Lapti are traditional woven shoes that were once part of everyday rural life in Russia. Made by hand from natural materials, most commonly bast from tree bark, they were lightweight, simple, and practical. Their distinctive basket-like weave became so closely associated with village life that lapti remain a recognizable symbol of old Russia today.

Making lapti was a craft in itself. Strips of bast or bark were carefully prepared and woven around a wooden form to create the shoe.

Today, the story of lapti continues in a new form. Their woven structure and natural aesthetic inspire contemporary designers, appearing in shoes, bags, accessories, and fashion collections made from leather, textiles, and other modern materials. An object once created for necessity has become an unexpected source of inspiration for modern design.

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