In Chinese, the character 履 (lǚ) refers to that which the foot rests upon. It later extended to mean “shoes”, and further carries the connotation of walking, practising and fulfilling.
Launched in 2021, the ON‑FOOT series originated from FOOT INDUSTRY founder Zhao Ming’s personal journeys in pursuit of design inspiration. Over five years, the brand has immersed itself in local cultures, studied time‑honoured craft techniques, and explored sustainable, locally sourced materials — weaving the spirit of craftsmanship into contemporary footwear design. It has always been our conviction that walking is the most authentic form of engagement between people and the world.
From the embroidery of Yunnan and the incense craft of Nimu, to the traditional smoked leather heritage of Inner Mongolia — the footprints of ON‑FOOT have become a constant wellspring of inspiration for each collection. A shoe is an object; it becomes a vessel when walking imbues it with stories. Through our journeys, we continue to unearth cultural memories deeply rooted in the land.
This past summer, we journeyed to the pastoral landscapes of Ganzi, exploring the meaning of objects and craftsmanship in Tibetan life through the concept of Lingka — a beloved staple of herders’ daily existence. In Ganzi, Lingka is fluid by nature: it unfolds wherever there is lush grass and wildflowers. Unroll a Tibetan rug, set out simple vessels, arrange humble portions of food — pause wherever you wish, and sit between earth and sky. It is the most poetic pause in nomadic life: not to arrive at a destination, but to spread a mat and rest in the spaces between walks.
Drawing from the concept of Lingka, FOOT INDUSTRY presents a special product line — The Lingka Set. Taking the brand’s signature leather as its core design medium, the collection integrates Tibetan craftsmanship and local materials. It includes black pottery ware created in collaboration with Jiduo Workshop in Dege Maisu, hand‑moulded leather trays, and two hair‑on hide pouches — Jingshan and Zuifeng — inspired by everyday objects in Tibetan life. These pieces bring the quiet, understated companionship of nomadic life into daily use.
In August, we brought five years of walking memories to Aranya, presenting them for the first time in the exhibition Rest in Lingka — ON‑FOOT Special Project. The space reinterprets the imagery of an alpine pasture tent for the coast: lengths of fabric hang like prayer flags, transforming the Flow in Motion pop‑up into a transient Lingka — a place to pause and rest by the sea.
By the shore, heaven and earth form our mat, and crafted objects our companions.
