KEEN has gradually been building an impressive collaboration portfolio, having worked with the likes of Gramicci, Hiking Patrol, Hyke, Highsnobiety and Engineered Garments. What we respect about KEEN and all their collaborations is that they don’t do them if they don’t make sense – all of them serve a purpose and for this reason, are some of our favourite footwear collaborations in existence.
The other great thing about KEEN collabs is you never know what silhouette you’re going to get, it’s a lucky dip, like supporting a football team with a defunct striker – anyone could steal the limelight…
Well this time, it’s the iconic Newport sandal, as they join forces with Parisian fashion brand, Études Studio.
The humble & dependable Newport sandal has been a part of KEEN’s roster for a lengthy amount of time, but it’s never appeared quite as it does here – wrapped in Études Studio’s signature É monogram, destining the sandal for more than the back of your damp car after a beach trip. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
The two colourways selected by Études Studio are black and olive, with subtle accents of the brand’s iconic blue and a woven label showcasing the Études Studio logo.
And as great as these sandals are, interestingly they’re not the sole focus of the collaboration…
Both brands have partnered with videographer Grégoire Dyer to create a series of photos capturing the choreographic language of the body.
Set in a refined & minimalist space the images showcase the two models’ body’s architecture as it hovers between control and surrender, suspended in stillness before unravelling into fragmented, sculptural gestures. The body contorts, collapses, and rises again, flirting with the loss of control while sculpting forms of striking precision.
In most disciplines of photography there will be some talk of ‘movement,’ but in true KEEN fashion, this campaign imagery explores it in a totally unique way. Whereas most brands would make their campaign imagery entirely about the product, here it genuinely feels like an afterthought.
The KEEN & Études Studio gets by easily on its own merit, there doesn’t need to be loads of noise muddying up the design. It’s simple, satisfying and understated, which is everything we love about KEEN and their Newport.
The KEEN & Études Studio is available to purchase now from KEEN.
