Mihai Albu

Mihai Albu, in full Ion Mihai Albu (born Aug. 9, 1962, Bucharest, Romania) Romanian fashion designer best known for his signature line of high-end women's footwear, also called "The Shoe Architect".
Early life
Albu was born the youngest of two children in a family of economists. His mother, Zinaida Albu, born in Chisinau, Moldavia, was an economist and his father, Longin Albu, born in Lancram, Jud. Alba, worked as a professor at ASE (The Bucharest University of Economic Studies) and General Director for the Romanian National Television, TVR. Longin Albu passed away in 1978, when Mihai was only 16 years old. Zinaida Albu raised her two sons, Mihai Ion Albu and Alexe Lecinius Albu, by herself.
Personal life
In 2004, Mihai Albu married Iulia Vochita, with whom he has a daughter, Mikaela Ioana Albu. In 2013 their marriage ended.
Education and career
1969 - 1977 Primary School nr.99 in Bucharest
1977 - 1981 "Dimitrie Cantemir" High School in Bucharest
1983 - 1990 "Ion Mincu" Institute of Architecture in Bucharest
As a young student, Mihai started as a successful architect whose projects were displayed in galleries alongside the works of other famous artists, during reign, and it wasn’t long before his hand-crafted avant-garde creations arose the interest of competing companies who soon began negotiations for partnerships.
In 1985 Mihai Albu had a cooperation with the National Art Club Gallery, selling his creations.
In 1988 he was rewarded by the Decorative Arts Biennale in Romania.
Right after graduating the Architecture Insititute in 1990, he started his own company: AMI Design S.R.L., which main field of activity was Product Design.
First Mihai focused on Lighting and Furniture Design, but after a short while he has transferred his architectural skills into the fashion world.
He took the Shoe Design to another level with a whole new concept, a structural architecture approach, as a primary art form in itself, earning him the nickname ‘The Shoe Architect’.
Albu has mentioned Antoni Gaudi as a major source of inspiration in his work but also Constantin Brancusi, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.
AMI Design focused on the production of short-series shoe ware, personalized bags and leather goods. Mihai Albu’s decision to found his own company soon proved to be a big success, and the opening of the first MIHAI ALBU boutique marked his entry among the main upper market players.
Collaborations
1992 - 1995 had a cooperation as a graphic designer for Valvis Holding S.A.
2004 - Athens - Official Partner of the Romanian Olympic And Sports Committee
2008 - Beijing - Official Partner of the Romanian Olympic And Sports Committee
Nicola Formichetti
Johnny Wujek
Awards and honours
2012 - Awarded by World Record Academy
Mihai Albu: 'I am creating a constructed chaos'
Three Black Wedges - Part of 'Structures & Megastructures' collection S/S 2010
This shoe has a 31 centimeter heel sandal and it is a construction of three black wedge sandals.
It blends high-tech architecture with design and only comes in small sizes.
Obtained the World Record Academy's title 'the tallest sandal in the world' for 31 cm (12.2 inch)
2003 - 2012 Best Romanian Shoe Designer - Fashion TV Festival

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