Something strange is afoot, literally, across the pond. While New York Fashion Week this season was largely defined by the "see now, buy now" phenomenon, once Fashion Month moved on to London, the standout trend became more of a comeback story. For spring '17, British designers are all about some of our favorite — or at least nostalgia-inducing — shoe brands, creating totally unexpected (and seemingly random) collaborations to accompany their new designs.
You may have already heard about (and either loved or hated) Christopher Kane's puzzling and incredibly divisive decision to send Crocs down the runway. Before the Crocs had their unexpected LFW cameo, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi featured another surprising pair-up, working with Ugg to create what appear to be the most comfortable flatforms known to mankind. Then, at the tail end of London Fashion Week, Shrimps officially made it a thing by lending its signature faux-furry accents and textures to Converse All Stars.
These aren't the first brands that come to mind when we think of catwalk footwear. Then again, it's a pretty on-trend solution to rounding out a look. We've seen so-called "ugly" shoes get a popular boost over the past few years — from the rise of the Birkenstock to Ugg's ongoing rebrand effort. Still, this spring '17 approach is a bit different, because designers are reinventing these instantly recognizable silhouettes with their own brand signatures, making them runway-worthy pieces. Now, will the fashion flock bite? We'll have to wait to see once these styles hit shelves; yes, most of these will actually be available for purchase. Check out the collaborations ahead, and decide for yourself if these kicks are blasphemous or brilliant.
Shrimps x Converse
"I've always worn Converse," Shrimps designer Hannah Weiland said in a statement. So when she had the opportunity to create bespoke Chucks to accompany her spring '17 presentation, Weiland applied some of the fantastical materials that define her brand's aesthetic — such as faux fur, lace, and broderie anglaise — to transform the well-known (and well-loved) shoe.
The Shrimps-ified All Stars, which include both high- and low-tops, draw from the key themes of the brand's spring '17 collection ("modern Marie Antoinette, playful opulence, with Gauguin and Edward Wadsworth influences," according to a press release), enhanced by some of Weiland's signature touches — namely, faux-fur accents.
We've reached out to Converse to see if these styles were a one-off, or if we'll actually be able to get our hands on a pair. (Hey, we've developed a penchant for delightfully impractical sneakers.) In the case of Shrimps, who knew countryside glamour, faux fur, and Chuck Taylors went so well together?
Photo: Courtesy of Shrimps.
Shrimps x Converse
Photo: Courtesy of Shrimps.
Shrimps x Converse
Photo: Courtesy of Shrimps.
Shrimps x Converse
Photo: Courtesy of Shrimps.
Shrimps x Converse
Photo: Courtesy of Shrimps.
Shrimps x Converse
Photo: Courtesy of Shrimps.
Shrimps x Converse
Photo: Courtesy of Shrimps.
Preen by Thornton Bregazzi x Ugg
Blink and you might miss the Ugg Treadlite sole on those Preen by Thornton Bregazzi spring '17 platforms. It's more subtle of a collaboration than, say, Ugg's partnership with Teva. According to Preen's cofounders, the shoe's inspired in part by Tokyo's pastel-goth aesthetic and by Jeff Koons's work in balloon manipulation. Ugg provided the signature sole (and accompanying technology), and Preen brought the catwalk sensibility. The result? "Runway shoes that are effortless and edgy, cute and tough; it’s all about the attitude," Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi said in a joint statement.
"I know many people will be surprised by this collaboration," Andrea O’Donnell, president of Fashion Lifestyle at Deckers Brands (Ugg's parent company), noted in a press release. "But we have wanted to work with Preen for some time as we saw a great fit with our core design values: Much like us, they have always done their own thing, regardless of trend, and they continue to re-invent the idea of femininity."
Two styles were featured on the spring '17 runway: an extra-high flatform sandal and a normal slide — both finished with extra-large bows and very likely to elicit an "I can't believe it's actually Ugg!" response. While pricing for these shoes isn't yet available, they're expected to hit shelves in February 2017.
Photo: Courtesy of Ugg.
Preen by Thornton Bregazzi x Ugg
Photo: Courtesy of Ugg.
Preen by Thornton Bregazzi x Ugg
Photo: Courtesy of Ugg.
Preen by Thornton Bregazzi x Ugg
Photo: Courtesy of Ugg.
Preen by Thornton Bregazzi x Ugg
Photo: Courtesy of Ugg.
Preen by Thornton Bregazzi x Ugg
Photo: Courtesy of Ugg.
Preen by Thornton Bregazzi x Ugg
Photo: Courtesy of Ugg.
Christopher Kane x Crocs
We're still processing the possibility of Crocs being a serious, non-ironic part of our wardrobe next season. In case you missed it: Christopher Kane delighted some and shocked many when he put actual Crocs on the runway. The Classic sandal was hardly manipulated, save for a few marbled outers and oversized gemstone charms that didn't do much to distract from the fact that, yes, those are in fact Crocs on the catwalk.
Social media had — and still has — thoughts on the ramifications this could have on our future closets. But since these special-edition Crocs will actually be available for purchase, it might become a thing. You've been warned.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Kane.
Christopher Kane x Crocs
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Kane.
Christopher Kane x Crocs
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Kane.
Christopher Kane x Crocs
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Kane.
Christopher Kane x Crocs
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Kane.
Christopher Kane x Crocs
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Kane.
Christopher Kane x Crocs
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