Kobi and the Playful World of Shoes is the name of the new exhibition, the first major showing in the UK highlighting Kobi’s workpieces that challenge the conventional definitions of design, art and fashion, while exploring the genre of ‘extreme footwear’. The exhibition will feature hand crafted shoes designed as animals, bananas and even coffee pots, exploring how everyday items can be transformed into stylish and funny creations that can be worn or admired as art.

Councillor Brandon Eldred, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for community engagement, said: “We’re delighted to host Kobi’s first major exhibition in the UK and with Northampton being the shoemaking capital of England, Northampton Museum & Art Gallery is the perfect venue for it”. Eldred continued, commenting on future expectations for the Museum & Art Gallery: “With the museum expansion plans put in place, we hope to feature even more upcoming designers to complement our world renowned shoe collection on display.”

Kobi began his career as a footwear designer in 2001, after graduating from Bezalel Academy of Arts & Design, in Jerusalem, and following on his childhood passion. Working as a freelance footwear designer, Kobi learned the trade secrets of shoe development and craftsmanship. For his own leisure he designed unique, creative and innovative shoe styles, which challenged the standard definitions of design, art and fashion to create a niche of their own. These footwear art creations were uploaded to a blog started in April 2010. Soon the blog and its content started to catch the attention of shoe lovers and celebrities and reactions streamed in from all over the world. This over-night exposure brought Lady Gaga to use the design Double Boot in her Born this Way music video. Worldwide attention and publications led to a growing demand for Kobi's artistic styles. A year later, the designer opened his studio in Tel Aviv and started to offer his original and limited edition designs for sale.

About his new exhibition, Kobi Levi commented: “I have been showing my work for 16 years and this is my biggest exhibition so far. I’m very excited and honored to hold it in Northampton as it is a place with great shoe making tradition and history.”

An exhibition that has been described as fusing new design with traditional hand making skills while it emphasizes the artistic approach to design and craftsmanship, Kobi and the Playful World of Shoes will be on display from May 24 until July 20. Admission is free.