This season, fashion brands and iconic footwear labels are joining forces to launch new collaborations for autumn/ winter 2025. These creations celebrate craftsmanship, innovation, and the meeting of creative worlds. Here is a round-up of six collaborations defining the season.
For Paris Fashion Week spring/ summer 2026, Maison Carel announces its third collaboration with designer Alphonse Maitrepierre, designing the footwear for the runway show of his collection titled “En plein cœur.”
Maison Carel, founded in 1952 by Georges Carel, is a benchmark of Parisian expertise in shoes and leather goods. Renowned for a style that is both pop and timeless, it made its mark in the 1980s through collaborations with Jean Paul Gaultier and Thierry Mugler. A forerunner in the footwear world since 1978, Carel continues to uphold a heritage that blends craftsmanship with creativity and innovation, while regularly supporting emerging designers.
Alphonse Maitrepierre is a Paris-based designer from Montpellier, recognised for his singular, avant-garde universe. He graduated from La Cambre, the Brussels school of visual arts and fashion, in 2016, and began creating garments three years before officially launching his eponymous label at the end of 2018.
In 2024, Maison Carel collaborated for the first time with Alphonse Maitrepierre at the autumn/ winter 24/25 Fashion Week with his “Less & More” collection. Carel created original pieces for the runway, reasserting its heritage. For their second collaboration, Carel again partnered with Maitrepierre for the spring/ summer 2025 collection, “Let’s Play”, marking the second time his creations were worn by the models on the runway at Paris Fashion Week.
The third collaboration, presented during Paris Fashion Week’s spring/ summer 2026 season, spotlights the “En plein cœur” collection at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. This collection pays tribute to Paul Poiret and features designs crafted from upcycled materials, incorporating innovative techniques such as 2D and 3D embroidery, laser cutting, and ozone treatment. The shoes, both elegant and bold, embody Maitrepierre’s avant-garde spirit and Carel’s artisanal expertise. They will be available in limited quantities at select Carel boutiques and on the official website before the end of 2025.
1460 Megalace Boot, 1B60 Pentalace Boot, Steel Toe Boot – Dr. Martens
The collaboration between Dr. Martens and Rick Owens continues with a new collection that revisits the English brand’s iconic boots.
Dr. Martens, founded in Northamptonshire, England, has become a global benchmark for durable, iconic footwear. Now present in more than 60 countries, the brand continues to produce certain models “made in England” while meeting global demand via manufacturing sites in Asia. Known for its durability and unmistakable style, Dr. Martens also stands out for creative collaborations that push the boundaries of design.
American designer Rick Owens launched his eponymous brand in Los Angeles in 1994 before relocating to Paris in 2003, where he has presented his collections ever since. His complementary lines, Rick Owens Lilies and Drkshdw, extend his avant-garde universe. A multidisciplinary artist, he has also developed a furniture collection and has been the subject of major retrospectives, including one at the Palais Galliera in 2025.
The new Dr. Martens x Rick Owens collection is grounded in the imposing Quad sole and waxed black leather. The 1B60 Pentalace Boot retails at €420, with pearlescent laces and wrap-around lacing. Dr. Martens’ iconic 1460 Megalace Boot is reimagined with extra-long laces forming pentagram motifs, and retails at €370. The Steel Toe Boot is a reinforced version with a steel toe and exaggerated laces, also priced at €370.
Each model features the signature yellow and pearlescent double stitching, as well as a special-edition AirWair heel loop. The campaign was photographed in Rick Owens’ Paris studio, starring artist and DJ Sissy Misfit. The collection is available from October 16 on both brands’ websites, in Rick Owens boutiques, and at select retail partners.
Sandro teams up with Clarks Originals for autumn/ winter 2025, centred on two icons: the Desert Boot and the Wallabee.
Sandro, founded in Paris, has established itself as a byword for accessible luxury, with collections for men and women that are both refined and daring. Evelyne Chetrite, founder and artistic director since 1984, has developed a modern, sophisticated aesthetic, while since 2008, her son Ilan Chetrite has developed the Sandro Homme line by reinterpreting the classics. Today, the brand is present in over 750 locations worldwide.
Iconic British brand Clarks Originals is known for its artisanal know-how and signature designs that span generations. The Desert Boot, created in 1950 by Nathan Clark, was inspired by a handcrafted model discovered in a Cairo bazaar and has become a classic in both men’s and women’s wardrobes. The Wallabee, launched in 1968, has become a touchstone across subcultures, from fashion to hip-hop.
