Brand: Filling Pieces

Model: Crease Runner

Key Features: The Filling Pieces Crease Runner is a big step forward in terms of sneaker design for the Dutch brand. It channels a ’70s-inspired aesthetic, which has been seen on new offerings from the likes of Lanvin and New Balance as well. That’s not where the inspiration stops, though, as the Crease Runner takes cues from Filling Pieces’ history of leather shoes by using nubuck, suede, and nappa panels throughout the multi-material upper. As this is lifestyle take on a performance silhouette, certain features are exaggerated, such as the waffle sole, which is extended onto the upper to create a highly stylish look.

Release Date: September 3

Price: €250

Buy: Filling Pieces

Editor’s Notes: Filling Pieces has continued to transform itself, launching new and more innovative silhouettes to diversify its offering. The Crease Runner is the latest example of that evolution. Having been unveiled at Paris Fashion Week FW20 earlier this year, the Filling Pieces Crease Runner is set to be released in four colorways, all of which will be limited in stock, on September 3.

The Crease Runner was designed by the brand’s in-house designer, Martin Sallieres, who told Highsnobiety: “We felt that this shoe could handle a lot in terms of textures and colours because of the exaggerated panels and almost caricatural elements of a 70’s runner. Matthias Weber and I really dived in the Filling Pieces archive of materials and looked for the “craziest” materials. We tried to make every panel look different.”

Sallieres achieved acclaim on Instagram when he glued flower petals to a sample of the Crease Runner (below). While many sneakerheads hoped this version would also be released, Sallieres says this is unlikely, though he would like to create a faux version of it at some point in the near future.

Sallieres believes the influences from ’70s footwear is here to stay — at least in the short term. “This era of footwear (in terms of innovation) is the essence of nowadays sneakers. So essentially we see these references and elements in every modern release. Whether it is color, material, or shape-wise,” he says. “The challenge will be to keep innovating on such a heritage.”

Look for the Sallieres-designed Filling Pieces Crease Runner to drop on September 3 in the above four colorways.

To stay updated on everything happening in the sneaker world, follow @highsnobietysneakers on Instagram, check our sneaker release date calendar, and subscribe to our sneaker chatbot on Facebook to receive lightning-quick updates to your inbox.