Naturalizer x June Ambrose Shoe Collection Release: Styles, Shop Here

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What do June Ambrose, a star designer and stylist who has worked with longtime clients like Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, and Mary J. Blige, have in common with Naturalizer, a circa-1927 shoe brand that prides itself on products made with the unique contours of women’s feet in mind? As of Wednesday, there are a lot more than you might think.

The first drop from Ambrose (who was named the company’s global ambassador and creative director last summer) and Naturalizer’s new Styleletics collection is nothing short of avant-garde and anticipatory. Naturalizer says its two main styles, Nova-Shaft and Zyra, are made for “everyday sports,” but they also manage to supplement their inherent functionality with a healthy dose of statement glamor. More silhouettes will be added in March.

The Nova-Shaft is a sandal-boot hybrid with a removable shaft that can be freely connected to a matching stiletto with a hook-and-loop fastener. This shoe effectively capitalizes on the snakeskin trend that’s become mainstream in designer shoes these days, but it can also be purchased in all-black leather for a more versatile final look. Those who are obsessed with the Nova-Shaft heel component would be wise to invest in the Nova sans shaft. It’s technically called the Nova Dress Sandal and features a unique padded detail on the back.

Zyra, on the other hand, is a ghillie pump that references sneaker design codes. What this means: The latter style’s traditional criss-cross laces stretch around the ankle for added support, while you’ll quickly realize the benefits of top-level cushioning, shock absorption, breathability, and all-day wear. Naturalizer’s Zyra comes equipped with a treaded outsole for grip on even the slipperiest roads around town, not to mention a sculpted insole that treats your feet right (finally).

Both Naturalizer and Ambrose understand that one size or one colorway doesn’t fit all when it comes to shoes, so the Zyra is available in black, white, burgundy, and metallic lime green. The upper is studded with leather and mesh, making it even more similar to your favorite runner.

“Naturalizer has always understood women’s feet, not just fashion trends,” Ambrose exclusively told Footwear News. “Thanks to their heritage in fit and comfort, knowing that the technical fundamentals were already mastered gave me the freedom to dream bigger style-wise. When my fashion lens met their expertise in comfort and durability, that’s when the real magic happened.”

If this feels different than anything Naturalizer has done before, there’s a good reason why. After all, Ambrose has been called a “style disruptor” throughout most of her decades-long career. Whether that meant being the brains behind Missy Elliott’s inflatable costumes in “The Rain,” or injecting dandyism into hip-hop’s aesthetic with Jay-Z’s sharp suits in “Excuse Me Miss.”

Ambrose helps ensure Naturalizer’s latest innovations feel just as fresh, fusing form and function, sport and high fashion, ultimately delivering something you’ll want to wear again and again, year-round. Considering the athletic inspiration behind the sandals and pumps, it’s no surprise that the Naturalizer x June Ambrose campaign spotlights images of the Antiguan-born creative in action, tackling everything from tennis to basketball while wearing seemingly impossible footwear.

(Spoiler alert: It happens. Wait.)

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Stacia Datskowska I am a senior commerce writer for WWD and FN. Previously, she worked as an assistant digital editor at ELLE DECOR, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through the lens of design. Over the past five years, her byline has appeared in USA Today, the Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, the Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Before joining ELLE DECOR, Datskowska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tent pole sale events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskowska frequently features must-see shoe releases in collaboration with fashion’s biggest names.