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What do Birkenstock and Tekla have in common? The former, a German shoe manufacturer, experienced stellar sales of its signature ergonomic footwear during lockdown—its beloved Arizona sandals and shapely Boston clogs became defining shoes of the pandemic era, as far as many people were concerned. In the same vein, Tekla, a Copenhagen-born contemporary homeware specialist, served solace in the form of sumptuous bedding, sleepwear, blankets, and toweling.
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And now, the brands have announced an exclusive partnership—launched as part of Birkenstock’s collaborative 1774 line—which plays to their respective strengths. “At Tekla, we are fortunate to collaborate with those we admire, connecting over shared values like quality, longevity, craftsmanship, and rational beauty. With Birkenstock’s reputation for functionality and quality, this felt like a natural fit,” Charlie Hedin, Tekla’s founder and creative director, tells British Vogue of the collaboration. The collection marks important milestones for both brands: it’s the first time Birkenstock has ventured into the realm of apparel, while Tekla celebrates its debut footwear moment.
“The pieces themselves introduce an elevated take on the brands’ silhouettes,” explains Hedin. “With comfort central to both brands, ideas of stillness and contemplation – and how they can be inspired through comfort—were placed at the center of the collection.” The unisex sleepwear, comprised of kaftans, shirts with standing collars, shorts, and trousers, all made from lightweight cotton poplin—which are just as suitable to wear out and about as they are on the sofa—boast slouchy, oversized fits that can be mixed and matched.
During the early stages of the union, the brands looked to their archives for inspiration. Naturally, Birkenstock’s aforementioned bestsellers (the Arizona and Boston) were front of mind when discussing designs—early conversations centered around the idea of pushing the boundaries of the iconic Birkenstock clog silhouette, but both teams decided to revamp the lesser-known Uji and Nagoya models, owing to their pared-back qualities. Hedin also notes that “the feeling of home” was a focal aspect, interpreted via the tactile Nappa leather, suede, and shearling seen across the footwear.
The brief for the collection’s enticing palette of slate, straw, mauve, powder, and wheat? “Dipped in color,” according to Hedin. “The collection is crafted in a balanced palette of subtle and saturated block colorways, taken from the Tekla’s color universe and rigorously tested to achieve the correct tone.”
The clogs will undoubtedly be a hit among staunch Birks wearers, but Hedin insists every piece deserves equal attention. “The collection is a holistic expression of an idea and as such, there is no hero product. Each piece works in harmony, creating an overall sense of comfort when worn together.”
The collection will launch on 12 October exclusively at 1774.com, Teklafabrics.com, Matchesfashion.com and the Tekla Copenhagen retail store. From 17 October onwards, it will be available at selected global retailers.
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