Blending athletic inspiration with cutting edge design, Crocs has dropped a new silhouette that’s as bold as it is versatile—the Echo Surge. This is the latest evolution in their Echo range, a lineup that continues to evolve what we’ve come to expect from Crocs.
England’s Euro’ 24 super-sub Ollie Watkins is one of the faces fronting this new release. His journey as a player from humble, lower-league beginnings to a star on the world stage is one we can all get behind. That meteoric rise to prominence makes him the ideal partner for Crocs, whose own story has been transformative, especially in recent years.
Joining the Aston Villa striker are athletes from mainland Europe, both with a sport-meets-street vibe. Lukas Knopf is known in the mountain-biking scene for his tricks and stunts, especially in his native Germany. Meanwhile Lilou Ruel is a French free-runner whose recent acrobatic appearance in the Olympic opening ceremony showcased her skills to millions around the world.
Crocs may be widely known for their iconic clog design, but in the Echo Surge comes a more adaptable shoe. Combining the brand’s oversized aesthetic with a breathable stretch-knit upper, this shoe treads the line between city streets and outdoor trails. Coming in colourways they’ve entitled Atmosphere/Acidity and
Moonlight/White, they look like all trainers will in the future, at least to us.
Once we’d let them get acquainted with this interesting new trainer, we caught up with each of them to chat about their style, the new Echo Surge, and of course, all things Crocs.
To find out more about the Crocs Echo Surge and the Echo Collection, visit Crocs.eu
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Ollie Watkins, Footballer, Aston Villa FC and England
How much of a role does fashion play in helping you to express yourself off the pitch?
It plays a big role. It allows me to be creative in an environment that’s less structured than football. The life of a player is very regimented but when it comes to what we wear away from the pitch, what we actually wear, we can be way more free.
How would you describe your style?
It depends on the occasion. If I’m going out for dinner I might go with a more clean-cut fit, whereas if I’m attending a fashion event or I’m in Ibiza I might go for something a little more vibrant and experimental.
During your career you’ve moved around quite a bit – from the South West to London, now you’re in the Midlands – how has this influenced your style?
Thinking about it, I’d say my age has played more of a role in influencing my style rather than where I’ve lived. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve definitely come away from thinking everything I wear needs to be designer and have a label on show. Nowadays, I like to think I’m a lot more sophisticated when it comes to putting an outfit together. Cleaner and more minimalist– those are more important to me now compared to when I was younger.
How important is comfort in what you wear?
Being comfortable is the most important thing for me. If I don’t feel comfortable I probably won’t wear something, to be honest. And that goes for both on and off the pitch, too. Football boots, trainers, outfits. I have to feel comfortable in what I’m wearing, 100%.
We’re seeing more footballers sitting front row at fashion weeks, do you think that will continue and is it something you’d like to experience?
Yeah I think that’s definitely set in place now, especially the bigger brands that have shows at Paris Fashion Week – you’ll always see a footballer at one of those shows at least. They look like good fun, I can see myself attending one or two in the future, definitely.
Right now you’re shooting with Crocs – what do you think of the brand?
I love Crocs. I started by wearing them around the house. They are so comfortable. I’ve gone from solely wearing them around the house to wearing them out and about as well. It’s cool that people have started wearing them as a fashion staple
This campaign features the Crocs Echo Surge – what’s your take on them?
I’ll be honest with you…at first I wasn’t sure! It’s definitely bold and a big move for Crocs make more of a sneaker like this, but when I put them on I liked how comfortable they were.
They’re also super versatile, making them quite easy to style with lots of different looks.
How could you see yourself wearing them?
I can imagine wearing them in a lot of different scenarios, like going to the beach in the summer with shorts, or maybe also paired with a pair of chinos for more of a relaxed formal look.
Who else in the Villa or England squad could you see wearing them?
Tyrone Mings, he wears Crocs into training all the time, so I’d definitely say him.
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Lilou Ruel, Freerunner, France
How did you get into Freerunning/Parkour?
I got my first trampoline at the age of seven and immediately wanted to learn some flips, which my neighbour Nico taught me. He noticed that I was pretty good at it, and above all that I loved it, so he asked me to try Parkour in his club. It was a revelation!
You’re one of the most prominent women in Parkour, and do a lot to inspire other women to get involved. How have things changed, and what are your hopes for the future?
