Starting Five: Product Highlights [May 23]
Nike Undercover, ALIVEFORM x House of Errors, Jacquemues, Y-3 and Collina Strada x Melissa
The transition through spring is fully upon us, and with it must come a change in attitudes towards how we cover our feet each morning. It’s time to pack away your winter boots and turn an eye towards tonal slip-ons, water-ready sandals and the advanced technology of a cult-brand’s footwear debut. Here are five product highlights that have been on our minds of late…
Nike Undercover Moc Flow SP
Continuing their rich historical partnership that has never been anything but strong, Nike and Jun Takahashi’s Undercover are back for round two of the Moc Flow SP, a hybrid shape that combines the ACG Moc’s construction with the speckled sole found on the ISPA Flow. Following on from the ‘CHAOS AND BALANCE’ branded twin-pack that hit stores in February, these latest versions feature more subtle branding in the form of embossed Undercover logos to the lateral side of the upper. We’re always in favour of increased wearability so this update is heartily welcomed.
Swapping out trail-ready synthetics for a premium nubuck upper, the Moc Flow SP is a slip-on shoe that features a rope cord with adjustable lock at the centre of the heel for fastening. A predominantly black colourway takes centre stage for us, with the grain of the sole carrying the only contrasting colour. The fairer half of the release arrives in a caramel brown with blue heel accents and a grey-ivory outsole.
Available here
TOPO-01 ALIVEFORM x HOUSE OF ERRORS
Predominantly known for their intricately designed and cut outerwear, House of Errors are a UK label providing a refreshing new take on graphic clothing. Their audacious (and successful) attempts to bring something new to an incredibly saturated market is truly commendable, leading to an instant recognisability of the product. Partnering with Japanese material specialists ALIVEFORM by Commeconception to create their first shoe.
The TOPO-01 is a 3D-printed laceless design that compiles multiple layers in varying arrangements to create its overall form. Underfoot, the signature ‘Shining Eye’ logo that features on so many of House of Errors’ renowned styles is reimagined within the press. An experimental and topographic make-up allows the TOPO-01 to stand-out within the realm of futuristic footwear, with a multi-layered approach to areas of pressure, traction points and webbed cushioning.
The original new model will debut at a pop-up in Tokyo on May 6th at Casanova Vintage in Black as well as a Japan-exclusive colourway. A wider global release featuring a third unnamed colourway in addition to Black will take place the following day on the House of Errors webstore.
Jacquemus Les mules Goia
Featured as part of the brand’s ‘Le Raphia’ collection for SS23, Jacquemus latest slip-on is a sleek and luxurious offering very much in keeping with the brand’s notoriety. The brown iteration of Les mules Goia features a smooth upper constructed from 100% cowskin leather, treated to improve its durability and longevity. The effortless form continues through an ergonomic rubber midsole which wraps around the full length of the shoe before meeting at the heel.
Made in Italy, the outsole features a minimal tread that utilizes organic lines reminiscent of contours on a map, appropriately placed as part of a runway show that celebrated the simplicity and ease of rural life. A padded internal footbed establishes part of a platform sole unit standing at 2.25 inches, while debossed logos to the insole, heel and bottom of the shoe round off a clean and minimalist offering. In addition to the brown, there is a tonal blue colourway featuring indigo denim that consequently comes in at a slightly cheaper price point.
Available here
Collina Strada x Melissa Puff Sandals
Our penultimate select is an appealing collaborative effort between New York’s self-described ‘platform for change and self expression’, and Melissa, champion of jelly shoes. The Brazil-based brand has a track record of products created from their patented proprietary form of PVC called MELFLEX™ which provides increased weather resistance and strength as well as elasticity. The material is odourless, hypoallergenic and completely recyclable, a key point in talks with Collina Strada regarding the release.
The mid and outsole tread combine a fluid and bulbous arrangement of forms that mimic shapes you might find along the coastline. Twin velcro straps fasten the shoes across the bridge of the foot while a pull loop at the heel collar rounds off the closure. Comfort is always key with sandals, in this case provided by a padded EVA footbed stamped with dual brand logos. While we’ve opted to highlight the matte Black colourway here, there are also solid Pink and Lilac as well as glitter versions in Blue and Multi for the more adventurous.
Available here
Y-3 Water Slides
Having forged their own path through pioneering the category of luxury athleisure, Yohji Yamamoto’s adidas imprint unveil their latest Water Slide shape in time for summer. A premium nod to the Three Stripes popular adilette, the profile is constructed from a technical close-weave PU upper hand-stitched to a simple rubber outsole for an open toe silhouette.
Embossed with Y-3’s logo, the comfortable EVA footbed is textured with a minimal crater-like surface that carries intentional variability. Precisely executed punch holes run around a horizontal platform edge to a sole that also carries Yamamoto’s iconic signature on the underside. Arriving in monochrome white and black colourways, this is a footwear choice that will fit seamlessly into a smart summer evening outfit as well as being a functional poolside option.
Available here
