Dansko turned to artisans in Brazil to craft the Santos Collection, an elevated line of handmade clogs for Spring ’17. From the genuine wood soles to the tanned leather uppers, the shoes are sourced and manufactured entirely out of Brazil.
When it comes to design, Sal Agati, Dansko EVP global sourcing and design, said the comfort brand likes to keep its customers surprised.
“We really believe at Dansko in our product, and in our Heritage construction and how to keep it relevant with a changing marketplace. We felt we could tell a fashion story in an unexpected way.”
Manufacturing out of Brazil, a country rich with natural materials, was a natural fit for Dansko’s wood-centric aesthetic. “Brazil footwear manufacturing is still highly-artisan and handmade-driven in certain regions,” said Agati.
The capsule collection includes three styles—a slide, sandal and sandal/bootie—each with a distinct cutout wedge heel flame burnished by hand. Agati said the individual finishing and hand firing technique is unique to the collection and gives it an aged and lightly distressed look.
Leathers span tumbled calf in black, brown and tan to metallic leather with a denim effect. “The leather is a naturally tumbled product that gives it that pebbled and broken appearance that is then hand finished to a beautiful luster,” Agati described.
Each shoe in the Santos Collection is accented with individually hammered nails that serve as functional and decorative touches.
The collection will have a limited release beginning Feb. 27, 2017. Shoes will retail for $185-$195.
Agati hinted that Dansko may carry the concept of the collection forward into future seasons, but with a different look. “We don’t want to be too predictable.”