KEEN works in collaboration with Gramicci as the two drop the Newport Retro sandal -- this marks the second footwear partnership between the two forces. It is partially a water sandal and partially a hiking shoe. Some details include its durable hemp build at the upper and lined with the signature zig-zag mountain stitching by Gramicci. The model is adorned with trail performance elements as it has an adjustable bungee fit and waterproof sensibilities.
The Chief Designer at KEEN's Tokyo Design Center, Kohei Yamazaki, noted, “Newport in hemp is a masterpiece that has been released a few times in the past and was a big hit, especially in Japan. It’s even more special now to bring it back with Gramicci as part of their HEMP capsule collection. We’re both dipping into our archives, looking back to take a step forward for the planet.”
Image Credit: KEEN, Gramicci
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Hybrid Footwear Designs
- The fusion of water sandal and hiking shoe elements showcases a versatile approach to footwear design.
- Eco-friendly Materials in Fashion
- The use of durable hemp in footwear points to a growing trend of incorporating sustainable materials in fashion products.
- Collaborative Capsule Collections
- Collaborations like the KEEN and Gramicci partnership highlight the trend of brands leveraging joint capsule collections to tap into new markets and innovate legacy products.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Outdoor Footwear Industry
- The introduction of hybrid sandals that cater to both hiking and water activities suggests a new dimension for product offerings in the outdoor footwear market.
- Sustainable Fashion Industry
- Fashion brands focusing on eco-friendly materials such as hemp are reshaping industry standards and consumer expectations around sustainability.
- Collaborative Fashion Industry
- The partnership-driven model in fashion is accelerating the pace of innovation and expanding brand reach through targeted co-designed offerings.
