EXCLUSIVE: Rains Launches 3D-Printed Mules With Zellerfeld Inspired by Oversized Zippers
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Rains is back with its second footwear collaboration with Zellerfeld – this time on a 3D-printed mule.
First seen at the Scandinavian urban outerwear and lifestyle brand’s fall/winter 2024 runway show, the slip-on style’s sculptural shape continues to take inspiration from Rains’ signature puffer jackets. More specifically, the brand said that the new mule takes direct inspiration from Rains’ signature exaggerated zippers.
Rains’ new Zip Mule features Zellerfeld’s TextureMap innovation, which combines multiple texture finishes across various sections of the silhouette. Each pair is made from TPU that boasts quick drying, washable and odor-resistant properties, while minimizing footwear maintenance.
The mules are printed-to-order and come in three colorways: orange, oat and black. The style will officially launch online at Rains.com on Aug. 14.
“Working with Rains is always thrilling,” Cornelius Schmitt, co-founder and chief executive officer of Zellerfeld, said in a statement on Friday. “Their commitment to innovation sets them apart in the industry, and their continued trust in 3D-printed footwear and our platform inspires us to keep pushing. The Rains Zip Mule is just another product that showcases our synergies: a never-before-seen mule style combined with incredibly soft uppers. We’re excited for what’s next and look forward to creating more groundbreaking designs together!”
Rains launched its first collaboration with Zellerfeld last year when the duo revealed the 3D-printed Puffer sneaker during Paris Fashion Week Men’s. The shoe featured puffer elements on the instep made of 90 percent air that harken back to the brand’s signature outerwear.
This release comes just months after Zellerfeld announced its plans for the future. In June, the Hamburg, Germany-based 3D-printed footwear tech company announced it has moved its platform out of beta and is now ready to fully launch what it’s calling the “YouTube of Shoes,” where nearly anyone can upload a design on Zellerfeld’s platform and get their shoes produced.
Through this new program Schmitt emphasized that designers and brands are now able to rapidly bring new concepts to market, while consumers can access a diverse, ever-expanding range of footwear. The CEO noted that for the platform aims to “demolish traditional financial and logistical barriers” when creating footwear, allowing real-time experimentation and product refinement.
“Everything we’ve done culminates in this moment,” Schmitt told FN in a June interview. “We’ve sharpened our technology and processes through alliances with industry titans to unleash an open platform that reinvents footwear.”
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