The Valentino Birkenstock collaboration is making socks and sandals cool again

Italian fashion house Valentino has unveiled its latest collaboration with footwear brand Birkenstock. The shoes - which will be available in both men's and women's sizes - made their debut during the brand's show at Men’s Paris Fashion Week.

Valentino and Birkenstock have teamed up for a new take on latter's Arizona silhouette, one of the most popular styles, creating two new versions in monochrome and red.

The black and white version picks up on the fashion for oversized logos, with VLTN printed on the side of the shoes’ straps.

Piccioli said of the collaboration, “I chose to [work] with Birkenstock for the same reason people choose Birkenstock every day. No matter what you wear, who you are, no matter your gender or social background, no matter your age, your style, no matter if you care about fashion or if you do not, Birkenstock has its own universal language."

He continued, "I loved the idea of approaching the DNA of our maison, represented by the individual and intimate world of Couture with something that it is so free and adaptable. To me, this is the definition of inclusivity.”

In recent years luxury fashion brands have embraced the trend for comfy shoe collaborations, including the return of the 'Dad' trainer.

£705 | NET-A-PORTER | Shop it now

Christopher Kane and Balenciaga also previously teamed up with everyone's ugly-shoe favourite Crocs for a collaboration which divided opinion.

Balenciaga x Crocs Embellished Rubber Platform Sandals

These shoes became an internet sensation when they dropped back in SS18 and they're still available online.

£645 | NET-A-PORTER | Shop it now

The Valentino x Birkenstock Arizona sandals aren’t currently available, but they’re set to drop pretty soon in both designers' boutiques and websites. We have a feeling they’re going to go pretty quick.