We all know of Loewe’s excellent mastery of leather marquetry and basket weaving—but what if that similar sense of savoir faire is translated into performance wear? This season, we finally have that answer from creative director Jonathan Anderson, who has fused that artisanal heritage into performance activewear through a collaboration with On.
The pinnacle of Swiss industrial design ingenuity, what differentiates On from other running shoes in the market is its proprietary CloudTec technology. This highly functional design enables every runner to perform their absolute best by adapting to the runner’s motions, providing explosive takeoffs when one lifts their foot off the ground and then a soft, shock-reducing landing as they touch the ground again. Since runners perform umpteen cycles of these two motions, added support in the shoes worn is crucial to their performance as well as health in the long run.
While On’s approach of design differs from Loewe's visually and technically, its commitment to creating lasting products—along with its penchant for perfecting every intricate detail—binds them both. In the capsule collection's accompanying video, Anderson expresses his appreciation for the precision of On's engineering and reveres "the pattern cutting" as well as the "technology that they are doing to build the sole". He also muses that every manufacturing process "did not feel rushed" and it felt like another form of artisanal craft.
Encapsulating the best of both worlds, the collaboration incorporates On’s performance technology while injecting some of Loewe’s signature aesthetic into the mix. The shoes are doused in eclectic colours such as Gradient Orange and Space Blue. In addition, some of the pieces are emblazoned with a printed Japanese sashiko-inspired detail that resembles a night sky filled with constellations. The finishing process of every piece is done by hand, ensuring that gradients are consistent and embodying the idea of craft that is synonymous with Loewe.
The Loewe x On capsule collection is now online on on-running.com and loewe.com as well as in selected Loewe boutiques.
