Noah and Island Slipper Collaborate on Braided Leather Sandal

Noah and Island Slipper are releasing a collaborative sandal on July 11, featuring hand-braided leather straps crafted by British artisans applied to Island Slipper's signature real suede base. This partnership aligns with Noah's established strategy of collaborating with brands possessing genuine manufacturing heritage, respecting their core silhouettes, and enhancing materials. Since its launch in 2015 by Brendon Babenzien, Noah has consistently applied this approach to collaborations with brands like Barbour, Sperry, Vans, and New Balance, focusing on craftsmanship upgrades rather than redesigns.

Island Slipper, a Hawaiian sandal manufacturer since 1946, brings nearly 80 years of experience in handcrafted leather and suede thong sandals made in Honolulu. The company has maintained its relevance by prioritizing leather craftsmanship and local Hawaiian production, appealing to consumers who value product provenance, especially in an era where much sandal manufacturing has moved overseas and adopted synthetic materials. This commitment to artisan production positions Island Slipper as a unique entity in the market.

The collaborative sandal retains Island Slipper's well-known thong silhouette and real suede construction, serving as the foundational element. The primary modification introduced by Noah is the foot strap, which has been re-envisioned using hand-braided leather. This braiding technique involves meticulously cutting leather hides into uniform strips and weaving them together, a process undertaken by skilled British artisans. The retail price for this collaboration is set at ¥41,800 JPY, approximately $260 USD.