Flip-flops could also be trending among the many trend crowd, however they’re nothing new for Evan Mock.
“I can’t assist however take into consideration Hawaii each time I see slippers [flip-flops],” Mock mentioned in an unique interview with WWD forward of the launch. “They’ve been such a giant a part of my life rising up in Hawaii. And, if I didn’t begin skating so early as a child, I in all probability wouldn’t have worn precise footwear for a couple of extra years. As a result of, the place I’m from, you both went barefoot, otherwise you wore slippers.”
On Monday, the mannequin, actor and skateboarder will launch a brand new capsule of flip-flops with Reef in collaboration together with his attire label Wahine. The limited-edition capsule options two flip-flop types and was “born from a love of surf tradition and easy type” shared between the 2 manufacturers.
As for the way the undertaking got here collectively Mock famous that he labored with legendary surfer and Reef ambassador Makoa Ho on the partnership. As lifelong pals and O’ahu natives, Ho and Mock co-designed the items collectively to “have a good time the essence of Hawaiian surf tradition” whereas mixing Reef’s footwear heritage with Wahine’s trendy island aesthetic.
“I used to be immediately down when Reef and Makoa requested me to collab, as a result of Reef has been part of my life without end, just about since rising up on the North Shore,” Mock added. “So, I believed this was a cool alternative virtually immediately. And simply to work with Makoa to type of bounce concepts off of was nice. I’m actually pleased with how every little thing got here out.”
The Wahine x Reef Smoothy flip-flop.
The 2-piece assortment, which Mock mentioned was a 12 months within the making, features a unisex flip-flop, the “Reef Smoothy,” that has been up to date with rhinestone gildings and a delicate platform. Then, the “Reef Ginger,” is a girls’s rubber flip-flop made in navy and butter yellow.
“I type of wished to maintain the basic types of what Reef has been making for years, however I additionally wished it to make it appear like we did a collab collectively, you recognize,” Mock maintained. “So, we added somewhat little bit of Wahine taste into the combo and pulled quite a lot of inspiration from the old-school Reef sandals we grew up with within the nineties and 2000s. Additionally, I believe each types are really unisex, to be sincere. However seeing the ultimate types we selected, I believe we made the fitting resolution. It was a tough resolution to make to slim down the types to supply, as a result of we got here up with rather a lot they usually all appeared so nice. In the long run we had a good time. It didn’t look like work in any respect. It was fairly enjoyable.”
“This drop is a mixture of every little thing we love. It’s about Hawaii, our neighborhood, our roots, our individuals,” added Ho. “Reef has at all times been a part of the tradition right here, so reimagining that by means of a Wahine lens simply made sense.”
The Wahine x Reef Ginger flip-flop.
Courtesy of Reef
For Brianna Showell, Reef’s vp of promoting, working with Mock and Wahine buts the sandal model “on the middle of tradition,” not by chasing tendencies, however by “embodying the laid-back, coastal spirit we’ve at all times stood for,” with individuals which might be authentically part of the Reef neighborhood.
“It’s a pure extension of our heritage and values, sparking new shopper power whereas reinforcing our relevance throughout generations,” Showell mentioned. “Partnerships like this reveal our function as a reputable connector within the cultural dialog, with a confidence that’s each timeless and forward-looking.”
As for what Mock thinks concerning the flip-flop being part of the present trend dialog, the previous “Gossip Woman” star referred to as the resurgence of the footwear pattern “hilarious.”
“It’s humorous to me as a result of carrying flip-flops is one thing I’ve achieved my entire life,” Mock added. “However truly, the timing for releasing our new collaboration is definitely excellent. I believe flip-flops are nice. I believe extra individuals must be open to carrying them. I believe rising up on an island like I did, carrying flip-flops makes extra sense, however extra individuals at the moment are carrying them in cities like New York, so it’s type of come full circle.”
A nonetheless from the Wahine x Reef capsule assortment marketing campaign.
Courtesy of Reef
