Norwegian Rain x Grenson Shoes: a meeting of creative minds.

Presenting "The Waterproof Shoe".  Two rather exacting menswear brands Norwegian Rain and Grenson Shoes have joined forces to create this exciting and stylish new product, which launches at Pitti Uomo in Florence this week.

Norwegian Rain create raincoats and rainwear in the menswear tailoring tradition with technical functionality discreetly concealed.  The brainchild of Alexander Helle, who along with co-founder and Master Tailor T-Michael the duo have elevated rainwear to a most desirable position, now sold in 13 countries around the world and has flagship stores in Bergen and Oslo.

Grenson Shoes has been producing footwear in Northampton since 1866 and since joining them as creative director in 2010, Tim Little who subsequently bought the company has transformed this brand into a global tour de force.  The company will celebrate its 150th anniversary this year as well as open a new flagship store in New York City.

We asked Tim Little, creative director and owner of Grenson just how the collaboration came about: "I think I first met T-Michael and Alexander about five years ago in Florence.  I always loved NR and their enthusiasm and attention to detail.  Then one day T-Michael said to me 'we want you to make a waterproof shoe' and I replied 'we don't make that kind of shoe'.

He pushed me hard so we gave it a go and together we found a way. There are many collaborations in the world, and most are just a matter of swapping logos, but this has real substance. This is about two brands coming together to share their expertise to create something better than the sum of the parts. It's a wonderful project, made better by the fact that they lovely people."

The Waterproof Shoe collaboration will launch with an Alternative Set curated by stylist Harris 'Rudeboy' Elliott outside of the Central Pavilion Pitti Uomo at 3pm on Tuesday 12 January, 2016.