“Seeing those wonderful women who used to go to Milan to browse and buy [proper] shoes, in the mid-1990s and the turn of the century, [they] started wearing those terrible sport shoes. I found it quite horrible,” renowned Spanish footwear designer Manolo Blahnik told Highsnobiety in an interview. “It’s this lack of respect for people. Maybe I’m sticking to my old ideas of what’s polite, but I hate to see someone who’s very elegant [wearing sneakers].”
Apparently, the aversion to comfortable shoes doesn’t extend past the sportswear realm, with designer Manolo Blahnik an avid fan of quintessential comfy shoe Birkenstocks. A longtime fan of the German brand’s slip on styles, Blahnik claims to wear the shoes almost everyday and was even photographed for a Birkenstock campaign in 2020, wearing the Boston clog.
Now, the Spanish footwear designer is teaming up with the German sandal purveyor to create a footwear capsule that amalgamates the seemingly opposing concepts of extravagance and ergonomy. The collection utilises the Birkenstock Arizona and Boston silhouettes, swapping out the signature leather for the luxurious jewel-toned velvet and sparkling buckles featured on popular Manolo Blahnik styles like the Lurum and ever-popular Hangsi made famous by Carrie Bradshaw in the first Sex and the City film. A collection of the times, the Manolo Blahnik x Birkenstock styles represent the simultaneously grounding and escapist way of dressing that has become relevant over the past couple of years. “You could wear this collection with casual trousers or a ball gown – both would look marvellous,” Blahnik noted.
Each style within the seven-piece capsule collection was crafted in the Birkenstock factory, using signature Manolo Blahnik fabrics like velvet and leather. To further elevate the shoes, the signature Birkenstock cork sole was covered in leather to create a more sleek, seamless feel. “It’s been a privilege to reimagine Birkenstocks in my way, and they have been crafted so well in their factory,” said Blahnik. “Divine!”
An orthopedic-friendly collection for the Carrie Bradshaws among us, the Manolo Blahnik x Birkenstock capsule will launch via both brands’ webstores on March 24th. Sign up below to be notified when it drops.
Words by Esmé Duggan