For this collaboration, Sandro reinterprets the men’s Wallabee in premium materials such as sand suede calfskin, cognac leather, and chocolate-coloured pony-hair effect leather. The shoe sits on Clarks’ signature crepe sole. The women’s Desert Boot is offered in an urban take crafted from exceptional materials, including beige shearling and cowhide-effect leather. Prices start from €225 for the Wallabee, €245 for the cowhide-effect Desert Boot and €265 for the shearling version. The collection is available from October 13.
Jil Sander and Puma relaunch their historic collaboration to offer a new interpretation of Puma’s iconic football boots, transformed into luxury leather trainers.
Jil Sander, founded in 1968 by Jil Sander, embodies modernity and refinement. The Milan-based brand, headed since March 2025 by Simone Bellotti, presents collections for women and men including ready-to-wear, shoes, bags, and accessories. Its approach is defined by elegance, purity of line, attention to detail, and innovation in materials. Jil Sander has been part of the OTB Fashion group since 2021 and is present worldwide through around 80 boutiques and its website, in addition to selected multi-brand retailers.
Puma, founded in Germany 75 years ago, is one of the world’s leading sports brands. It designs and markets footwear, apparel and accessories for sport and lifestyle. The company is present in over 120 countries and employs around 20,000 people. Puma regularly collaborates with designers and brands to bring sport and urban culture together, integrating fashion influences into its products.
The new Jil Sander x Puma collection revisits the iconic King Avanti football boot, renowned for its distinctive flap and clean lines. The model is crafted from premium leather, with the Jil Sander logo in gold foil on the side and the Puma logo on the flap, as well as the Jil Sander logo inside. Available in navy and in limited quantities, the unisex trainer has been available in selected Jil Sander stores and on the brand’s website since October 14. This first delivery forms part of an ongoing programme, with a second scheduled for March 2026.
Saucony and Engineered Garments join forces to revisit the Shadow Original in a premium iteration, blending heritage and modernity.
Saucony, founded in 1898, is a world-renowned running and lifestyle brand. It stands out for its technical innovations and distinctive style, with technologies such as PWRRUN PB, PWRRUN+ and SPEEDROLL. Saucony offers high-performance footwear and apparel for road and trail, alongside sportswear, while developing its Originals line for lifestyle use.
Engineered Garments, founded in New York in 1999 by Daiki Suzuki, offers a singular approach to clothing. Each creation is designed to evolve with its wearer and incorporates subtle, meaningful details. The brand favours a thoughtful, experimental aesthetic, combining streetwear and formality while steering clear of convention.
The EG x Shadow Original reinvents the iconic trainer with a full-grain leather upper, perforated details, a wing-shaped front overlay and an embossed logo on the heel. The lining is pigskin leather, and the midsole and outsole are tonal. Each pair is presented in a co-branded box and dustbag. The trainer is available from October 17 on the Saucony website and from selected retailers, priced at €220.
Botte Sorel x Neighborhood Daystorm Horizon GTX Homme
Neighborhood and Sorel join forces for the first time with a boot that bridges the urban and outdoor worlds. Designed to face winter with style and versatility, this collaboration embodies the spirit of both brands.
Founded in Canada in 1962, Sorel has long set the standard for high-performance winter footwear. From the legendary Caribou boot to modern designs, the brand is renowned for combining durability, comfort and bold aesthetics, appealing to snow sports enthusiasts and streetwear fans alike.
Since 1994, Neighborhood has defined Harajuku streetwear. Inspired by motorcycle, military and urban culture, the Japanese brand champions the “Craft with Pride” philosophy, blending craftsmanship with an avant-garde sensibility to create pieces that are both authentic and functional.
The fruit of this first collaboration, the Daystorm Horizon boot, combines a leather and rubber upper with both brands’ logos, a GORE-TEX waterproof membrane, a removable OrthoLite insole and a Vibram XS Trek outsole offering reliable grip and performance. Professional snowboarder Kazuhiro Kokubo appears in the campaign imagery, embodying the shared spirit of the two brands. The capsule has been available since October 18 on the official Sorel and Neighborhood websites.
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Frasers Group has made yet another property acquisition, announcing on Tuesday that it has bought Swindon Designer Outlet.
Swindon Designer Outlet – Photo: McArthurGlen
The company said the move marks “a meaningful step towards achieving the group’s vision of building the planet’s most admired and compelling brand ecosystem”.
