Sneaker enthusiasts, here is your monthly dose of kicks and more! With February being one of the most prolific months of the year in terms of releases and drops, thanks to the whirlwind of physical and virtual fashion shows, the desire for a fresh new pair of trainers is more feverish than ever. So here is a selection of the coolest models to buy right now, with the perfect mix of sustainability, style, and comfort.

Valentino Garavani

When sustainability and aesthetics go hand in hand, we couldn’t be happier. One of the most successful examples of this period is certainly the Valentino Garavani Open for a Change project, which is currently releasing the first conscious-driven item from the Maison. Created for the first time with bio-based and recycled materials, these sneakers were designed with the intention of innovating and experimenting with new materials and techniques for the future. Specifically, there are two new versions of the Valentino Garavani Open and Rockstud Untitled sneakers, maintaining the same silhouettes but making great strides towards a more ecological production. The logo, in a super bright green, was specially created for this initiative, highlighting the increasingly green-oriented philosophy of the label designed by Pierpaolo Piccioli. They are available for purchase on the Valentino website.

Givenchy

A juicy preview from Givenchy’s Spring 2022 pre-collection is the new sneaker that will captivate genre enthusiasts: the GIV1 TR, a reissue of the iconic GIV1 model from the French Maison. This futuristic sneaker designed by Matthew M. Williams stands out with a completely revamped design in mesh and leather, available in both high-top and low-top versions. Offered in a color palette ranging from cloud grey to steel blue, from black to graphite, and not forgetting the light grey with neon yellow highlights, perhaps our favorite. Bonus track: a special edition created in collaboration with artist Chito, born in Seattle and based in Mexico, featuring a variant in pristine leather decorated with a 4G motif created with spray paint and airbrushed signature, one in black leather with white outlines, and an e-commerce exclusive partially painted in black.

Maison Margiela x Reebok

A winning team that never disappoints is the established collaboration between Maison Margiela and Reebok. The latest release from the French fashion house in partnership with the American sportswear brand is the Classic Leather Tabi Décortiqué Low, the low-top version of the Classic Leather Tabi High introduced in June 2021. A successful reinterpretation of Reebok’s Classic Leather running shoe, first released in the fall of 1983, through Margiela’s avant-garde haute couture language. The term “décortiqué” refers to the deconstruction of a garment or accessory to its inner structure: in this case, the leather panels of the upper are cut to reveal the shoe’s fabric lining, creating a cage-like shape. Available in black, white, and red leather versions, but the coolest one is definitely the “off-white” version, Maison Margiela’s signature finish, where the leather is hand-painted in chalk white, developing a lived-in look over time.

Saucony Originals

Not one, but three sneakers releasing from Saucony, all focusing on sustainability. Introducing the new Veg Tan pack: a limited edition trio of models from the Originals collection – Jazz 81, Jazz Court, and Shadow 6000 – characterized by a limited edition color scheme using vegetable-tanned leather with natural tannins. The result is a mini line of kicks with an essential and refined design. Like all naturally treated materials, these sneakers are destined to become more beautiful as they age, developing a different appearance over time that improves with wear, light, and moisture.

ACBC x Boggi

The proverbial elegance of Milan from Boggi Milano joins forces with the technological research from ACBC, the leading company in sustainable footwear and accessories. The result is a capsule collection of sneakers with uppers made from vegan leather and fabric derived from recycled plastic bottles, echoing the unmistakable lines of the iconic Green Trek, one of the flagship models of the Italian B Corp. Inspired by the outdoor world but infused with urban codes, the design offers a versatile yet contemporary style. The sole is made of recycled rubber with ReRubber technology, while the insole is crafted from recycled polyester.