A New Expression of Winter Style from a Year Round Icon
The brand unveiled a preview of its AW26 collection on Thursday, April 9, with a styling workshop at the Black Brick Hotel in Gardens, Cape Town. The event featured a winter styling masterclass led by Tracy-Lee Rosslind, a versatile local stylist and creative director known for her work across stage, screen, print, and digital media. Her career is distinguished by diverse style, technical expertise, and the use of fashion as a means of empowerment. Additionally, attendees received an exclusive preview of three BIRKENSTOCK 1774 collections, set to launch in South Africa for the first time.
BIRKENSTOCK’s shoemaking heritage dates to 1774, emphasising orthopaedic expertise. The brand’s local winter collection introduces boots, closed shoes, home shoes, and sandals, all featuring its signature technology the Original BIRKENSTOCK Footbed considered a global standard to this day. Throughout history, BIRKENSTOCK has continued to stand for the principle that footwear should support the body’s natural movement, which inspires their philosophy of “walking the way nature intended”.
AN ODE TO CLOGS.
BOSTON – FROM “KORK-CLOG” TO CULT CLASSIC
The BOSTON clog, first introduced in 1976 as the ‘Kork-Clog’, featured an innovative cork-latex footbed replacing traditional wooden platforms. Over time, it gained global popularity, transcending seasons, trends, genders, and cultures, becoming a widely admired footwear style recognised for its comfort and timeless design.
As BOSTON marks its 50th anniversary this year, it affirms its status as a timeless classic this winter. The brand’s premium line introduces the BOSTON Big Buckle in Amalfi leather, available in black and oyster. Suede, a popular BOSTON upper material, welcomes new colour options in neutral, winter tones. In a leather-wrapped tonal footbed style called ‘exquisite’, the BOSTON will debut in an oyster colour. The half exquisite line introduces new navy and dark tea shades, finished in a tonal footbed. The standard suede collection includes charcoal and oyster shades,
Entirely new to the BIRKENSTOCK collection, the brand will launch BOSTON in Birko-Flor Birkibuc, their popular skin-friendly synthetic upper range, in staple mocca and stone colours.
LOMA & SOLANA – A MODERN LEGACY GROUNDED IN FOOTBED TECHNOLOGY
The LOMA and SOLANA are the brand’s latest hook-and-loop silhouettes, offering tactile closures and a utility-driven aesthetic. LOMA is a contemporary closed-toe style inspired by the BOSTON, while SOLANA features a minimal aesthetic with an adjustable fastening system for a quick, customisable fit.
In the felt shearling range, the LOMA and SOLANA are designed to provide warmth with their shearling-lined footbeds, both available in anthracite and oyster. These styles also include suede-upper capsules in charcoal and cork brown, offering versatile, easy-to-wear options for cold weather.
Both silhouettes celebrate the brand’s clog and sandal heritage.
FROM HERITAGE TO NEW HORIZONS – BIRKENSTOCK WALKING EXPERIENCE IN CLOSED SHOES
BOOTS. URBAN STYLE MEETS UNMATCHED FUNCTION
Though BIRKENSTOCK is globally recognised for its sandals and clogs, its origins lie in closed-toe footwear. Guided by the philosophy of “Celebrating and building the archive”, the brand’s latest boots and shoes collection reflects a return to its roots.
Minimalist in design, the HIGHWOOD boot is a winter essential, bringing the BIRKENSTOCK footbed to new terrains. Heritage inside and out, the HIGHWOOD is crafted in classic suede and natural smooth leather. In slip-on suede styles, dark tea, tobacco brown and taupe highlight colour newness. The HIGHWOOD Lace-Up style also launches in smooth leather, finished in both chocolate and brown shades.
Another addition to the boots range, the UPPSALA boot is a stylish mid-calf lace-up shoe ideal for cold winter days, featuring a popular dark tea colour, perfect for those seeking winter comfort and style.
UTTI. A TIMELESS MOCCASIN-STYLE SHOE.
The UTTI style features a soft heel tab and a velvety suede upper, designed as a unisex winter lace-up shoe available in black, gray taupe, and pink clay. Inside, a premium Deep Blue footbed offers layered support, complemented by a moisture-wicking lining and PU base to enhance ‘walking the way nature intended’.
HOME SHOES. DESIGNED FOR HOMEY SNUGNESS.
Originally launched as a home shoe, the LUTRY is worn beyond the indoors as a regular clog or with a backstrap for support. In premium, grained leather, the LUTRY sees a high-end upgrade with a refined gold buckle in a roast colour, highlighting the expansion of the LUTRY family across material concepts. The suede range will feature the LUTRY in the new dark tea and oyster colourways,
Winter will also reintroduce the AMSTERDAM, a minimalist house clog designed for slow mornings and cosy evenings. Its clean lines and an extended wool upper create a warm, secure fit in light grey and anthracite.
BIRKENSTOCK BUCKLES. THE EVOLUTION OF A SIGNATURE DESIGN ELEMENT
PREMIUM BUCKLES. CRAFTED TO SHINE
For decades, BIRKENSTOCK’s signature buckles have been more than a functional fastening; they are a defining element of the brand’s timeless designs.
BIRKENSTOCK’s latest Pearl Big Buckle elevates its fastening with a new expression of sophistication. Inspired by high-end jewellery design, the ARIZONA Pearl Big Buckle in Ecru features a radiant faux pearl set in an elegant eight-prong crown, allowing it to float just above the strap.
In addition to the brand’s statement buckle range, the Droplet Buckle’s signature teardrop edge is the finishing touch on city-chic ARIZONA and GIZEH styles this season. The autumnal carafe, black and oyster colours are the perfect neutral add-on to complete an autumn-ready look.
The much-loved Big Buckle range highlights new materials in nubuck and patent leather alongside elevated colour additions. In nubuck, the Big Buckle range launches in a pepper colour and a printed footbed style in mink. While the iconic High Shine Big Buckle range, with its glossy leather upper, launches in the staple oyster colourway across ARIZONA, GIZEH and MADRID styles.
WIRE BUCKLE. BUILT WITH PURPOSE. DESIGNED WITH PRECISION
The Wire Buckle, originally part of the brand’s men’s collection, now marks a bold step forward in a unisex Nubuck range. Available in sandcastle and mocca colours, the ARIZONA Wire Buckle features signature hardware that blends artistry with industrial elegance. The single-pin Zamak buckle fuses tradition with technical finesse, offering a minimalist, rustic alternative to standard buckle styles.
THE FOOTBED AT THE HEART
Founded in 1774, BIRKENSTOCK is one of the world’s most enduring footwear brands, renowned for centuries of craftsmanship and a dedication to quality. Each pair is crafted from premium, responsibly sourced materials and features the brand’s signature contoured footbed. The footbed, central to every BIRKENSTOCK product, has been a defining element for over 250 years, setting the brand apart in the footwear industry. Designed to support natural movement, it offers functionality, durability, and a naturally supportive walking experience for modern consumers.
The brand’s story continues to evolve, remaining committed to its core mission of encouraging people to walk as nature intended, emphasising comfort, foot health, and sustainability in every step.
Follow @birkenstockza and shop online at www.bashafrica.com.
