Known for unparalleled comfort, high functionality and time-tested quality, Birkenstock rustled up a storm with its Fall/Winter 2023 collection at the recently concluded Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI. This stunning showcase titled ‘GROUNDED IN NATURE’ can be best summed as a confluence of BIRKENSTOCK’s timeless designs and SHIVAN & NARRESH’s penchant for bold and imaginative prints, with due emphasis on comfort and style. 

Titled ‘Grounded in Nature’, the German shoemaker hit the runway with its all-new Corduroy collection that took Birkenstock’s classic designs, including the Arizona, Boston, Naples and Kyoto, and fused it with rich corduroy and suede in stunning autumnal colours—all made exclusively for this season. Of course, everyone’s favourite silhouette the Madrid and Gizeh were also in the spotlight in high-shine metallic finishes.  

To further celebrate the idea of fashion-meets-utility, Athiya Shetty walked the runway in silver-grey Birkenstock Arizona’s paired with a dreamy, flowing maxi, while Rana Daggubati closed the show in green iteration of the sandal and donned a shacket-jacket hybrid to mark a successful show.  

Shivan & Narresh’s ready-to-wear holiday collection titled ‘Suomi Series’, inspired by the designers’ recent travels to Finland included knitwear, breezy silhouettes, briefs for men, maxis for women, fashionable socks and jersey-ed outfits. This went perfectly with Birkenstock’s durable, practical and attractive footwear that nodded to the global trend of comfortable footwear.   

It only made sense that the overall set design mimicked a Finnish Sauna to represent calm and natural beauty to go with Birkenstock’s easy-to-wear and versatile footwear, and Shivan & Narresh’s relaxed clothes. The sauna was artistically shaped as the Birkenstock footbed and the elevated seating that saw a mix of editors, influencers and buyers was inspired geological stratum. Each sign and direction of the show underscored the importance of nature and the need for comfort.