Blackstock & Weber x Joe Freshgoods Etch a Checkerboard Into the “Ellis” Penny Loafer
The glossy red Italian patent pair marks Joe Freshgoods’ first product outside the athletic world.
Name: Blackstock & Weber x Joe Freshgoods Ellis Penny Loafer
Colorway: TBC
SKU: TBC
MSRP: $395 USD
Release Date: October 23 (Online), October 24 (In-store)
Where to Buy: Blackstock & Weber, Joe Freshgoods
Blackstock & Weber and Joe Freshgoods are teaming up on the “Ellis” Penny Loafer, a glossy red take on the dress shoe made exclusively for Joe Freshgoods. The project is the Chicago designer’s first-ever release outside the athletic world, swapping performance runners for a Goodyear-welted loafer with a lug sole. The partnership grew out of a shared respect between the two labels and a desire to express it through a single, detail-driven product.
The upper sets the tone with high-shine red patent leather sourced from Carasco, Italy, giving the classic penny silhouette a bold, almost lacquered finish. A checkerboard pattern is laser-etched directly into the vamp, adding a subtle graphic texture that only reveals itself as light catches the surface. Inside, a pink lining contrasts the red exterior, a detail that shows each time the shoe is slipped on or off.
The construction leans toward durability as much as style. The loafer is Goodyear welted, a stitched build that allows the sole to be replaced over time and extends the life of the shoe. Underfoot, a Vibram 1757 lug sole adds chunky traction and a heavier stance than a traditional leather-soled loafer, giving the pair a more modern, rugged profile that fits street wear as easily as tailoring.
The finishing touches carry the story of the collaboration. Every insole is stamped with a message from both brands that names the project “A Special Moment” and closes on a line that doubles as a shared motto: “We don’t complain… we figure it out!” Each pair ships with a branded dust bag and arrives in a special edition collaborative box in bright orange.
The loafer also anchors Joe Freshgoods’ Early Fall capsule, which includes a companion “A Special Moment” T-shirt. For Joe Freshgoods, best known for his New Balance collaborations, the release is a clear step into tailored footwear. Blackstock & Weber, founded by Chris Echevarria, has built its following around modern takes on classic American loafers, with the “Ellis” serving as one of its signature silhouettes.
