Renowned fashion designer Richard Chai has partnered with hip boot brand Palladium on a capsule collection for Fall/Winter 2012. Chai has put his spin on two of Palladium’s iconic men’s styles which just debuted at the designer’s New York Fashion Week show.

The Richard Chai for Palladium capsule collection will be launched at retail locations in October. Palladium was founded in France in 1920 to make aircraft tires; in 1947, after the end of WWII saw demand dry up, the firm put its expertise to use by making rubber-soled boots that were just as rugged and reliable. They soon became outfitters of the famed French Foreign Legion, establishing a legacy of adventurous exploration and earning fans like Pharrell Williams.

To complement his “urban nomad”-inspired Fall/Winter 2012 men’s ready-to-wear collection, Chai created his own versions of Palladium’s Pampa Hi and Pampa Tactical models. All feature Chai’s own custom fabrics including corduroy and felted wool, evoking elements of classic men’s tailoring.

“I love the idea of working with Palladium because of the history and heritage of their boots,” Chai notes. “It’s a real opportunity to take a 60-year-old classic design and have someone of Richard’s talent create their own interpretation, looking through a completely fresh lens,” adds Barney Waters, VP of Marketing for Palladium. “When you blend the authentic heritage of Palladium with Richard’s eye for modern menswear, it’s a powerful combination.” Visit PalladiumBoots.com to learn more.