Toogood and Birkenstock launch a Spring/Summer collection of shoes and clothing and a sculptural bed.
#BirkenstockToogood
The foundation of the collection sees a re-sculpting of classic Birkenstock footwear styles, lent an organic feel via a signature palette of materials including canvas, felt and suede. The process of designing the sandals’ new cuts and puffy forms, saw Toogood’s team developing shapes from a series of handmade sculptures made in the studio.
“Birkenstock and Toogood is a combination of genuine craftmanship and uncompromising quality. The unique take and talent of Faye Toogood creates a whole new version of our iconic designs. We look forward to seeing what is the next level of functional design.” – Oliver Reichert, Birkenstock CEO
“To collaborate with such an iconic brand as Birkenstock has been an incredibly rewarding experience and one that marks an important moment in Toogood’s growth. For me, Birkenstock represents comfort and timeless, recognisable, sculptural form – all qualities I admire and strive for. Talking with Mr. Reichert, I found we shared so many values from high quality materials to manufacture. The opportunity to extend our partnership beyond shoes to clothing and a bed, brought a truly holistic approach to the design of the collections, reflecting the way I think and work – without boundaries.” -Faye Toogood
The Collection
The three sandal styles for men and women – the Forager, the Mudlark and the Beachcomber – draw inspiration from the idea of objets trouvés, fragments of the past unearthed for collection and display. To accompany the footwear there is a complementary capsule collection of workwear and accessories, characterised by sculptural forms and fluid silhouettes. The neutral palette of black, white and grey, with a shot of yellow in the shoes, echoes the monochrome canvas coats of Toogood’s first collection, accentuating the focus on shape, cut and texture. The act of recutting the Birkenstock sandal is highlighted throughout the capsule collection in prints which incorporate the pattern shapes of the sandals into bold, graphic designs.
Deepening the collaboration, Birkenstock and Toogood have created a new bed, combining Birkenstock’s expertly constructed sleep system and Toogood’s distinctive design approach. Taking inspiration from the original BIRKENSTOCK footbed this unique bed design applies Birkenstock’s health-promoting principles for walking and standing to lying and sleeping. Bringing to the world of sleep the level of functionality that Birkenstock is famous for.
Puffy layers of canvas and leather upholstery create a soft form, which sits on a cork base with the signature Birkenstock natural mattress and slatted frame incorporated within. The headboard and top surround are upholstered in cream leather, embracing its natural texture.
The bed will be available upon request, on the brand website http://www.birkenstock.in/1774
Price on request.
About TOOGOOD
Toogood is a London-based design studio founded in 2008 by Faye Toogood. Faye has a BA in Art History from the University of Bristol and was Interiors Editor at The World of Interiors for eight years. Her practice encompasses interior design, homewares, fine art and fashion, and refuses to be constrained by a single discipline or defined way of working. Describing herself as an ‘outsider’ whose work defies categorisation, Faye has created a studio which allows a movement between genres. Architects, sculptors, furniture makers and illustrators cross-pollinate on every project, producing work that is rigorous, poetic and genuinely avantgarde. Faye co-founded the fashion side of the business with her sister, Erica Toogood. Toogood’s clothing is instilled with the unmistakable spirit of both sisters: Faye’s preoccupation with materiality and Erica’s audacious shape-making. One a tinker, the other a tailor. Toogood fashion has more than 60 stockists worldwide, including
Selfridges, Dover Street Market and Matches.
About BIRKENSTOCK
BIRKENSTOCK is a global lifestyle brand with a heritage in iconic footwear, rooted in the creation of the BIRKENSTOCK footbed. The brand that can be traced as far back as 1774 is guided by the notion of quality and function in all its actions and across categories. The concept of all-round wellbeing is developed into footwear, sleeping systems and Natural Cosmetics, increasingly translating the lifestyle vision of the brand heritage. With more than 4,300 employees worldwide, this traditional, sixth-generation family-run business is also one of the German footwear industry’s biggest employers. BIRKENSTOCK was already using the term “footbed” in the 1910s, giving it the meaning, which is commonly understood by consumers all over the world to this day – as a synonym for outstanding comfort when walking and standing. By the early 1970s, BIRKENSTOCK had become a global player. Manufactured in Germany, the sandals are now sold in more than 100 countries on all continents. BIRKENSTOCK also has a growing range of closed shoes, children’s shoes, and occupational footwear, as well as specialist products for orthopedic retailers, socks, bags, and belts. In 2017, BIRKENSTOCK added sleep systems and natural cosmetics (BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE) to its portfolio of products. BIRKENSTOCK has 16 sites in Germany, in the states of North RhineWestphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Bavaria, and Saxony. The long-standing family-owned enterprise also operates its own sales offices in the United States and Canada as well as in Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Denmark, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Dubai and India.
