Andrew Rizzo Steven Smith would like to welcome you to his TED Talk. The former New Balance, Nike, and adidas Yeezy designer and current head of creative innovation at Crocs is tapping into his Pacific Northwest roots with an exclusive collaboration alongside TEDxPortland, the local arm of the globally recognized talk series.
The project includes a Classic Clog and an all-new silhouette called The Roy — a chunky EVA foam slip-on defined by three oversized “straps” over the forefoot. This all-red colorway pair will be gifted to TEDxPortland volunteers, speakers, and alumni, though an eventual public release isn’t out of the question. Alongside it is a more familiar option: a red Classic Clog outfitted with regionally inspired Jibbitz, including University of Oregon and Portland Trail Blazers logos, a TEDxPortland badge, and additional charms like a peace sign, USA flag, and bear.
Few people are more qualified to work with TED than Steven Smith, a true embodiment of the brand’s “ideas change everything” philosophy responsible for some of the most impactful designs in footwear history. The Crocs Ripple Clog is a prime example, offering a fresh take on the futuristic slip-on aesthetic he helped popularize with the Yeezy Foam Runner.
These Crocs styles won’t release publicly, but The Roy feels like a strong candidate for a wider launch at some point this year. We’ll keep our Sneaker Release Dates page updated with the latest.
