If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Footwear News may receive an affiliate commission.
In his latest footwear tie-up, menswear designer Todd Snyder has teamed up with Sperry to update the footwear brand’s signature Authentic Original boat shoe.
Dubbed the “Sperry x Todd Snyder Authentic Original,” the collaborative style boasts a luxe suede upper sourced from Charles F. Stead & Co. in Leeds, UK. The shoe also features a hand-sewn moccasin construction and non-marking Vibram outsole with Sperry’s signature razor-cut “Wave-Siping” technology. The shoe comes in three colorways – ivory, grey and tan – and retails for $220.
According to Snyder, the collaboration comes after a life-long appreciation of the heritage footwear brand. “I’ve long loved Sperry since I purchased a white pair of Top-Siders in high school and now I love seeing them have a big moment in fashion again,” Snyder told FN. “For my take, I was inspired by my travels to Italy, and the rich textures and earth tones found along the Amalfi Coast. It’s an iconic silhouette synonymous with American style, and I wanted to add my signature design flourishes while still paying homage to Sperry’s heritage.”
This collaboration comes several months after Sperry was acquired by brand management firm Authentic Brands Group in January. At the same time, the brand management firm inked a deal with the Aldo Group to serve as Sperry’s North American operating partner for wholesale, e-commerce and store operations, as well as the brand’s partner for footwear design, production and distribution globally.
Watch on FN
Jonathan Frankel, president of Aldo Group, told FN that he is “thrilled” to come together with Snyder on this capsule. “Sperry is a brand with close to 90 years of heritage, so the team at Sperry is extremely intentional when choosing collaborators,” Frankel said. “The partnership with Todd Snyder has felt organic from the start. Todd makes beautiful, carefully crafted menswear, and is known for his ability to elevate iconic brands with his distinct vision. His take on the Authentic Original boat shoe, made with beautifully sourced suede is a great reflection of both brands.”
With this new tie-up, Sperry joins Snyder’s extensive collaborative footwear portfolio that already includes top brands like Cole Haan, New Balance and Clarks.
In August, Snyder stepped out on his own to launch his first-ever mainline shoe style – the Tuscan Court sneaker.
