Zuna is mysterious, mystical, wild. She is constantly changing and always eludes everyone. She is untouchable. Zuna is one of the strongest and most fateful female characters in Slovak literature. She is the main character of The Bride of the Ridges (Nevesta hôľ) by František Švantner. Despite many life obstacles, the opinions of others, and the desire she evokes, she remains true to herself—devoted only to the forest and nature.The pleating on traditional Slovak highlander boots immediately reminded me of her. It felt like a mystical element that I decided to use as the dominant feature of my “modern” version. The pleats on the instep symbolize her wild nature and loyalty to herself, while the red sole and heel represent her courage and passion. This harmony evokes a sense of “powerful and mysterious femininity” that became the core inspiration for this design. As this was only the second pair of shoes I have ever designed and made, I too had to face many challenge, bringing me even closer to Zuna’s inner strength. For the pleating on the instep, I created a mold in which I shaped the leather. The heel is crafted from hand-carved oak wood and later lacquered in red. On the insole, you can see a pattern embroidered on the instep of traditional highlander boots. The use of “natural” materials was a key element of my design. After all, Zuna is the Bride of the Ridges, disappearing and vanishing into the forest.
