Saul Nash Teams Up with TOWORKFOR to Reimagine the Boat Shoe Between Technical Performance and Luxury
Portuguese footwear once again took centre stage at one of the world's leading fashion weeks. This time, in Milan, London-based designer Saul Nash unveiled a footwear model developed in collaboration with Portuguese brand TOWORKFOR as part of his Spring/Summer 2027 collection, STANCE.
Renowned for his movement-driven creative approach and his ability to merge sportswear with tailoring, Saul Nash brought the same design philosophy to footwear, reinterpreting the classic boat shoe. Entirely produced in Portugal, the model combines a knitted and suede upper with a drawstring-inspired lacing system, reflecting the meeting point between the designer's creative vision and the expertise of the Portuguese footwear industry.
For Saul Nash, the decision to work with Portugal was an easy one. "I've always been drawn to the quality and craftsmanship of Portuguese footwear. I was genuinely surprised to discover that even safety shoes feature hand-stitched uppers. That level of attention to detail is remarkable," says the designer.
Developed in partnership with TOWORKFOR, a Portuguese brand internationally recognised for its expertise in professional and safety footwear, the project highlights the versatility of the Portuguese industry and its ability to respond to demanding creative challenges by combining technical know-how, innovation and exceptional manufacturing quality.
"Working with TOWORKFOR was particularly exciting," adds Saul Nash. "The brand is best known for safety and protective footwear designed for demanding working environments. It was inspiring to take one of its classic silhouettes and reinterpret it through lightweight materials and a design language that reflects the DNA of our brand."
The collaboration is part of APICCAPS' ongoing mission to connect leading international designers with the Portuguese footwear industry, fostering dialogue between creative design, manufacturing excellence and innovation.
"These collaborations reflect APICCAPS' commitment to supporting designers through world-class manufacturing capabilities, while showcasing the quality, versatility and innovative strength of the Portuguese footwear industry," says Cláudia Pinto, Communications Director at APICCAPS. "The materials used in the collection were developed within the BioShoes4All project, reinforcing the association's commitment to research, innovation and the development of more sustainable solutions for the sector. The close collaboration established with designers throughout the creative and product development process enables distinctive concepts to be transformed into high-quality products, designed to meet market demands and stand the test of time."
The Portuguese footwear industry exports more than 90% of its production and continues to gain international recognition for its precision, innovation and artisanal heritage.
The shoe was unveiled during the STANCE runway show at Milan Fashion Week, held at Forza e Coraggio, one of the city's oldest sporting clubs, marking Saul Nash's second footwear design.
