Low temps didn’t stop Berlin’s cultural forces from descending upon Highsnobiety’s flagship store, eager to bask in the presence of something hot and happening. Donning a heady mix of leather blazers and brightly-hued sweaters to brave the cold, the haut monde of Germany’s fashion, music, and art scenes huddled close to the alluring neon-yellow glow emanating from the store windows. Passersby pondered the occasion; what so arrested the attention of some 250 tastemakers and style disruptors on an otherwise unassuming Friday night?
They’d have gotten a helpful hint if only they’d looked down, for the group’s choice of footwear was near-unanimous. The shoe of the night, unexpected only if you’ve been willfully out of the loop for the last few years: Crocs. Yes, the divisive-turned-desirable molded footwear found its way into many an ensemble—and it also served as the proverbial flame to which the trendiest among us were drawn, like label-clad moths.
Once the doors opened and guests streamed into the venue, the room’s collective attention fell to the industrial neon-and-chrome displays showcasing the latest Crocs innovation: the Trailbreak. Finally available to the public, the cutting-edge sneaker is the first outing for new product category Crocs EXP. Take the letters “EXP” to mean explore, experiment, or any other permission to be in fearless pursuit of footwear's future.
While sipping bespoke cocktails and vibing to pulsing beats from DJ Abiba, the attendees of the Highsnobiety x Crocs EXP event marveled at the Trailbreak, lifting shoes from the sneaker wall to get a closer look at the streamlined design. Some fawned over the clay colorway. Others appreciated the vibrancy of the chartreuse option. The face of the inaugural Crocs EXP campaign, multi-hyphenate Thundercat, cast his vote for the latter—going so far as to plant a pair of the sunny gorpcore sneakers on-stage while he delivered an electrifying performance. His signature genre-defying fusion swirled through the room, getting everyone from DJ Gigola to rapper Viko up and grooving in one impeccably stylish mass by the stage.
The two-time Grammy Award winner is known for his original ‘fits as much as for his inventive tracks. Asked to sum up his personal style in three words, the “Funny Thing” singer proffered the delightful trio “orange cat energy.” In other words, offbeat, comfortable, and colorful—not too far from Crocs' signature aesthetic, Thundercat acknowledges. “I love the concepts they come up with for the shoes,” he shared after his set. “I’ve just seen the new BAPE collaboration, and I think it’s fantastic. Crocs—they [always] stand out.”
He’s not wrong. While the party was a biased sample made up of day-one devotees and recent Crocs converts, out in the world, the brand’s distinctive Croslite shoes are one-of-one. The Trailbreak is a shining example of how the unconventional kicks-maker is always a step ahead of the rest. Guests trickled out of the HS flagship long before first light, but there was a sense that a sunrise had indeed occurred: the dawn of footwear’s new day.
Discover Crocs EXP here!
