“Most people don’t actually know that I am a huge sneakerhead,” says Ollie Watkins, the prolific Aston Villa centre forward and scorer of that last-minute winner which propelled England into the final of this summer’s Euros. “I’ve collected trainers since I was quite young and I’m still always buying new pairs to add to my collection—it’s probably my biggest weakness!”
We’re talking footwear as Complex is on set with Ollie, back in Birmingham, post Euros, pre pre-season, on a campaign shoot he’s starring in with Crocs to celebrate their latest genre-bending foray into the frontline of footwear, the Echo Surge.
Like Watkins, Crocs have also enjoyed a meteoric rise of late. Propelled to ever-greater heights by an immense roster of eminently playful yet always astute collabs, with everyone from McDonalds to MSCHF, the brand is now increasingly building out its own standalone portfolio, with its extensive Echo Collection—ranging from sculpted slip-ons to dynamic clogs to sleek sneakers and more—leading the way.
The Echo Surge, the latest addition to the franchise, is made for movement, blending sport and street influences to deliver a highly idiosyncratic, future-facing sneaker, as at-home in the city as in the great outdoors. They come in cool white and grey colourways, accented by electric pops of neon, and, as you’d expect from Crocs, they’re lighter than air and comfy as hell.
For the launch campaign, Crocs linked up with high level athlete talent embodying the sport-meets-street, city-meets-outdoors ethos of the Echo Surge.
As well as Watkins, the campaign features trailblazing French freerunner Lilou Ruel, and star mountainbiker Lukas Knopf, from Germany, shot in Marseille and Munich, respectively. If you witnessed the death-defying Parkour on show at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games then you’ve already become acquainted with Lilou, while Lukas is building an ever-growing army of fans through his unique mix of bike-based tricks, stunts and adrenaline-inducing feats.
Once the shots were in the can, Complex caught up with them all to hear how the shoot went down, to talk style and to get their take on the latest additions to the Echo Collection.
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 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; 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, and 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 got 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: 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’re 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 to 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.
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’re 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 unusual something is, the more I love it. You have to stand out from the crowd.
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’m 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.
For more info and to cop the Echo Surge / Echo Collection, visit Crocs.eu.
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