In ten years of practice I’ve gone from being the only girl in my club to one of over twenty now. On the social networks, too, there’s been a massive increase in girls sharing their training and their new prowess and I regularly receive messages thanking me for motivating them, so it’s a huge honour. I think this is just the beginning, and one day we’ll have almost as many guys as girls.
You were the first woman to do the iconic ‘Manpower’ jump (a 15M high, 4.5M gap, in Evry, France), calling your version ‘Womanpower’. How did you prepare for it?
Womanpower was special because I was really putting my life on the line for this jump, so it took one year of physical and mental preparation to be 99.999% sure of landing on the other side without injury. But the process remains the same: I see a jump or challenge, I look at it and ask myself if it’s something I can achieve. After ten years of practice, you quickly know whether you can do a jump or not. If I get the chance, I do identical but less dangerous preparations beforehand until I feel comfortable. There’s always a lot of visualisation too. Then I do it! There’s always an element of uncertainty and possible injury, but I keep that to a minimum.
How does a Freerunner look at the city?
The environment becomes our playground since a simple bench can become a spotlight. A new city for us is an infinite source of fun. We look at the structures, the materials, the low walls, the quality of the grass, the scaffolding to climb onto the roofs, the unusual constructions.
Does Parkour influence your personal style?
Before, I really had street clothes and workout clothes, now it’s all mixed up, because I want to train in outfits that are totally unsuited to sporting activities. They are outfits that I could wear in the evening, with beautiful pieces, because that changes everything in the way I move and it’s much more beautiful to look at.
What about footwear – for Parkour, or more relaxed styles, like slides, or clogs?
The day I bought slides, I understood why everyone had slides. They are so comfortable, but I wouldn’t dare leave my house with them, whereas with Crocs I would. As for Parkour shoes, unfortunately they’re not very pretty.
You’ve been wearing the new Crocs Echo Surge for the shoot – what do you think of them?
They’re totally unique. I used to be a big sneakerhead, but now I tend to say that a good pair of moccasins makes any outfit beautiful and chic so I have two pairs that I wear 70% of the time, and the rest of the time I like to have pairs that you don’t see everywhere and that stand out from the crowd. These are in my 30% of shoes that stand out! As soon as I saw them I loved them, the more bizarre something is, the more I love it. You have to stand out from the crowd.
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Lukas Knopf, Mountain Biker, Germany
What is it about mountain biking you love the most?
It’s the thrill, the adrenaline that you get. But also all the cool places I get to see riding my bike and the people I meet.
How would you describe your biking style?
Powerful and smooth. But that’s how I would see it – I don’t know about someone else’s opinion!
What’s been the best moment in your career so far?
Transitioning from an ambitious rider who chases the dream of getting to do what he loves for a living to actually getting paid for riding my bike. I couldn’t believe it. And now I do live THE DREAM.
Biking in the city vs. the countryside?
I grew up in the countryside, so I know it well, and I do love the calm environment when I’m out in nature biking, enjoying the woods, birds chirping and some nice trails. But sometimes I love the traffic and the pulse of a big city, too. My most clicked YouTube videos are of me riding through a city. I jump down stairs, find gaps I can jump and do tricks over. Biking is one of the best ways to discover a new city – fast.
How would you describe your personal style?
I am a streetwear and outdoor-wear lover. For the right occasions, it can also be classy and casual. But for my everyday life which involves a lot of biking it has to be comfortable for performing tricks, and sometimes also rain- and weather-proof. Comfort plays the most important part. Amongst bikers there is a saying: ‘Look good feel good, feel good ride good!’
Do you wear Crocs, and if so, when and where?
For biking my shoes need to be super tight so I have a tight grip on my pedals. But I love to take them off after a bike session and wear something more comfortable. That’s the part where Crocs are the best. They feel like walking on air and my feet feel free. So I wear them chilling at home or in the garden, or when I am out with friends.
You’re wearing the new Crocs Echo Clog in the shoot, what do you make of them?
They look like nothing else I have seen before, which has to be a big plus! The shape really stands out which is something I really identify with. It’s good to break from the norm. Of course, we are all individuals with our own characteristics. This shoe embodies that.
How and where would you wear them?
I’d wear them when walking to the beach, chilling in my little garden, going out for a relaxing day at the lake or when grabbing a coffee. I would style them with something slightly oversized. So a more chill, streetwear-y fit.
