The evolution of Pokémon in the footwear sector and giving its best

It should come as no surprise that Pokémon, one of the most popular entertainment franchises of all time, has made the leap from the screen to the streets. The iconic and celebrated brand is best known for its colorful characters, including Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle, who paved the way for the brand’s successful foray into apparel. With ‘dressing room dopamine’ on the rise, more people are realizing that what we wear plays a big part in how we feel, and there’s something special about adding your favorite childhood character to your outfit.

As fans of all ages around the world search for Pokemon-themed items, the franchise branched out into accessories and then apparel. Over the years, established fashion brands like Balmain and Levi’s have partnered with the brand to fulfill fans’ dreams of dressing head to toe in Pokémon.

Mathieu Galante, Director of Licensing, EMEA at The Pokémon Company International, said: “Pokémon has become a true fashion icon in recent years and working with a wide range of clothing and footwear provides a great opportunity to connect with our audience in new and diverse ways. . Our rich heritage and colorful, much-loved characters provide endless inspiration for designers to create unique and striking collections, while our broad global appeal and reputation for innovation attract a wide range of high-caliber partners, from the high street to the designer, offering something for everyone.”

Recognizing the demand for Pokémon apparel, the franchise entered the footwear segment, seeking out some of the biggest global names in the industry. Along with leading brands like Converse, PUMA and Clarks, they have developed collaborative collections. Each collaboration is carefully catered to what fans want, from those looking for bold and obvious Pokémon references to those who want to make more subtle clothing choices in their footwear but still have that Pokémon spirit. Some of the boldest collaborations include the PUMA x Pokémon Capsule Collection, the Converse x Pokémon Original Collection and the Irregular Choice x Pokémon Collection, which predominantly showcased the brand’s characters and catchphrases.

Pokémon x Clarks: a collaboration for adults and children

For fans who prefer to show their love for Pokémon in a less obvious way, Pokémon has teamed up with shoe brand Clarks. An initial 10-piece collection for adults and kids for fall/winter 2022 brought to life several key characters and icons (like the Poké Ball) from the franchise, with designs like the Clarks Originals Wallabee boot with a subtle embossing of Pikachu and the Clarks Kids Grip Pokémon sneaker with playprint soles that leave a Poké Ball imprint with every step. Following the runaway success of the collection, a new collaboration is now launching onto the shelves. Once again, the back-to-school styles and sneakers feature Clarks’ soft, comfortable cushioning, shock-absorbing soles, and easy-on/easy-off straps along with fun Pokémon touches. School styles and Grip Pearl sneakers in new pink and teal colorways are available now, with new Foxing Mist and Peak Go styles coming out in March.

Classic styles adorned with Pokémon characters in Puma and Converse

The PUMA x Pokémon Capsule Collection was inspired by the most iconic Pokémon characters and incorporated fun graphic imagery and colorways from characters like Pikachu, Charmander and Squirtle into exclusive PUMA styles like the PUMA Slipstream, the PUMA Suede Classic sneaker and the PUMA RS-X. Spanning a selection of youth and adult apparel, the collection inspired fans to be the best-dressed Pokémon Trainer like ever before. The Converse x Pokémon collection celebrated 25 years of Pokémon and featured original designs for consumers of all ages, including exclusive Converse All-Star styles in four colorways that paid homage to the brand. An obvious choice for a Pokémon collaboration, quirky fashion label Irregular Choice created an expanded collection of footwear and accessories that featured bright and colorful Pokémon characters in 3D renderings and cut-outs.

Between cult and haute couture: Pokémon interpreted by Crocs, Axel Arigato and Balmain

For the Pokemon collaboration with Crocs, the franchise reinvented the classic Crocs clogs with fun patterns featuring recognizable characters and created a themed Jibbitz, inspired by the badges one would earn after defeating a Gym Leader in the video game for added effect. dimmer to the Crocs.

In addition to partnering with major shoe brands, Pokémon has collaborated with major designer brands, giving high-end brands the Pokémon deal for fans looking for something a little more unique. Pokémon applied its first-generation characters, such as Meowth and Gengar, to signature sneakers, hoodies, T-shirts, and denim pieces from Swedish brand Axel Arigato. Balmain Creative Director Oliver Rousteing and Pokémon share the same unusually bold and adventurous outlook on life, making them the perfect match for a collaborative collection. Much of the Balmain x Pokémon collection featured fresh takes on Balmain signatures, such as the brand’s slouchy hoodies and sleek sneakers, as well as its famous Labyrinth pattern.

Ready to outfit its fans from head to toe, Pokémon is ready to help fans be their best through its many exciting footwear collaborations.