Highsnobiety
Double Tap to Zoom
rick owens birkenstock ss21 collaboration (3)
OWENSCORP
1 / 8

When Rick Owens first partnered with Birkenstock back in 2018, the duo dropped some far-out furry sandals and ultra-tall socks. Future drops would slightly pare back the fabric experimentation, instead doubling down on branded buckles. However, the pair's latest effort finds a middle ground, toying with textiles in a previously-unseen manner.

Classic Birkenstock shapes —the Arizona and Boston — join Owens' preferred Rotterdam for three elevated silhouettes. Naturally, Owens has imagined the sandals in timeless black soft leather, but he's also dishing out the Arizona and Boston in glossy "foiled" leathers that betray the collection's industrial influences.

"For our continuation with Birkenstock, in addition to the longer straps from our first season together, I’ve added a sprinkling of riveting on sandals that could have come from one of my favorite Fritz Lang movies," Owens offered in a statement, hinting at the influence of sci-fi films like Metropolis or Woman in the Moon.

Specifically, consider the addition of metal rivets and hardware that lend the sleek shoes a hardened, industrial edge. Birkenstock's classic cork latex footbed, meanwhile, is softened with plush nappa leather, subtle elegance hidden by the wearer's foot. Finally, Owens again lengthened the sandals' straps to create sleekly exaggerated futurist shapes.

"Rick Owens continues to play an important role in our partnerships, his voice being totally unique and more relevant than ever," Birkenstock CEO Oliver Reichert continued. "We are proud to partner with this independent designer on such [a] level."

All of the collaborative footwear launches on June 4 via Birkenstock's website, Rick Owens' web store, his global flagships, and a variety of international retailers.

We Recommend
  • Carhartt WIP, adidas & More: Browse This Season's Latest Drops
  • We Selected This Season's Best Birkenstock Sandals for You
  • First Look: At Rick Owens, It's Raining Men
  • Luxurious Birkenstock Sneakers Designed By Louis Vuitton's Footwear Mastermind
  • A Painfully Sleek Birkenstock Mule Too Cool For the Kitchen
What To Read Next
  • Nike's Most Classic Jordan Sneaker Does "Tiffany"
  • The (Semi-)Formal Speedo
  • adidas’ Wildly Techy Slip-on Shoes Are Back From The Future
  • Nike's Most Minimalist Runner Is Officially Fashion Now
  • Somehow, Clipse Made Carhartt Workwear Even Tougher
  • New Balance’s Dad Shoes Are Extra Powerful as Chunky Dad Slides