New Style Idea

Popular luxury outerwear brand Mackage is making its first foray into footwear. Today, the label is officially launching its cold weather-boot collection.

Via direct-to-consumer, customers can pre-order the Mackage boots online now. The line is comprised of four lightweight styles, including its unisex Hero boot, which is made with waterproof materials, shearling lining and the same textiles used in its jackets to keep with the brand DNA. All of the styles are handmade in Italy and are detailed with exaggerated rubber outsoles for both traction and style.

In addition, there are three fashion-forward women’s leather boot looks offered in the capsule, which also feature its water-repellent technology.

“When we started Mackage in 1999, we saw there was a huge miss in the market in terms of fashionable outerwear. Outerwear was not the true trend that it is today. We’re talking 21 years ago,” said co-chief creative officer Elisa Dahan. “The level of technicality that we included in our coats didn’t exist. So we went back to that philosophy with our shoes because we knew that there is a void in the market for fashionable and functional cold-weather boots. We know that this is a unique product.”

The boots were made with comfort, fashion and craftsmanship in mind. “The first thing you do when you get to the office is take off your ugly boots,” added founder Eran Elfassy. That’s not normal. You spend so much time making sure you have the right outfit and the right jacket and now you’re still compromising with your footwear. You shouldn’t have to compromise on style in order to protect your feet from elements, which is why we launched our shoes.”

Canada-based Mackage had been planning on launching footwear for a few years after customers continued to ask the brand to expand into the category. It was only natural, however, the team wanted to make sure it was the right time. When COVID-19 hit in March, Mackage was nearly complete with the collection and ready to launch, but they decided to hold off. They even toyed with the idea of waiting until 2021, but instead made some adjustments in order to launch for fall ’20.

“Covid taught us to be smarter and it made us more be more strategic,” said Elfassy. “Knowing that we have no budget, knowing that this may not be the right time to launch [in March], we started editing the collection and refocused.”

Mackage is launching its four styles in limited quantities to start and is looking forward to expanding the line in the future.

“We do not want to flood the market with more product. That’s not our goal. We want to be able to serve the demand, be sustainable and not overproduce, and have our product be well received. Then we’re gonna build it from there,” added Dahan.

Starting at $595, the made-in-Italy boots are designed to withstand harsh conditions, including rain, snow and temperatures up to -13°F.