Now, here is a designer collaboration to be excited about! H&M just announced that they have been working with Swedish Hasbeens (one of my all-around favorite brands) on a collection of three styles, to be relased on April 20th in about 150 stores worldwide.

The three styles of wooden-soled clogs made exclusively for H&M are inspired by the traditional Swedish styles of the ’70s. Using handcrafted methods and environmentally friendly materials, Swedish Hasbeens are a perfect example of how fashion and fun can also be naturally sustainable. I just hope that they will not compromise on the sustainability-part to get the prices down to H&M-levels.

Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M's head of design and Emy Blixt, founder and designer of Swedish Hasbeens. Photo: Mattias Bardå

“I love the genuine feeling you get from Hasbeens, from the wood and the leather, and also how they take something traditional and Swedish and make it contemporary and modern. These Hasbeens for H&M fit perfectly with the ’70s bohemian look that’s so important this coming season,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s head of design.

“We have a strong belief in making better shoes for a better world. We want to make fashion more fun, creative and friendly to both the environment and people. We have loved designing for H&M! It’s a fantastic opportunity to spread the idea of Hasbeens and make these shoes available to more people around the world,” says Emy Blixt, founder and designer of Swedish Hasbeens.

Emy Blixt, founder and designer of Swedish Hasbeens. Photo: Mattias Bardå

The a gladiator style strappy wedge is available in three colours, cream and tan on a pale wooden wedge and black on a black base. The heeled summer sandal with one ankle strap, which comes in cream and red on a pale wooden base. My personal favorite is the peep-toe slip-on wedge (top photo) with a wooden sole and snake-effect leather laced on top.

The shoes are available in sizes 36-40 and cost € 49,95 or € 59,95 (no word on dollar prices yet). Totally going on my buy-for-spring list!

Just wanted to tell all you eco-fashionistas that there is a sale over at Coclico. Check it out.

Should you happen to mistakenly click home one of the styles pictured in size 40 or 41, especially those gorgeous black Taabu booties, please feel free to send them my way.

It’s no secret that I love Swedish Hasbeens. Today, the company announced their new Summer/Spring Collection, and it looks very promising!

The new collection combines natural materials with the “freedom of the 60s, the style and consciousness of the 70s and the humor of the 80s.” Some great new models are introduced, like ballet flats, seriously hot slingbacks, penny loafers and combat boots.

The campaign, created by design firm Bold Faces and photographer Aida Chehrehgosha, is also very much retro, inspired by the posters of the World War II-era posters. I like the revolutionary spunk and can-do spirit they convey. Something co-founder and Creative Designer Emy Blixt says is about society’s increasing awareness and motivation for a new way of doing things.

“We see this shift to quality and sustainability as a revolution. “Revolutions bring change and we all feel the time has come to throw away the plastic chrome-tanned shoes with too much bling-bling and quality that last a few months. People across the world are demanding quality, natural materials that age great and that our grandkids can wear.”

Swedish Hasbeens are made by artisans, using all-natural materials like wood, leather and natural rubber.

These are just a few of my faves, maybe I’ll post more if you’d like to see? No word on when these new beauties will hit stores, but I’m hoping soon!

This Friday’s Find — the awesomest shoes I’ve seen this week — comes from London-based designer Chau Har Lee.

Via JC Report: After winning ITS8 Competition and the Manolo Blahnik Competition RCA in 2009, British designer Chau Har Lee received praise for her eccentric approach to shoe design. A graduate of Cordwainers and the Royal College of Art, Lee’s thorough knowledge has allowed her to explore and push the boundaries of conventional design, resulting in highly conceptual and architectural pieces of art that hinge on commercial practicality.

Hot!

I’m going to keep dreaming, but should you want to acquire a pair they are available at Selfridges London on a made-to-order basis.

Making its debut at two London Fashion Week shows — Ann Sofie Back and Ada Zanditon — is the incredible Mojito shoe, designed by London architect Julian Hakes. The shoe consists of a single piece wrapped around the wearer’s foot, supporting the heel and ball with no footplate in-between. It was in development for almost year.

I love crazy footwear and these are about the most unexpected, innovative shoes I have seen in a good long while. Now, I wonder, are they comfy? By the looks of the Ann Sofie Back show, there appears to be some stability issues. Has anyone tried them on?

Via Dezeen. Read more here and here.