COLE HAAN DEBUTS COLLECTION WITH COMEDIAN HASAN MINHAJ

by Stephen Garner Nov 10, 2020

Cole Haan has teamed up with comedian and writer Hasan Minhaj to create and design a limited-edition collection of men’s hiker and sneaker styles.

This month marks the first release of the collaboration with two 4.ZerøGrand Hikers, incorporating pops of color and waterproof materials. The boots feature the footwear brand’s signature engineering—including triple-density foam cushioning to provide incredible comfort and greater support, deep flex grooves to promote natural range of motion, and a durable and lightweight TPU outsole for enhanced traction.

December will mark the second release from the collaboration, this time on the sneaker-head’s favorite: the GrandPrø Rally Court Sneaker. All styles from the limited-edition collection nod to Hasan’s Urdu heritage, with the words “Live” and “Survive” inscribed on the footwear tongues, as well as the date that jump-started Hasan’s career – the day he landed his first big television job.

“In 1982 my father arrived in America, leaving his home so I could build mine. He fought to survive, so I could live,” said Minhaj. “I’ve woven our story into the fabric of Cole Haan, hoping it inspires those to step into their own and rewrite the rules.”

“October 9, 2014 was huge for me, because everything changed after I auditioned with Jon Stewart. I wanted to pay tribute to that in the shoes,” added Minhaj. “Maybe October 9 won’t be special to anyone else, unless you have that birthday. But it’s coincidentally National Sneakers Day, so obviously this is fate.”

Cole Haan also worked with streetwear legend Jeff Staple and his creative agency, Reed Art Department, to advise on the collaboration and provide strategic counsel for the collection. Staple brings his years of experience and intimate knowledge of footwear to realize Cole Haan and Hasan’s collective vision.

“Hasan Minhaj is extraordinary, and we continue to be inspired by his intelligence, creativity, and tenacity,” commented David Maddocks, brand president of Cole Haan. “Hasan’s journey to write new rules is made apparent through everything that he does, and we’re honored to tell his story through this collaboration.”

The Cole Haan x Hasan Minhaj collection, which retails between $170 and $270, will be available on colehaan.com and in select U.S. and international Cole Haan stores.