Sko-Lab is a Stockholm-based footwear design studio founded and creatively led by Tom Rushbrook, a seasoned innovator whose career spans over two decades in the sportswear industry.

Sko-Lab Innovation

With experience that includes key collaborations with global brands such as Nike, PUMA, and Decathlon, Tom has played a pivotal role in groundbreaking developments like FlyKnit and the Air Max franchise.

After parting ways with Nike, Tom transitioned into the world of entrepreneurship, launching Sko-Lab as a platform for design innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the integration of emerging technologies. This move marked a new chapter—shifting from a multinational corporate environment to building a creative, agile, and forward-thinking studio.

Sko-Lab Vision

Sko-Lab’s mission centres on performance innovation and augmented creativity, merging data-driven insights with artificial intelligence to enhance both the design process and product outcomes. The studio works with an interdisciplinary team that spans design, engineering, materials science, and digital modelling—breaking silos and redefining the way footwear is conceptualized and created.

With over 80 internationally patented innovations, Sko-Lab brings deep industry knowledge into the development of next-generation footwear. Designs are often modelled through 3D printing technologies, combining AI-assisted processes with Tom’s extensive experience in the sportswear market.

Exploratory Innovation

Recent collaborations include work with Exploratory Innovation teams to push the boundaries of materials, sustainability, and manufacturing. Sko-Lab’s design approach is rooted in modernizing classic silhouettes—offering a refined, imaginative take on timeless forms.

At its core, Sko-Lab champions purposeful, sustainable, and high-performance solutions, embodying a new era of footwear innovation.

Future of Footwear Design at Sko-Lab

Footwear design is evolving. The integration of artificial intelligence and culturally diverse, multidisciplinary teams is reshaping how we approach product development—resulting in bold, forward-thinking solutions that inspire both brands and consumers.

At Sko-Lab, design innovation goes beyond the shoe. The studio converges multiple disciplines, blending AI-powered design, 3D modelling, packaging, materials, colour strategy, and more—all considered holistically to shape the final outcome. Consumer behaviour and market insights also play a critical role in Sko-Lab’s creative process, ensuring every project is rooted in relevance and purpose.

With a clear focus on redefining what footwear innovation means today, Sko-Lab is paving the way for a more exciting, collaborative, and tech-forward future in design.

All images Sko-Lab Instagram

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