Unveiling Cole Buxton's Inaugural Footwear Silhouette: The Wilson Sneaker

Having already soared to new heights to sit among Britain's apparel elite, it was only going to be a matter of time before Cole Buxton dipped its toe into the world of footwear. After being on a journey of research, development and discovery for the last 18 months, Cole Buxton is now ready to release its first-ever footwear effort, and needless to say, it's unapologetically charming.

Those familiar with the brand will know footwear, in general, has always somewhat informed the design decisions of its apparel. However, that's not to say a pair of sneakers was always on the cards. With a self-described snobby-like attitude to footwear, the idea of bringing a new silhouette to market seemed to contradict the brand's fashion choices at points in the past, so shelving the project until the time was right was only the clear way to do things.

It wouldn't be until 2022, eight years after the concept of the brand started, that Cole Buxton CEO Jonny Wilson would come to its namesake owner and designer Cole with an initial design, spurring an agreement with the direction.

"We were aligned as always on the fact that our favourite footwear in our personal wardrobes over the years have either been classic styles or references of classic styles, like the Rick Owens Ramones or the Maison Miharas, to name a couple," Jonny notes. "They took sneakers nearly half a decade old and reinvented them with luxury production methods, fabric sourcing, and trims whilst also adding just the right amount of design to make it their own and put their stamp on them. For us, this was the blueprint to a timeless piece, something we have maintained on our apparel since the beginning of Cole Buxton."

The result of the brand's relentless labour is the Wilson Sneaker, a refined and clear-cut silhouette that firmly fits in with the brand's design ethos. Presumably drawing its name from CEO Jonny Wilson, the Wilson is a product that hails from the kingdom of luxury footwear - Italy. Countless trips to source fabrics, trims, and manufacturers pushed the brand to deliver a silhouette unchained by the regular constraints of mass production, but that's not to say it was always clear sailing.

"Creating and building a product from scratch with no pre-existing supply chain is a wild and bumpy ride, and this journey took us to places we felt no right being in at times. But once we shared the designs, the very factories that produced the shoes we've worn and championed as if they were our own, from brands we had only dreamt of being mentioned alongside, opened their doors, and we got to work."

As a final product, it's simple to draw comparisons between the Wilson Sneaker and classic tennis court silhouettes. In true Cole Buxton fashion, the design nods to the athletic foundations so integral to the brand's design ethos and aesthetic. Atop a robust and oversized midsole, black hand-waxed Italian leather makes up the uppers. Working in contrast, each pair arrives with vintage white and pink Mohair laces, backed up by a stamped "Cole" and "Buxton" debossed imprint at each heel.

Existing as a direct nod to the brand's evolution, the Wilson Sneaker will no doubt prove to be a firm favourite among the label's loyal fanbase. For those looking to get their hands on this one, it will be available directly from Cole Buxton's webstore and flagship London store on Friday, the 15th of December, at 10 am (GMT).