Herz !