I’ve lost count of the number of footwear collaborations that have crossed my desk over the years–some delightfully unexpected, others decidedly forgettable. But when two household footwear favorites join forces, it’s always worth paying attention. Birkenstock and Repetto, both heritage brands with devoted followings spanning generations, have embarked on a new collaboration that proves balletcore is still very much dancing through fashion’s imagination.
We all know Birkenstock, the orthopedic sandal brand that was once considered the polar opposite of fashionable, yet has spent decades quietly looking after our hardworking feet. In recent years, the practical staple has seen heavyweight fashion houses including Valentino, Jil Sander, Proenza Schouler and Manolo Blahnik all put their own spin on this most functional of flats. Birkenstock 1774, the brand’s elevated and experimental line, serves as a platform for collaborations, uniting the brand’s know-how with the creative vision of some of fashion’s biggest names.
Repetto, meanwhile, may be slightly less familiar outside fashion circles, but its cultural cachet runs deep. Founded in Paris in 1947, the brand is responsible for what Vogue is calling “the original ballet flat.” It was a favorite of Jane Birkin in the 1960s and enjoyed another revival in the early 2000s via Kate Moss. Alexa Chung followed suit in the years after, helping to cement Repetto’s status among a new generation. Today, Kaia Gerber, Lily-Rose Depp, Hailey Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo and Blackpink’s Jennie are among the growing list of Repetto devotees.
Past Repetto collaborations have tended to lean more towards the luxury end of the spectrum. Partnerships with Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, Comme des Garçons, Jacquemus, and Marine Serre have helped broaden the brand’s global reach. This latest alliance between Birkenstock and Repetto, however, feels a little closer to the ground.
