At London Fashion Week, The Boldest Shoes Were Actually The Most Comfortable

When Roksanda's models swept down the catwalk in the designer's autumn/winter 2024 collection in February of this year, 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.

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.

Creating products which women really want is what they do best and this collaboration is proof of that, if you needed it; last week, when the first drop arrived, several styles sold out within a day. For the second collection, which will drop next year, Ilinčić says she was more involved than ever: 'This season, the process was very different since it included the full design process from start to finish. Designed to compliment our ready-to-wear collection, it echoes the shapes and inspiration of the SS25 collection. For example, unexpected circular cut-outs that reveal the skin beneath on thigh-high boots, echo silhouettes of the [clothes]. Reimagining classic FitFlop shapes with unexpected materials, we’ve crafted a new texture and silhouette that truly comes alive on the catwalk.'

Indeed, this is a bolder collection than the last, featuring shearling linings, clashing colours and cut-out details. While they're slightly more directional than the first collection, Kilgore says they're for the woman who knows how she wants to dress. 'She wants to feel authentic. And wear clothes and shoes that have good energy. And she wants to wear her clothes, rather than having them wear her. She wants special pieces that she can mix and match with her everyday basics that add a little burst of happiness, enthusiasm, humour, but are also classic enough to weave into her wardrobe for years to come.'

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.'

As mentioned, the first collection went on sale last week and has been selling incredibly quickly. In fact, the merlot clogs have already sold out completely, such is the appeal of this comfortable footwear with a fashion twist. The SS25 shoes, then, will be highly anticipated. 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.