In an age of fast fashion and instant-gratification commerce, Tkees is a reminder that slow and steady truly wins the race. Instead of giving in to micro-trends and the passing popularity that comes with it, the brand was built on consistently delivering a thoughtful approach to footwear.

This helps it maintain its ethos: to produce a superior flip-flop to what cheap counterparts can aim to deliver. As a result, consumers get footwear that stands the test of time, which offers better value and uses resources in a more eco-conscious way.

The concept of Tkees first came about when founders Carly and Jesse Burnett noticed glaring gaps across the footwear industry. They seldom came across flip-flops that satisfied an array of needs for the average consumer. Specifically, staying intact past a seasonal period via an affordable yet resilient construction.

From this decision came the first Tkees collection — the Lily Nudes — which has remained the brand’s mainstay throughout its 15-year journey thus far.

During the boom of the fast-fashion industry, filled with mass output and reliance on cheap materials, companies could turn over profit riding micro-trends and flashy offerings. Consumers took advantage of popular fads at an affordable price, but they never lasted as long.

Considering this, the Burnetts set out to create a flip-flop that captured the breezy, easygoing vibe flip-flops were associated with, using sustainable, durable materials. That instinct served them well, as Tkees defined a product that has been going strong ever since.

Tkees didn’t reinvent the wheel when it came to the classic look of a flip-flop. Its prototype featured quintessential features associated with the classic flip-flop — namely a rounded toe and a singular leather thong. As the years went on, Tkees developed a more refined, elegant flip-flop.

The first Tkees collection, the Lily Nudes (at the time referred to as “Foundations”), launched in five neutral, skin-toned finishes handmade from long-lasting Brazilian leather. This material was an intentional choice; it was higher-quality, more comfortable and responsibly sourced through Brazilian suppliers.

Through the natural leather shades available, Lily Nudes were dubbed “cosmetics for your feet,” and that notion has prevailed ever since. There are now 11 total nude shades, ranging from fair to deep tones. The brand chose to lean into showing what a refined flip-flop could be when the right thought and care went into it.

As the years went on and Tkees grew, it captured the attention of all types of consumers. Tkees’ championing of understated, clean lines with comfortable materials and an affordable price point seemed to be the common thread that drew this fan base together.

What started as a hypothesis of creating an improved, fashion-savvy flip-flop turned into a winning formula. Instead of contending with cheaper alternatives, Tkees was holding its own against the leatherwork of high-fashion houses, where a flip-flop could be triple the price of a pair of Lily Nudes.

Tkees started off trying to improve an issue with flip-flops available at the time and it quickly evolved into a trend-defining product with an inclusive shade range and truly reliable materials. More collections have launched over the years, such as Liners and Glosses to Lily Square Toe and the Julia kitten heel iterations. However, Tkees credits the Lily as its launch point to success and continues with the same sentiment it started with on day one: quality beats quantity, every time.

Tkees are available for purchase on its website or any of its partner stores, including Anthropologie, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s and Dillard’s, as well as e-commerce sites like Revolve, ShopBop and Zappos. Tkees has also collaborated with major brands such as J.Crew and Petite Plume. With every stockist location, a message is underscored about Tkees: It’s an affordable luxury product that’s meant to be attainable.

This article was supplied by Ascend Agency.