G.H.BASS x DSM Kei Ninomiya reinterprets the classic Larson penny loafer for Autumn/Winter 2026, marking a collaboration between the footwear brand and Dover Street Market’s first in-house label. Designed by Kei Ninomiya, the project revisits the silhouette originally introduced in 1936, retaining its slip-on construction and distinctive saddle strap. The collection comprises two men’s styles in embossed polished black and rich wine leather, bringing a textured finish to the longstanding design.
Both versions feature a custom Dover Street Market hut logo nickel coin set within the traditional penny slot, transforming the historic detail into a signature element. The loafers retain G.H.BASS’s hand-sewn moccasin construction and are handcrafted in El Salvador with tonal stitching, cushioned insoles and branded leather insocks. Additional details include breathable unlined construction, protective rubber taps and polished leather soles. The collaboration marks G.H.BASS’s 150th year while pairing its established craftsmanship with Kei Ninomiya’s experimental approach.
Image Credit: DSM, G.H. Bass
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Heritage Footwear Remix
- Classic silhouettes gain new relevance when archival construction is paired with contemporary design codes, creating space for premium products that balance nostalgia with modern collectibility.
- Designer Logo Artifacts
- Embedded brand details such as custom coins and hardware turn functional features into signature identifiers, opening opportunities for accessories that feel collectible and culturally specific.
- Textured Formal Classics
- Embossed leather and rich finishes refresh traditional dress footwear, suggesting demand for subtle statement pieces that bridge conservative styling and experimental fashion.
Sectors Adopting This
- Luxury Footwear
- Collaborative reinterpretations of iconic shoes can extend product lifecycles while attracting fashion-forward consumers to established craftsmanship brands.
- Menswear Fashion
- Elevated loafers with artisanal construction and distinctive detailing support a shift toward expressive formalwear that remains wearable in everyday wardrobes.
- Retail Collaborations
- Partnerships between legacy labels and concept retailers create differentiated limited releases, strengthening exclusivity and brand storytelling in competitive fashion markets.
