And Just Like That... Gucci Birkenstocks
This article was originally published on February 3, 2023
Gucci x Birkenstock. Crazy? Yes. Implausible? Kind of. Impossible? Nothing's impossible! But don't get your hopes up.
Here's the context: on February 2, Sarah Jessica Parker was seen filming the an episode of "And Just Like That..." As usual, the actress was wearing an outfit that could be conservatively described as "ostentatious."
We're talking belted mohair robe, patterned cardigan and T-shirt over sweatpants tucked into socks complete with "OUT GETTING RIBS" tote bag — and that's a pretty restrained look for Carrie Bradshaw.
But, Carrie being Carrie, she's swapped her Birkin bag for some Birkenstocks (perhaps for her own safety). Where's MSCHF's Birkin-stock when you need it!?
Don't think that Carrie Bradshaw rocks basic Birks, though. Sold out or not, Birkenstock's Boston clog isn't exclusive enough: try Gucci-monogrammed Birkenstocks.
Now, as much as I'd love to see Birkenstock getting the Gucci treatment, this ain't a preview of some forthcoming sandal collab: Highsnobiety confirmed with Gucci that SJP's Birk Bostons are not an official collab.
Shouldn't be too surprising: Birkenstock has made it known that it's quite choosy with collaborative peers.
Even when it opts to align with a luxury powerhouse, Birkenstock demands stylistic envelope-pushing from its partners. With one minor exception, Birkenstock has typically shunned logomania.
Plus, an LVMH-controlled investment firm has a majority stake in Birkenstock, presumably why we've not seen any Birkenstock/Kering crossovers (Kering is Gucci's parent company).
Still, Gucci Vault has invited collaborations with everyone from Dickies to The North Face — VF Corp-owned companies that often align with LVMH-friendly Supreme, another VF Corp brand — and Gucci's mix-ups with properties like Gremlins are nearly as unexpected as Gucci's Balenciaga and adidas collections, so it didn't seem terribly unlikely that Gucci x Birkenstock could've been legit...
One of the world's hottest brands meets one of the world's most coveted sandals? Sounds like a money manager's dream come true.
But Gucci is more than capable of making its own Birkenstock-style sandals if it so desires and the LVMH-Birkenstock relationship likely makes things pretty complicated.
Though Sarah Jessica Parker's shoes are indeed Gucci-monogrammed Birkenstocks — you can tell by studying the gold hardware, cork footbed, and Birkenstock's recognizable rubber outsole — they're likely a custom piece whipped up for the shoot (Etsy stores offer similar treatment). Anything to make Carrie's coffee run outfit that much more glamourous.
