This new agreement further establishes the longstanding relationship between the two organizations as they aim to "fostering strong industry relationships and developing innovations". In this new collaboration, Pensole and Vibram will develop multiple projects per year, working across their Portland and domestic infrastructure and managing the development and design process.

“We're so excited about the renewed collaboration with D’Wayne Edwards and Pensole. This collaboration is part of our global brand strategy and it is localized in the West Coast where we have our Portland, OR office, located close to PENSOLE. At Vibram, we're leading with platforms, not just products. Consumers continue to tell us they want innovation to perform better, as well as innovation that defines individuality and their lifestyle product. The collaboration with PENSOLE and its talented team of designers, will help Vibram to fulfill its promises”, commented Fabrizio Gamberini, President Vibram Corporation and Global Chief Brand Officer.

“I am honoured to be working with the best rubber sole company in the world. Having Vibram as a partner will provide our students the ability to gain knowledge about rubber soles that some industry veterans don’t even know. Lastly, this partnership further cements Vibram’s position as an industry leader because together we will be able to continue to push our industry forward with industry leading creations”, concluded Pensole founder D’Wayne Edwards.

Vibram is a player in the development and manufacturing of high-performance rubber soles for outdoor and leisure activities, workwear, fashion, orthopaedics and correction. With its international headquarters in Albizzate, Italy, Vibram produces over 40 million soles every year, is present in 120 countries and has manufacturing, research and representation bases in the US, China, Japan, Brazil and Italy.

The Pensole Footwear Design Academy is a footwear design school based in Portland, in the US. Founded in 2010 by D’Wayne Edwards, the school has partnerships with institutions such as Parsons The New School for Design, Art Center College of Design, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as brands such as Foot Locker, Asics, and adidas. Founder D'Wayne Edwards is a former Design Director of Brand Jordan, part of the Nike portfolio.