At London Fashion Week, FitFlop X Roksanda Dropped This Season’s ‘It’ Shoe

When Roksanda's models swept down the catwalk in the designer's autumn/winter 2024 collection, there was something rather unexpected peeking out from beneath the fringed gowns, wide skirts and slouchy tailoring. In place of vertiginous heels were clogs, flip flops and even shearling-trimmed boots, all courtesy of footwear label FitFlop, most commonly associated with super-comfortable shoes which won't test your toes. At the weekend, Roksanda staged her spring/summer 2025 show at London Fashion Week, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and used the opportunity to showcase her second collection with FitFlop.

Roksanda Ilinčić and Marcia Kilgore's second collaboration includes a line-up of wedges, clogs and sandals, imbued with Roksanda's unique brand DNA by way of fluffy embellishments and shearling footbeds. Take FitFlop's signature clog, reworked to perfection with Roksanda's fuzzy aesthetic, or the stacked sandals featuring a very on-brand colour blocking. This collection seamlessly blends Roksanda's architectural design aesthetic with FitFlop's commitment to comfort, resulting in footwear that's both avant garde yet wearable.

What initially seemed like an unexpected pairing really makes total sense. For one, both Roksanda and FitFlop are brands led by women. The former is the eponymous label of Roksanda Ilinčić, the London-based designer renowned for her practical take on elegance, while the latter is the brainchild of Marcia Kilgore, the woman also responsible for Beauty Pie and Soap and Glory.

The new lineup features bold design elements, echoing the silhouettes of Roksanda's ready-to-wear pieces. Textures play a significant role, with the fusion of curly shearling and sleek box leather creating a luxurious yet edgy feel. Colour palettes are daring, incorporating clashing hues that add a burst of energy to any ensemble.

Marcia Kilgore, founder of FitFlop, describes the collection as catering to women who seek authenticity and joy in their wardrobe choices. She envisions these pieces as special additions that can be mixed and matched with everyday basics, providing both enthusiasm and timeless style.

The fact that both women speak to a similar customer is obviously helpful. 'I know that FitFlop has the Roksanda customer already, but we have not necessarily always catered to the runway fashion version of her,' says Kilgore. 'And so with the Roksanda x FitFlop collab, we are delivering that next level of edge and trend, and quality for the woman who can afford to splurge on a stunning pair of fluro pink Shuv seamless clogs, and knows exactly how, in her wardrobe, she is going to rock them.'

Who would Kilgore love to see wearing them? ' I certainly would not mind seeing Michelle Obama in a pair of Roksanda Pink Shuvs (she was once photographed walking up into AirForce 1 in a pair of our sandals, which was pretty cool). I can see Cate Blanchett in the clog. Tracee Ellis Ross in the orange shearling boot. Maggie Rogers in the little leather sandal. Rei Kawakubo in the clog, obvs!'

It seems remiss not to ask Ilinčić, on the 40th anniversary of London Fashion Week, whether she thinks it's as important as it ever was for her brand. It's been something of a difficult year for Ilinčić, as she was forced to sell her eponymous label after facing administration (although she's stayed on as creative director) and staging a show at London Fashion Week can be a costly exercise. For her part, though, she's as invested as ever in the bi-annual event: 'From my personal experience, friendships and invaluable support have remained such important pillars throughout my career. A community cultivated from mutual admiration and respect fuels our creative spirit, something very special to be part of. I believe it remains essential for designers to participate in LFW, it reinforces the connections that drive our creativity and it’s one of the most creative and inclusive [of the] fashion weeks.'

Creativity is certainly not something lacking in Kilgore and Ilinčić, who can reasonably expect the second iteration of their collaboration to sell just as well as the first. If you're lucky (and quick), you may just be able to get your hands on a pair from the autumn/winter range below.

Shop: FitFlop x Roksanda

Hannah Banks-Walker is Grazia's head of fashion commerce. She has previously written for the likes of Harper's Bazaar, The Financial Times, Glamour, Stylist, The Telegraph, Red, i-D and The Pool on everything from fashion to curly hair (hi!) to the patriarchy. Not necessarily in that order. Find her on Instagram and Twitter. But please don't look for her MySpace profile, which until now was the last time she wrote about herself in the third person.