The Kiko Kostadinov Dr. Martens Made in England collection includes two footwear styles developed using reclaimed leather. The women’s TOE BOX shoe reworks a classic Oxford into a hybrid form that combines a Mary Jane profile with a single-eyelet lace system. The upper uses embossed chartreuse suede and two-tone green leather, with cut-out sections and triple contrast stitching applied across the surface.
The men’s STRAP shoe is based on a black leather workwear silhouette, then modified with a riveted crossover velcro fastening system that replaces traditional laces. Both models retain core Dr. Martens construction features, including rounded toe shapes, Goodyear-welt stitching, and grooved air-cushioned soles. The collection is produced within the brand’s Made in England line, with materials and assembly carried out using established manufacturing methods
Image Credit: Kiko Kostadinov, Dr. Martens
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Reclaimed-leather Upcycling
- Design approaches that prioritize reclaimed leather introduce opportunities for novel material narratives and lower-carbon premium product lines.
- Hybrid Footwear Silhouettes
- The fusion of Mary Jane and Oxford elements reveals potential for category-blurring designs that attract cross-demographic consumers.
- Alternative Fastening Systems
- Collections replacing laces with riveted velcro or strap closures suggest new ergonomic and accessibility-driven product propositions.
Sectors Adopting This
- Footwear Manufacturing
- Manufacturers that combine traditional Goodyear-welt techniques with reclaimed materials could redefine premium production models.
- Luxury Fashion
- Luxury brands integrating visible upcycling and hybrid silhouettes may reshape perceived exclusivity through sustainability-led storytelling.
- Sustainable Materials Supply
- Suppliers specializing in high-quality reclaimed leather stand to disrupt raw-material sourcing by enabling traceable circular supply chains.
