Flip-flops are usually a little one-dimensional in terms of their fashion relevance – good for the beach or lazing around the house, but not much more – but thanks to a new collaboration between Kostas Murkudis and Flip Flop, they’ve gone decidedly upmarket. Unlike fancy flip flops from brands like Bottega Veneta, however, this line has a more overt design value that explains why customers would want to shell out despite the dire economic outlook.
The collection consists of 3 styles for men and 10 for women, and all pieces are built around a concept of layering. My favorite men’s sandal was a thong that combined multiple materials and treatments – grey cotton canvas, braided leather and plain leather straps with a multi-layer sole that mixed espadrille raffia, EVA and rubber.
For the women’s collection, the fashion quotient got a little crazy – these are shoes that could hold their own against YSL stiletto boots, so don’t be surprised if they sell-out or require a waiting list. My favorite styles were sculpted wedges with a silhouette reminiscent of early Ferragamo’s, layered with suede and cork. Another style featured sculpted metallicized leather, while yet another echoed a Japanese tabi sandal influence, with a shaped platform.
Murkudis wanted to emphasize comfort and unlike many designer collaborations, he obviously invested much time and energy ensuring a buzz-worthy result. Some of the designers behind those Target and Topshop capsule lines could take a lesson from his example
