U.K. retail label END. worked alongside Massachusetts-based footwear label Saucony to rework its signature Grid 8500 sneakers. The two draw inspiration from the sea when giving the silhouette a new makeover, specifically looking to the lobster. The shelled creature is a special delicacy on the East Coast shoreline where Saucony is based. The influence is mainly translated through the colorway, adorned with two tones of orange -- 'Jaffa' and 'Orange Peel.'
The uppers are constructed from a series of different textile materials, including suede and leather blends. There is also a weathered patina leather used to construct the tongue and collar. The lacing system is finished in blue and the insoles have a claw print to correlate with the lobster theme. The new collaborative reworked Grid 8500 Lobster sneakers will be launching on May 11th.
Lobster-Inspired Sneakers
End. & Saucony Draw Inspiration from the Sea to Rework Its Grid 8500
Trend Themes
1. Ocean-inspired Sneakers - The collaboration between END. and Saucony showcases the trend of drawing inspiration from the sea in sneaker designs.
2. Colorway Innovation - The two-tone orange colorway of the Grid 8500 Lobster sneakers demonstrates the trend of using unconventional color palettes in footwear.
3. Theme-based Collaborations - The partnership between END. and Saucony highlights the trend of collaborating with different brands to create themed collections.
Industry Implications
1. Footwear - The sneaker industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by incorporating ocean-inspired designs and unconventional colorways.
2. Fashion Retail - Fashion retailers can capitalize on the trend of theme-based collaborations by partnering with brands to create unique and limited-edition collections.
3. Textile and Leather - The textile and leather industries have a chance to innovate by developing new materials and finishes that mimic the texture and appearance of marine creatures like lobsters.