In the dialogue between tradition and innovation, REFERENC and Vibram present a collection for Autumn/Winter 2024 that reinterprets the moc-toe through a bold and functional design, exploring the fusion of elegance and performance and inviting a new concept of luxury

Words DOMENICO COSTANTNINI

The Fernabee in grained calfskin leather, fnished with a Vibram MegaGrip® sole.
The Fernabee MegaGrip® White Grained Leather_3

In a context where design is not merely an act of creation but an unceasing search for meaning, REFERENC emerges as a laboratory of ideas where time and space intertwine. This independent design studio, based in Rotterdam, does not simply produce objects but explores the deeper dimensions of luxury, seeking to challenge and redefine the boundaries of contemporary fashion and design.
For the Autumn/Winter 2024 season, REFERENC embarks on a bold dialogue with Vibram, the global leader in creating high-performance soles. This collaboration is not just a merger of brands but a meeting of visions that allows for the examination of design complexities through a new lens. Here, the object is not merely a product but a concept: the moc-toe, a symbol of rooted tradition, is reinterpreted in a contemporary key, transforming its classic lines into a narrative of movement and adaptability.
The intersection of traditional design and sporty aesthetics generates a new type of footwear, inviting a deeper reflection on the relationship between form and function. The silhouette, characterized by the co-branded MegaGrip® sole, is not just a visual element; it is a manifesto of practicality and durability, a response to the need for fashion that does not fear the wear and tear of daily life. The choice of materials and technologies thus becomes an act of rebellion against the ephemeral nature of contemporary aesthetics.
Every step in this footwear is a declaration of intent: a movement towards the future, rooted in tradition. REFERENC and Vibram do not merely offer us a product; they invite us to explore an idea, a new philosophy of walking that evolves over time. Elegance becomes an experience, a journey in which luxury is not an accessory but a fundamental condition of our existence.