Rick Owens X Birkenstock Collaboration

Rick Owens is renowned for his artfully Brutalist designs, think high fashion with a strong gothic edge. With a highly distinctive design flair and the ability to transform wardrobe basics, his clothes carry a statement moodiness with dark undertones, often inscribed with symbolism or devilishly dark messages. For his collections, the designer plays with proportions to create an off-beat mix of oversized shapes and interesting textures, with draped silhouettes, dropped crotches and longline hems. His favoured colour palette is black, with injections of 'chalk white' or 'iron grey'. So committed to his signature glam-grunge aesthetic (or ‘glunge’ for ease of reference) the news of a collaboration with Birkenstock may come as a surprise to some.

Known for their contoured cork foot beds, German shoemakers Birkenstock offer supportive, orthopaedic footwear options that blur the lines between comfort and style. The brand's distinctive sandals are favoured by many but not necessarily in-line with Rick Owen’s signature aesthetic, which makes this collaboration even more intriguing; Could this be the perfect meeting of minds, a harmonious balance of form and function?

When it comes to footwear, Rick Owens favours leather, heavy duty rubber and woven canvas. With knee high options and chunky soles, his footwear offers a fusion of figure fitting elements and oversized proportions. The shoes are almost sculptural art pieces, transcending typical expectations of high fashion footwear.

For Rick Owens X Birkenstock, no sacrifices have been made either side in terms of signature aesthetic. Birkenstock brings hard-wearing, technical sensibilities to the mix, and Owens contributes his boundary pushing nature: extending proportions, interrupting the typical dimensions of the shoes. Rooted in a history of precise German design, Birkenstock ensures support, comfort and quality, while Owens offers an edgy severity that we don't often look for in summer footwear. Fabrics used are leather, suede, felt, cork and cow fur.

Available early June at HERVIA.COM.