Allen Edmonds is continuing to spotlight its upscale Reserve collection with major moment during New York Fashion Week.
For the fall 2026 season, the Caleres-owned shoe brand is set to show up on Public School’s return to the runway on Wednesday night with all-new footwear styles. The moment will introduce three exclusive silhouettes created specifically for the runway – the Holland single monk strap, Amsterdam derby, and Charlton boot – each based on new Reserve collection styles debuting later this fall.
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Handcrafted in Port Washington, Wis., using Reserve collection luxury materials and construction methods, the styles aim to serve as a contemporary expression of the shoe brand’s craftsmanship through Public School’s design sensibility.
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In an exclusive interview with FN ahead of Wednesday night’s show, Public School cofounder Maxwell Osborne noted that his design approach to the brand’s new Allen Edmonds styles was all about “reconstruction.”
“We’re taking what exists and building it back with intention,” Osborne said. “We were thinking about resilience, the energy of New York, and the convergence of elements that have always defined our work and brought that same mindset to the footwear.”
As for why the brand chose to work with Allen Edmonds for this project, Osborne pointed to the brand’s legacy of shoemaking. “The fact that the Reserve collection shoes are still handcrafted in Port Washington gave the process a real sense of authenticity,” he said. “It felt like a natural meeting point between heritage craft and a modern New York perspective.”
Osborne, along with his cofounder Dao-Yi Chow, also explained how the new shoe styles complements the label’s apparel range. “The collection is about precision, structure, and the tension between strength and vulnerability, reflecting a city that is constantly rebuilding itself,” Osborne said. “The shoes ground the looks. They bring weight and authority to the silhouettes, balancing the tailoring and outerwear with something refined, but still powerful.”
Chow added that the derby and boot silhouettes “offer the balance between utility and style.”
“It feels like we combined two iconic silhouettes relevant and reflective of the times right now – a built-up solid shoe, with a strong outsole that happens to straddle the line between utility and style,” Chow explained.
Looking ahead, the duo were coy on if the partnership with Allen Edmonds would extend beyond fall 2026. “For us, it is always about working with people who share a similar mindset, those who respect craft and understand the cultural context of what we do,” Osborne said. “This project felt very organic, so we are open to continuing the relationship if it evolves in a way that feels authentic to both sides.”
The new Amsterdam derby, which retails for $995, will be available for purchase for a limited time on the Public School website on Feb. 12.