This Limited-Edition Sneaker Has An Olympic Connection

French fashion brand ba&sh, ahead of the Summer Olympics, has partnered with Olympic legend and entrepreneur, Allyson Felix and her performance brand Saysh to launch a limited-edition SABA sneaker. An 11-time Olympic Medalist and most decorated American Track & Field athlete in history, Allyson co-founded Saysh with the principle that women deserve better – in footwear, apparel and beyond. The ba&sh x Saysh collaboration embodies the spirit of movement and empowerment, encouraging women to embrace their strength and style, while challenging the status quo. The SABA Sneaker ($260) is available in two colourways, and is now online and in-select ba&sh stores. We chatted with the co-founders of ba&sh to learn more. —Noa Nichol

What inspired ba&sh to collaborate with Allyson Felix and Saysh on the SABA sneaker?

Allyson Felix’s journey deeply resonated with us at ba&sh for her commitment to performance, empowerment, and inclusivity—values that are firmly rooted in our brand’s ethos. Her advocacy for maternity rights in sports, her innovative approach as an entrepreneur with the creation of Saysh, and her role as a mother and leader perfectly align with our mission to support women through fashion. Allyson embodies the resilience, leadership, and spirit of transformation we admire. It is her determination to create positive change for women that sparked our interest in this collaboration.

How do you feel the SABA sneaker embodies the spirit of movement and empowerment that both ba&sh and Allyson Felix stand for?

The collaboration between ba&sh and Saysh represents much more than a partnership; it embodies the unity of shared values and visions, blending fashion and athletic performance with a common goal: the empowerment of women. The synergies we anticipate are diverse and significant.

Firstly, innovation meets design, merging Saysh’s expertise in sneakers and performance with ba&sh’s style and responsible production. This culminates in our ‘SABA sneaker’, combining aesthetics, functionality, and responsible production. Our wish was to offer a lifestyle runner that would capture the essence of the 90s – Saysh’s team had a strong desire for this type of proportions in the sneakers, and from ba&sh’s side to infuse a 70s style into the materials, colors, and textures.

The result is the SABA sneaker, a hybrid of all these influences and inspirations.

Secondly, our shared commitment to social responsibility and strengthening the female community promises to amplify our impact, promoting equality and inclusivity.

With the timing aligned with the Summer Olympics in Paris, this collaboration also benefits from a unique synergy between sport and fashion, inspiring and engaging a global audience.

Finally, as companies founded and led by women, this collaboration exemplifies the strength of female entrepreneurship, serving as a model for the future.

In summary, the synergies between ba&sh and Saysh are based on a shared vision of a world where women are valued, supported, and celebrated, ready to make a significant mark in both the fashion and sports industries, as well as in the lives of women everywhere.

Could you share some insights into the design process of the SABA sneaker and how it reflects the unique strengths of both ba&sh and Saysh?

The development of the SABA sneaker has been a meticulous process, reflecting our dedication to quality and collaborative design. The journey began when our product teams met with Wes, Allyson’s brother & co-founder of Saysh, in October 2022. Since then, we’ve maintained bi-weekly meetings with the Saysh teams and the ba&sh U.S. subsidiary. Allyson was kept in the loop by her brother, and our product team worked closely with us throughout the process.

It took three rounds of prototypes over 1 year and 8 months to perfect the design, composition, and materials of the sneakers. This careful attention to detail in the development phase ensured that every aspect of the sneaker was crafted to meet our high standards of style, comfort, and sustainability.

Following the design phase, our partners dedicated five months to production. This time investment underscores our commitment not only to crafting a product that stands out but also to ethical manufacturing practices. It’s this blend of intentional design and responsible production that makes the SABA sneaker, an example in the industry, showcasing what is possible when innovation is guided by conscientious principles. 

What do you hope women will feel or experience when they wear the SABA sneaker, and how does it align with the values of both brands?

When a woman wears our pair of shoes from the collaboration between ba&sh and Saysh, we want them to feel empowered during significant moments in their lives. The aim was to ensure a tailored fit that provides support and prioritize comfort. It is also a testament to our belief that you can be conscientious about the planet while never compromising on style or performance.

With the SABA sneaker being a limited edition, are there any plans for future collaborations between ba&sh and Saysh or other similar partnerships?

The response from our community, as well as Allyson and Saysh, has been overwhelmingly positive. We have been receiving an abundance of wonderful feedback, both publicly and through private messages. We are grateful for the support and excited to see what the future holds! What we can tell you is that ba&sh’s fall season is shaping up to be busy: we will have a strong campaign featuring a very well-known personality and we will be collaborating with a renowned designer from New York. Stay tuned for all our exciting updates.