Zalando launches size-inclusive footwear collection in collaboration with seven designer brands

• Launching on Zalando on 8 May, the size-inclusive shoe collection is designed by Filling Pieces, Rejina Pyo, Holzweiler, MISBHV, Elleme, GCDS and Eckhaus Latta.
• The collection’s statement footwear ranges from size 35 to 46 and caters to all shoe lovers, including those looking for a smaller or larger size.
• Zalando supported the designer brands with an investment in shoe molds enabling additional sizes to complement their usual ranges.

BERLIN, APRIL 27, 2023 // On May 8, Zalando, a leading European online platform for fashion and lifestyle, will launch an inclusive footwear collection created by seven designer brands: Filling Pieces, Rejina Pyo, Holzweiler, MISBHV, Elleme, GCDS and Ekchaus Latta. Ranging from sizes 35 to 46, the 14-piece collection aims to enable all shoe lovers to find designer footwear in their size. The seven designers have different creative styles and stem from different parts of the world but are connected by the shared vision of being fashion-forward, inclusive and customer-centric. Each brand has created shoe designs in their own unique, individual style. The collection will be available in all 25 European markets where Zalando operates.

The idea for the collection came from a conversation with the Helsinki Pride community, of which Zalando has been a sponsor for several years. It led to an insightful revelation: Many people in the queer community, for instance trans women or drag queens, have a hard time finding shoes in their sizes, especially when it comes to statement footwear. This highlights a wider blind spot within fashion, as a lot of consumers, also outside of the queer community, experience challenges finding designer shoes in their size.

For smaller designer brands, offering inclusive sizing can be challenging due to the costs associated with the production of additional shoe molds outside the typical size range of 36 to 41 for women’s shoes. In order to help overcome this challenge, Zalando has provided a monetary investment for producing inclusive-size shoe molds to the seven designer brands who created the collection. With the new molds, the brands can continue creating size-inclusive collections independently in the future and inspire more brands to follow in the footsteps as well.

Lena-Sophie Röper, Director Designer & Luxury at Zalando says: “The path to inclusivity starts with walking a mile in someone else's shoes. The inclusive footwear collection and the aptly named ‘Walk a Mile’ campaign accompanying it represent our effort to do just that. The collection is another step forward in our journey towards being a truly inclusive destination. This collection wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration of the seven designer brands, which have been incredible to work with to achieve this vision. This type of teamwork is essential across the industry, and we hope this is one of many collections of this nature we will work on to help make fashion inclusive for all.”

The collection pays into Zalando’s vision to be the Starting Point for Fashion, welcoming to everyone. With it’s D&I strategy, do.BETTER, the company has committed to offer a truly diverse assortment for underrepresented groups by providing product choices and thoughtful experiences in every category across price, size, and style.

The collection is accompanied by a marketing campaign named ‘Walk a Mile’ featuring English-born model and mental health advocate Reece King, model and advocate of gender diversity in fashion Raya Martigny, a Brazilian DJ and member of queer creative collective ‘Chernobyl’ Slim Soledad, and American model Maggie Mauer.

About Filling Pieces

In 2009, Guillaume Philibert wanted to create a high-quality sneaker at a fair price. This led to the birth of the low top. The first shoe to bridge the gap between streetwear and high fashion. The low top became more than just a shoe model. It was a symbol of affordable, luxurious design. A product that levelled the playing field. One that has proven that good design can connect. A sneaker worn by people of all genders, races, religions and sexual orientations.

About Rejina Pyo

A London based fashion brand built upon a philosophy that explores dressing as an everyday phenomenon, both mundane and extraordinary, for women all over the world. Wanting to contribute something special to this daily ritual, their vision was to create modern, wearable pieces that encourage individual instincts and maintain relevance and quality over time. At a time where the pace of fashion trends has reached new heights, we live in an overstimulating market which presents customers with new choices every week. Rejina Pyo is not concerned with promoting quick or short-term trends, instead we are focused on building long term relationships and evolving with its wearers over time.

About Holzweiler

Founded in 2012 by siblings Susanne & Andreas Holzweiler, Norwegian fashion house Holzweiler fuses seamless design with effortless functionality. Focused on creating timeless pieces, the brand draws inspiration from art, architecture, nature and contemporary culture. Championing collaboration and change, Holzweiler has worked with a long list of international creatives, musicians and icons, contributing to positive movement - both in terms of social impact and sustainability. With collections focused on attention to detail and the use of high-quality materials, Holzweiler continues to channel timeless ideals, curiosity and craftsmanship.

About MISBHV

MISBHV represents a devotion to the extensive research of the history of club wear within the community. This style has been at the forefront of MISBHV design philosophy since its founding in 2015 by Natalia Maczek. From critically acclaimed debut at Paris Fashion Week to releasing music on its namesake label MISBHV is always moving at the forefront of change. Crafting its products in Europe from carefully selected Italian fabrics, close to home and heart, MISBHV retains its unapologetic authenticity whilst looking towards the next.

About Elleme

Elleme, a Paris-based fashion brand founded in 2015, epitomises the effortless elegance of French design. Deriving its name from the French phrase ‘Elle aime’, meaning ‘She loves’, Elleme crafts luxurious handbags and accessories for the modern, confident woman. With a focus on simplicity, sophistication and quality materials, the brand creates timeless, versatile pieces that transcend seasonal trends. Elleme's signature styles blend functionality with an understated aesthetic, exuding a refined charm that excites fashion enthusiasts around the globe.

About GCDS

Made locally but born globally, GCDS of Milan, Italy, prioritises ‘culture-wear’ over streetwear. A self-styled anti-label run by co-founder brothers Giuliano and Giordano Calza - the brand’s creative director and CEO, respectively - GCDS believes in expecting the unexpected. The brand includes a number of categories, from street - and ready-to-wear to jewellery and accessories, its ever-diversifying product lines continue to be locally sourced, ultimately reimagining what ‘Made in Italy’ means today.

About ECKHAUS LATTA

A New York and Los Angeles - based label that distinguishes itself from its peers with its gender-neutral designs and has built up a reputation for casting models of all genders, ages, shapes and sizes in their runway shows and campaigns. As authentic as it is influential, the brand has stood out through gender-neutral designs and casting non-models in its shows.