The Michael silhouette by Paraboot is updated with the help of the French brand Hélas. The shoe made its first release back in 1945 and continues to deliver a timeless look. It is made from thick leather materials and secured with thin strong laces over the forefoot.
Co-Founders of Hélas, Stephen Khou and Clement Brunnel talk about the design to Highsnobiety, stating that “As two French brands, it made sense for us [Hélas] to collaborate with this classic brand [Paraboot] and to get their 100% made in France savoir faire. The Michael is the most classic shape from Paraboot — we love the look and the simplicity of it. The suede fabric with the sport sole and the D rings are making the shoe more comfy and sporty which represents our DNA.”
Image Credit: Hélas, Paraboot
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Collaborative Footwear
- Brands collaborating on classic, timeless designs offer opportunities for innovation in materials, design and marketing strategies.
- Timeless Silhouettes
- The demand for classic and timeless silhouettes provides opportunities for disruptive innovation in materials, manufacturing, and sustainability practices.
- Sporty Comfort
- The merging of classic designs with sporty comfort features presents opportunities for innovation in functional materials, wearability and customization.
Where This Applies
- Footwear
- There is an opportunity for brands in footwear industry to create partnerships with classic brands in order to refresh and update timeless designs.
- Fashion
- The demand for classic and timeless fashion provides the fashion industry with opportunities for materials innovation, manufacturing efficiency and sustainable practices.
- Sports and Recreation
- Collaborations between classic and sport brands are presenting opportunities for innovation in sporty comfort footwear, from materials to design to customization.
