Since launching her eponymous label in 2019, Ancuta Sarca has become renowned for her signature hybrid footwear. The unexpected combination of classic sports trainers and dainty heels has resonated with the likes of Cher, Kim Kardashian and Rosalía. Now, the cult London-based designer has collaborated with Nike on a limited-edition collection that’s exclusively available at Browns.
“It’s all made out of recycled trainers from Nike that we’ve transformed into new pieces,” the Romanian-born designer tells British Vogue. “There’s only 100 pairs available, so it’s truly one-of-a-kind.” Inspired by Formula 1 cars and the outfits worn by its drivers, each piece from the collection is named after a sports car, such as the Red Ferrari and Black Lamborghini. “I found that there were similarities between sports cars and my shoes – they’re both dynamic, practical and detail oriented, but are also slick, luxurious and with a smooth finish,” explains Sarca.
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Despite the fact that the collection is mostly constructed of recycled materials (with the exception of stiffeners and elasticated accents), Sarca believes that sustainability is more of a byproduct than a focus in her work. “It’s only natural for me to use eco-conscious approaches in everything I do,” adds the designer. “Collection concepts are important to me, and juxtapositions are what distinguish my pieces. Bringing contrasting elements together – such as masculine and feminine, vintage and modern, sportswear and luxury – to create something both new and familiar.”
What will Ancuta Sarca do next? “I want to broaden the range of products we create and experiment more with garments and bags,” asserts the designer, “But the basis of it all would remain the shoes. We’re also aiming to release menswear pieces, too!” Personally, as a male fan of the label, I can’t wait to get my hands on a pair.
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Lead Image: @brownsfashion via Instagram