Recently Released: Naturalizer Astara x Female Collective

We here at Knapsack are no strangers to talking to you about shoes and sneakers. Then again, most of that coverage (ok, all of it until today) has been about what guys wear. In our defense, we’re guys, and write from what we know. When I was told about this Naturalizer Astara x Female Collective collaboration, though, I wanted to bring it up to you.

Why? Well, for this new design, the collaboration found the brand working with the founder of Female Collective – Candace Reels. While the style and silhouette is unchanged from the other Astara designs, what we’ve got here is the colors and the zebra pattern. Because, as you know, no two zebras have the same stripe pattern, just like us humans.

It’s not just a colorful and beautifully chaotic design on a classic profile that you’ve got here with this particular Astara design. No, you’re also helping out a non-profit with your purchases: Black Girls CODE, a nonprofit dedicated to leveling the playing field for girls of color in STEM. Why this particular orgnazation? Here’s what Reels had to say:

I chose Black Girls CODE as the beneficiary of this limited edition shoe because they are about rectifying the underrepresentation of Black girls and women in the technology industry… letting young Black girls know that they are capable of anything and deserve everything they wish for.
Candace Reels

For us, we say getting more girls and women involved in STEM – particularly girls and women of color – can only be good for us all in the long run. Interestingly, there’s no additional charge for this particular limited edition (as we’re used to seeing in other industries). No, for the Naturalizer Astara x Female Collective, you’re going to be paying $115, the same as the other 11 colorways (though we see some of them with discounts as of this writing). If the look of the shoes catch your eye, and you want to help support the mission of Black Girls CODE, check out the shoe over at naturalizer.com

Product Details from Naturalizer

From our True Colors collection // True Colors are We. Me. Us. A celebration of who we are when we are honestly ourselves. Available in inclusive colors and designed with sustainability in mind, this lace-up sneaker with an on-trend profile, every day comfort and soft terry lining is going places. Wear what moves you.

Comfy low-top sneaker with luxe terry lining

Leather/fabric, mesh or leather upper responsibly sourced through the Leather Working Group with a round toe
Contour+ technology for a premium fit and all-day comfort experience
Non-slip outsole