From Nike to Raf: colette’s Most Memorable Footwear Collaborations

Come December, colette’s 20 year legacy is coming to an end. The iconic Parisian boutique, distinguished for its quirky style and offering of just about everything any fashion aficionado desires, has thrived at the helm of co-founder Sarah Andelman’s curation.

Not only a purveyor of high-end luxury fashion, the bricks-and-mortar store was an early champion of streetwear, working with the likes of Virgil Abloh pre Off-White™ and Luke Meier post Supreme. Equally intrinsic to colette’s legacy is the surplus of collaborations that have trailed its 20 year tenure—ranging from Rolex watches to fidget spinners; and yes, sneakers.

Below, a look back at a sea of colette blue collaborations.

Raf Simons x colette x COMME des GARÇONS x Vans Slip-Ons (2005)

Originally released in 2005 featuring graphics from Raf Simon’s Spring/Summer 2003 “Consumed” collection, these Raf Simons x colette meets COMME des GARÇONS x Vans Slip-Ons remain a coveted item to this day. The Slip-Ons are comprised of the signature canvas upper and decorated with logos from Refuse, Expendable, Chaos, π and Amnesia. The insole is adorned with logos of Raf Simons, COMME des GARÇONS and colette meets, and to finish off the look is Vans’s classic gum sole.

La MJC x colette x New Balance 1500 (2006)

The 2006 collaboration between La MJC and colette saw a pair of New Balance 1500’s dreamt into existence. Created for New Balance’s 100th Anniversary, sneaker inspired by the LA MJC site features a carbon fiber-like toe box and nubuck upper with accents of gray and fuschia. Over 10 years since its release, the LA MJC x colette spin on the 1500 now sells for $1,000 USD on the resell market.

colette x ellesse “Fab 5” Assist 1 (2011)

The third release from ellesse’s heritage “Fab 5″ collection took the form of a colette collaboration, drawing on iconic boutique’s classic blue as the focal point of the design. With the Assist 1 as its base, Polka dot laces provide a visual break for the otherwise drowned-in-blue sneaker. The limited edition shoe was released with 150 pairs and was the only shoe from the “Fab 5” project shipped in women’s sizes.

La MJC x colette x Reebok Instapump Fury (2014)

Urban culture media agency La MJC connected with colette to produce a special-edition Reebok Instapump Fury. Created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the classic silhouette, the sneaker consists of a grey fleece upper complemented with gray leather accents along the vamp. The model sees deep blue details throughout the upper, pump button, back heel, and outsole, while a speckled midsole finishes the balanced and refined aesthetic of the commemorative sneaker.

colette x adidas Originals Stan Smith (2014)

Limited to just 100 pairs, this collaboration saw Stan Smith’s iconic Three Stripes signature done up in premium white leather as colette’s own blue hue replaces the shoe’s original green accents. Further customizing the look are graphic footbeds, colette heel branding, and a polka-dotted toe and tongue.

colette x NikeLab NikeCourt Zoom Vapor Tour 9 and Tennis Classic (2015)

This product of NikeLab was designed to celebrate the return of French Open’s defending champion Maria Sharapova following her shoulder injury. The Zoom Vapor Tour 9s were inspired by Sharapova’s triumphs on Parisian clay with her quote adorning the sock-liner. Set upon Zoom midsoles and Nike Lunarlon in addition to dynamic Adaptive Fit construction, the shoes are breathable and lightweight with colette’s signature blue and logo mounted on the heel tabs.

KITH x colette x PUMA Footwear Pack (2016)

Founded on Puma’s Disc Blaze and Blaze of Glory silhouettes, the pack sees the latter in an oily nubuck upper of colette blue and plays host to a forefoot strap. Sitting atop a white Trinomic midsole unit, its sock-like construction provides comfort that doesn’t compromise its aesthetic. Additionally, each heel hosts colette and Ronnie Fieg, founder of Kith, embossed branding. Meanwhile, the PUMA Disc Blaze presents a gradient-like color change as its toe is covered in pigskin suede in colette blue.

colette x New Balance 2016 Spring/Summer MRT580 Pack (2016)

The 2016 collaboration between New Balance and colette reimagined the MRT580 pack in two new colorways. The first was rendered in a blue and gray nubuck upper, featuring perforations throughout the collar and toe box and finished off with premium leather lining set atop a REVlite midsole for a comfortable fit. The second was created in a deconstructed form, highlighting an opposing gray and blue nubuck upper perforated throughout the side panels and toe box.

colette x Nike Air Woven (2017)

Starting off colette’s 20th anniversary year, was a blue take on the Nike Air Woven. Absent from the Swoosh’s lineup since it released a pack in celebration of the 2012 Euros, the kicks are remixed in colette’s familiar blue and white combo.

colette x Converse x Club 75 “Triple C” (2017)

For the latest collaboration, and one of the last, colette teamed up with with Paris’s Club 75 in a “Triple C” collaboration for Summer 2017. Commemorating colette’s 20-year anniversary and the second birthday of Club 75’s brick-and-mortar, the collection pays tribute to the influential retailer with a classic One Star in blue and two Chuck Taylor ‘70s in red and white. The “trois” sneakers take inspiration from the colors of the French flag while adding a Parisian flair in the form of a set of removable velcro anniversary patches — created by So Me for the Chuck Taylors — and ‘Happy 20th colette’ embroidery. The One Star upper is covered in a blue suede with design embroideries ‘Happy 20th colette’ on the side heel as well as ‘COLETTE’ and ‘CLUB 75′ on the tongues of the sneaker.