Birkenstock taps talented designer Dingyun Zhang on a new collaboration leading up the the Cosy sandal silhouette. Zhang is recognized for oversized puffer jackets and dramatic track pants and this serves as inspiration for the footwear design.
The shoe is influenced by futuristic outerwear, with a focus on the look of puffer coats as the Cosy sandal has a padded upper. This is informed by natural leather materials and rests on top of a cork latex foot bed at the base foundation. This area is complete in a premium nappa leather to ensure full cushioning and comfort. The heel cup boasts silver branding details to round out the entire design. It is offered in two black and white colorway options.
Image Credit: Birkenstock
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Cosy Sandals
- The trend identified in this article is the shift to ultra-comfy, padded sandal styles.
- Puffer-inspired Footwear
- This trend is driven by incorporating elements of bulky puffer coats into the design and construction of footwear.
- Collaborative Designer Partnerships
- This trend is driven by the fashion industry's willingness to bring in creative designers from other fields to help innovate new takes on traditional styles.
Where This Applies
- Fashion
- The fashion industry has opportunities to create and market ultra-comfortable footwear with padding and inspiration from other garments.
- Retail
- The retail industry has opportunities to develop and market cutting-edge, stylish footwear to customers interested in comfort and innovation.
- Textile
- The textile industry has opportunities to create and produce new materials and fabrics with added padding to cater towards the growing trend of comfortable footwear.
