Hasta La Ideas

by Miriam Brafman

Modern soles with a vintage aesthetic help Rokin Footwear successfully blend traditional European craftsmanship with urban appeal for a stylishly simple and wholly versatile shoe.

Christoffer Brattin—the man behind the Gothenburg, Sweden-based company—launched the first collection of men’s shoes in the fall of 2007. “I started Rokin because I thought there was a need for quality shoes at a nice price for the young urban man. I wanted to do a broad collection of both sports, casual and dressy shoes” says Brattin, a former Tommy Hilfiger Europe footwear designer.

Choosing to work only with suppliers steeped in history, Rokin prides itself on delivering high-quality shoes made from natural materials. Design attributes such as the odor-preventing breathable foot beds bring function to sustainability.

The utilitarian and timeless air of each style is evident in the current Spring/Summer 2010 collection—an assortment of 66 designs spanning pink suede derby loafers to lace-up leather boots as well as sandals to sneakers.

A small selection of the shoes are available online at Ssense and Urbana.