It added that through acquisitions of “strategic physical retail locations like Swindon, Frasers Group supports key brand partners’ outlet strategies — including Nike, Adidas, Boss — and aims to serve consumers across the UK with the best value and product offerings”.
It didn’t share the price it paid but reports a few months ago suggested it was in talks to buy the property for around £275 million.
Swindon Designer Outlet opened in 1997 and covers 250,000 sq ft. It attracts over 3 million visitors annually with outlet centres at all price levels among the most buoyant shopping destinations in the UK. The centre has been owned by LaSalle Investment Management since 2022 and has been managed by outlet-specialist McArthurGlen Group.
The news comes just a month after we learned that Frasers had acquired Braehead Shopping Centre in Glasgow and also comes in the wake of a flurry of property deals by the acquisitive retail giant.
The company has also acquired shopping centres such as Princesshay, Overgate, Fremlin Walk, Frenchgate, Junction 32 Outlet Park and more.
CEO Michael Murray said: “Physical retail is central to our Elevation Strategy and investing in Swindon — one of the UK’s top five outlets by footfall — strengthens our position as both retailer and landlord. This acquisition reinforces our property strategy and unlocks new opportunities for our brands and our partners.”
London’s Covent Garden always has a high-profile installation during the festive period with recent activations from Jo Malone, Max mara and Marc Jacobs. And this year’s big name is Chanel.
Chanel
For the first time, Chanel has designed “an enchanted and immersive installation” in Covent Garden, North Piazza. The light installation highlights the brand’s first flagship boutique presence in Covent Garden which opened over 10 years ago.
Within the installation, we’re told visitors can experience an “enchanted, festive moment influenced by the constellations and emblematic symbols of Chanel: the lion, wheat, camellia, comet, and pearls”.
All of this is “reimagined in a starry sky with an illuminated Nº5 bottle encased in a helix that will create a magical atmosphere in the piazza”.
It’s open until 28 December, excluding Christmas Day, and attractions will also include live music performances every hour starting at 2:00pm until 6:30pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Covent Garden is a key destination for both UK and international shoppers during the festive period with its giant Christmas tree, its street entertainers and its historic architecture giving the Piazza extra allure at this time of year in particular.
And with its large weighting of beauty boutiques, it’s also a major destination for beauty shoppers.
Two key monthly spending reports came out on Tuesday morning and showed that, as other reports have suggested, that November retail sales and general spending were pretty unimpressive.
Reuters
It’s worth noting that different reports use different criteria to reach their figures so there will be variations.
Barclays said card spending saw its greatest fall since 2021 last month, as consumer confidence remained subdued.
Non-essential spend fell for the first time since July 2024, although Black Friday still managed to give retailers their busiest day of 2025.
So let’s look at the numbers. Consumer card spending (which takes in all types of spending, such as dining out and entertainment, as well as retail) was down 1.1% year on year. It was considerably lower than the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3.8%. The biggest drop was seen in essential spending, which was down 2.9% but non-essential spending fell only 0.3%.
Specific card spending at retail dipped 1.1% and transaction growth was negative to the tune of 2.3%, but on Black Friday transaction volumes rose 62.5% compared to the average day this year.
Of the sectors that came out on top, pharmacy, health & beauty spending grew 6.1% in November, continuing its strong streak as far as spend growth was concerned, although transaction growth was negative at 2.4%.
Clothing store spend was up 1.3% with transaction growth of 3.6%. Department stores had a tough time with spend down 8.2% and transaction growth down 6.4%.
Meanwhile, the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor, said UK total retail sales increased by 1.4% year on year in November, against a decline of 3.3% in November 2024. This was below the 12-month average growth of 2.5%.
Non-food sales increased by 0.1% year on year, against a decline of 7.9% in November 2024. In-store non-food sales decreased by 0.3%, after a fall of 6.2% in November 2024 and online non-food sales increased by 0.5% year on year, against a drop of 10.3% a year ago.
Both fashion and footwear dipped slightly during the month, according to the BRC. This goes against the Barclays view that clothing sales rose slightly. But in both cases, the fact is that fashion stores went the extra mile to drive sales and didn’t seem to be that successful.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Pre-Budget jitters among shoppers meant the month of Black Friday did not deliver as strongly as retailers had hoped or the economy needed. Sales growth was the weakest in six months, despite the elevated inflation. Not unexpectedly, online dominated, with the proportion of non-food bought online reaching its highest level since 2022. Many consumers took advantage of promotions, with homeware and upholstery selling well ahead of festive hosting. Fashion lagged, especially with the mild first half of November dampening demand for winterwear.”