When creating a brand, a sense of passion and confidence has to accumulate in order for it to become successful. This came easily to the editor/designer duo, Prathan Poopat, and Flavio Girolami. When they first met in the mid-90s, they instantly hit it off and knew that they would be working on future projects together. Unknown to what that project would be, they both considered the things they had in common. One of the many things they had a passion for was their admiration for classic sneakers. Silhouettes including the Stan Smiths, Air Jordans, and Chuck Taylors were their favorite brands and models as they could be implemented into any style. This sparked a fire within and eventually led to their own footwear brand. Girolami adored the silhouettes produced in Italy and went to the hills of the Marche region to challenge a factory to create a sneaker that withstood their needs. The factory was well known for their dress shoes, and now they are being asked to make sneakers that fit this century’s style. Both Poopat and Girolami explained their criteria: they wanted something that was comfortable but could be dressed up if needed. Ultimately they wanted to bridge the gap between high-end and casual streetwear by offering the perfect balance between quality construction and universal style. The factory would then excel and become their manufacturer; now that they have the shoe, they were able to begin their brand. 

Common Projects made their debut during the fall of 2004 with a collection titled, ‘Achilles by Common Projects.’ The shoes were unforgettable and orders were flooding in as many companies wanted to sell the perfectly blended silhouette. By 2007 their name became even more cemented within the fashion industry as they decided to enter different markets including apparel and accessories. But what they will always be remembered for is the Achilles sneaker. This shoe offered a casual appeal of a typical sneaker with a high-quality built commonly seen in luxury Italian footwear. Many have become loyal to the brand and they continue to utilize their aesthetics in other projects. Common Projects has worked with HypeBeast and Dover Street Market to create exclusive designs that stick true to the brand’s distinct theme. 

With the release of their most recent collection, we are introduced to familiar silhouettes with rendered styles. The Zeus Prototype is one of the latest casual sneakers within their repertoire as it is reminiscent of traditional models. A fine-leather construction constructs the upper while details include a perforated hole toe box and a slightly heightened heel. To contrast the neutral stylings of the Zeus, the spring ‘21 collection also shines a light on the Track Classic model. The throwback design is elevated as premium suede and fabric constructs the upper and an exaggerated rubber outsole contributes to its retro finish. 

The collection also highlights the latest rendition of the Achilles Low as it utilizes nubuck within the upper in comparison to the traditional leather textile. Its nubuck design is a nice contrast to the rubber outsole by offering a more neutral tone. In addition to the Achilles model, we are also introduced to the Retro Summer Edition which takes cues from the OG design. The shoe looks very familiar to the Achilles but instead, the Retro Summer utilizes dual fabrics within its upper. A combination of mesh, leather, and suede provides its distinct look- perfect for any style. All of Common Projects footwear comes complete with the signature gold foil branding, solidifying its premium Italian-made stature. Experience Common Projects exclusive sneaker designs within our sneaker boutiques or online. 

Common Projects Spring ‘21 collection is now available at all retail locations + online. To shop for the latest model, click here.