Highsnobiety

This article was published on November 28, 2022, and updated on December 7, 2022

Nicole McLaughlin is more than a designer, she’s an artist.

While taking everyday inanimate objects and turning them into functional garments might not necessarily be everyone’s idea of artistry, the way in which McLaughlin approaches and nails the world of upcycling leaves no other suitable descriptor.

It's unique, creative, and totally bizarre in equal measure. Which is a good thing, of course.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

Almost five years has passed since McLaughlin left her full-time position at Reebok to pursue a career in upcycling (a bold move in itself), in which time she's gained over 800,000 Instagram followers and been a part of a multitude of high-profile collaborations with the likes of Crocs and Arc’teryx.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Tiktok.

For Fall/Winter 2022 though, McLaughlin is ready to present something she describes as a “full circle moment,” as she reunites with the Boston-based sportswear label she left in 2018, to create a unique take on their Club C Double Geo that launched in 2021.

"The main inspiration was the Reebok Etna Mid from 1996," she tells Highsnobiety. "The idea was to upgrade it to more modern materials and details such as ripstop nylon and reflective binding.

“I began my career at Reebok and the brand has meant so much to me ever since. I learned so much about the footwear industry and the history of it while I was there. I’m so honored to now be a part of the brand’s history as a collaborator,” she added.

McLaughlin — who has used everything from chipotle napkins, croissants, Haribo packaging, and shuttlecocks to create wearable fashion — has kept things a little lower key this time around, albeit still in-keeping with the outdoorsy aesthetic we’ve come to expect.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

Renowned for her love for climbing and hiking, McLaughlin adds a pocket around the sneaker’s upper (a nod to the styles found on hiking backpacks), as well as a lace garage to tuck the shoelaces into to keep them out of the way on the tongue.

To-date, the Nicole McLaughlin x Reebok Club C Geo Mid — which lands at StockX on December 5 and Reebok December 9 — is the designer’s first full sneaker release, although she's confirmed that there’s plenty more to come.

“This is just my beginning in the collaborative footwear space,” she added. “I have some exciting things coming up for 2023 and beyond that I’m really looking forward to sharing. Stay tuned!”

We Recommend
  • noir kei ninomiya reebok collab 2024
    noir kei ninomiya's Floral Reeboks Are Furiously Pumped
    • Sneakers
  • Models wear Hed Mayner's Spring/Summer 2024 collection
    Hed Mayner's Reebok Collabs Are Too Good to Last Forever
    • Style
  • slip on sneakers
    Why Are So Many Excellent Sneakers Going Laceless?
    • Sneakers
  • Nicole McLaughlin & Merrell 1TRL are collaborating for FW23 to drop the MOC Speed Streak EVO 1TR, a new archive-inspired silhouette.
    Nicole Moc-Laughlin Merrells, Anyone?
    • Sneakers
  • A photo of Nicole McLaughlin & HOKA's collaborative boot shoe
    Nicole McLaughlin Frankenstein'd HOKA's Latest Masterpiece
    • Sneakers
  • Image on Highsnobiety
What To Read Next
  • Nike air max wallet
    This Ain't an Air Max Sneaker. It's Nike's Newest Accessory
    • Sneakers
  • nike air max day 2024 releases
    Nike Air Max Day 2024: Everything Air Lovers Need to Know
    • Sneakers
  • Yayoi Kusama x Louis Vuitton
    In an Era of Collaboration Saturation, How Do Brands Stand Out?
    • Style
  • END. x HOKA sneaker collaboration 2024.
    Can Anyone Stop HOKA?
    • Sneakers
  • Willy Chavarria FW24 Parfums de Marly
    For FW24, Fashion Got Fragrant
    • Beauty
  • comme des garcons new balance 610 snaekers
    COMME des GARÇONS' Dropping the Perfect New Balance Slip-On
    • Sneakers
*If you submitted your e-mail address and placed an order, we may use your e-mail address to inform you regularly about similar products without prior explicit consent. You can object to the use of your e-mail address for this purpose at any time without incurring any costs other than the transmission costs according to the basic tariffs. Each newsletter contains an unsubscribe link. Alternatively, you can object to receiving the newsletter at any time by sending an e-mail to info@highsnobiety.com

Web Accessibility Statement

Titel Media GmbH (Highsnobiety), is committed to facilitating and improving the accessibility and usability of its Website, www.highsnobiety.com. Titel Media GmbH strives to ensure that its Website services and content are accessible to persons with disabilities including users of screen reader technology. To accomplish this, Titel Media GmbH tests, remediates and maintains the Website in-line with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which also bring the Website into conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Disclaimer

Please be aware that our efforts to maintain accessibility and usability are ongoing. While we strive to make the Website as accessible as possible some issues can be encountered by different assistive technology as the range of assistive technology is wide and varied.

Contact Us

If, at any time, you have specific questions or concerns about the accessibility of any particular webpage on this Website, please contact us at accessibility@highsnobiety.com, +49 (0)30 235 908 500. If you do encounter an accessibility issue, please be sure to specify the web page and nature of the issue in your email and/or phone call, and we will make all reasonable efforts to make that page or the information contained therein accessible for you.