Kate Spade teams up with Dr. Scholl's for limited-edition sandal collection

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Sep 11, 2019

Dr. Scholl’s Shoes and Kate Spade New York have collaborated on a special collection of Dr. Scholl’s wood ‘Original Exercise Sandals’ with a Kate Spade twist. 

The shoes, which appeared during Kate Spade’s Spring 2020 runway show, were revamped for the capsule to include design elements from each of the two brands, Kate Spade New York said, including spade screws and Dr. Scholl’s buckle closures.

Prints and fabrics were chosen to give the sandals a complete 70s-feel, including a floral spade jacquard, daisy-printed leather, multiple shades of suede, and what the brand called “a modern-yet-retro take” on tweed. 

According to a press release, the capsule will be available at select Kate Spade stores, both brands’ websites and select premium retailers beginning in April 2020. Prices will range from $100 to $130.

“[The Dr. Scholl’s wooden Original] remains a classic for a reason -- its effortless style and comfortable silhouette have made it beloved by women across generations, time zones and style creeds,” said Nicola Glass, Kate Spade New York creative director.

“I was very excited to take the iconic shoe and give it a Kate Spade New York twist, using the vibrant colors and prints from our Spring 2020 collection. I love how the sandals give women another opportunity to layer print and texture into their look.”

The collection announcement comes at a tough time for Kate Spade, and its parent company Tapestry Inc., due to the former's sluggish comparable sales. Tapestry, which forecast a surprise fall in first-quarter revenue and profit this past August, said it was not sure when same-store sales at Kate Spade would rise as the brand struggles to clear excess inventory. 

Kate Spade has not reported a rise in same-store sales since Tapestry acquired it in 2017.