JW Anderson Unveils First Ever Independent Sneaker Collection
Merging leather with canvas for a deconstructed silhouette.
After several successful footwear collaborations like the highly sought-after Converse collections and recently dropping the bold gold link chain mule, JW Anderson breaks off independently to venture into its own selection of sneakers.
First previewed as part of the brand’s men’s Fall/Winter 2021 collection shot by the illustrious Juergen Teller, the sneaker serves as an example of deconstruction and craft created with exaggerated proportions — themes aligned with the signature design language of the contemporary label. Speaking on the makeup of the latest sneaker offering, founder and creative director Jonathon Anderson says, “I like how the rough stitching implies the hand of the maker. I think that balances out the more technical side of trainer design. I like that these feel rough and rawer.”
Taking cues from a classic silhouette, Anderson aims to provide a contemporary twist on tradition to create an abstract sneaker that boasts versatility. “I like to think of it as an abstraction of a known sneaker but with disproportionate volumes.”
The hi-top silhouette is comprised of canvas uppers overlaid with full-grain leather panels to give its deconstructed aesthetic. Digging through the archives, the sneaker sits on a thick rubber platform sole referencing the brand’s stacked brogue from its formative years adorned in subtle branding embossed into its midsole. The footwear offering arrives in seven bold colorways to complement any look, “I wanted to keep them as color-blocked as possible: like they were just dipped into vats of these vibrant colors. Really over saturated.”
JW Anderson’s first-ever collection of sneakers is set to launch May 20 available exclusively from the brand’s Soho London store, its website and on HBX, retailing for £295 GBP/€295 EUR/$395 USD.
