Meet fashion’s most-wanted sandal of summer 2022

Over lockdown, sales of Birkenstocks soared. Fashion search engine Lyst reported a 225 per cent rise in searches Birkenstock’s Arizona sandal during that first lockdown and Proenza Schouler and Birkenstock’s sold-out collaboration in March 2020 was the only fashion news that made any sense, perfectly primed for our functional, comfortable fashion needs of that time. Now that we’re finally emerging into a re-opening world, still not quite prepared to relinquish elasticated waistbands or return to the office full time, Birkenstock have a new collaboration that sums that up – comfort, with a little bit of sparkle on top.

Manolo Blahnik joins Proenza Schouler, then Celine’s Phoebe Philo, Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli, Rick Owens, Jil Sander and more as the latest fashion behemoth to reimagine one of fashion’s most polarizing shoes in his image.

Working with two beloved Birkenstock shapes, the classic Arizona and the trending Boston, there are rich leather and plush velvet versions, chunky crystal buckles and luxe jewel colourways of black, fuschia and royal blue, making the utilitarian sandals unmistakably the work of Manolo Blahnik. There’s a second collaboration on the way this summer too, with new polka dot style, with both drops sure to be the sell-out sandal of the summer like each collaboration beforehand.

Shop Birkenstock x Manolo Blahnik now, from Birkenstock, Manolo Blahnik and Net-A-Porter.

Photography by Birkenstock. We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.