BIRKENSTOCK X Central Saint Martins

BIRKENSTOCK X CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS
#BIRKENSTOCKxCSM

Birkenstock releases the MA fashion collection
with the Central Saint Martins MA Fashion course

Launching in the UAE with an exclusive pop-up from 29 March to 12 April 2021 at Level Shoes, the globally recognised retail omnichannel concept and destination dedicated to the world of footwear and accessories located inside The Dubai Mall.

*The project features the four winning MA Fashion graduates and an iconic Archive re-issue style. *

Birkenstock’s partnership with London fashion institution Central Saint Martins is launching after a two-year project with the BA Fashion History & Theory and MA Fashion courses. Releasing four designs and Birkenstock’s first-ever Archive style, the collection will launch in the UAE on 29 March 2021 with an exclusive pop-up at Level Shoes, the globally recognised retail omnichannel concept and destination dedicated to the world of footwear and accessories located inside The Dubai Mall, that will run until 12 April 2021.

Initiated in 2018, the project saw the CSM BA Fashion History & Theory course research and enrich Birkenstock’s prolific archive. Enabling students to immerse into Birkenstock’s culture and legacy to finally extract and define the core elements of Birkenstock’s history spanning over 250 years.

The result of this research translated into a second project with the MA Fashion course. Inviting students to give their interpretation of emblematic styles in their contemporary way, thus shaping the future of the iconic German brand.

One year later, a jury of 12 renowned industry leaders led by Birkenstock CEO Oliver Reichert, MA Fashion Course Director Fabio Piras and fashion critic Sarah Mower MBE, were invited by Birkenstock to review all student portfolios and selected a shortlist of 10 finalists awarded as the winning designs with a first bursary award. Over a year of product development, four of the student designs have qualified for serial production. Each design has the student’s name embossed in the iconic Birkenstock footbed.

‘Experiencing the challenge to realize the product innovation delivered by these students is a good challenge. We are proud to have a proven impact on these early careers and are counting this as one of our most relevant projects’ states CEO Oliver Reichert.

The release of the collection is supported by a short film, seeing the jury and the professors exchange their views on the final product with the students. The jury was headed by Sarah Mower MBE and included CSM alumni Mary Katrantzou and Roksanda discussing with Gert Jonkers, Claudia Croft, Mimma Viglezio, Osman Ahmed, and Nick Vinson.

*The collection will be **launching exclusively at Level Shoes, The Dubai Mall on 29 March 2021.*