Crocs Just Introduced a New Collaboration With an Ex-Yeezy Designer

Crocs Inc.’s November appointment of sneaker industry veteran Steven Smith as its head of creative innovation isn’t the company’s only recent lift from the Yeezy playbook. 

The foam footwear specialists have also tapped Yeezy design alum Dingyun Zhang for a new limited-edition collaboration. According to Crocs, the Dingyun Zhang x Crocs Diffuser was inspired by the brand’s Swiftwater Sandal archive model. It turns the sandal into a full-fledged slip-on clog with details inspired by sports cars. 

It’s hard to not notice the Yeezy lineage in Zhang’s design, which closely resembles the brand’s Foam Runner released in 2020 under the Adidas banner. Adidas also has a new model in the works known as the Lightblaze Moc which has drawn comparisons to the now-discontinued Yeezy Foam Runner. 

While at Yeezy, Zhang worked alongside Smith to design the Yeezy Boost 700 aka “Wave Runner,” which is considered one of the most significant sneakers to come out of the blighted Kanye West-Adidas partnership. 

Prior to the new Crocs collaboration, the Chinese designer collaborated with Adidas on two versions of the classic Samba sneaker as well as the all-new Kouza silhouette. 

As for Smith, he spent close to eight years working with West, where his most recent title was head of industrial design at Donda, West’s creative agency. In August, it was reported that West had fired the career-long sneaker designer, whose resume includes stints with Adidas, New Balance and Nike, among others. 

Zhang’s Crocs Diffuser boasts many of the same features as Crocs’ Classic Clogs including a breathable lightweight foam construction, cushioned footbed with wave detailing, easy to clean material and the ability to add personal flair with Crocs Jibbitz charms.

The debut Dingyun Zhang x Crocs Diffuser retails for $85 and is scheduled to be released in a white colorway on Dec. 12 from crocs.com and select retailers.