Step aside Stan Smith, you now have a rival for the “it” sneaker of the summer. Leave it to Pitkin County Dry Goods (PCDG) to take the title as the exclusive U.S. stockist (aside from Steven Alan, natch) of Swedish brand CQP.

“CQP is a really cool, small company that is just making its way over to the United States,” says assistant men’s buyer Nathan Harris. “We initially came across the brand when our owner David [Fleisher] was traveling in London and purchased a pair for himself. We all love them for their incredibly simple, clean design.”

Originally launched as Coloquy in 2013 with design headquarters and showroom in Stockholm, the company has each pair handmade in Portugal, with a calf-leather lining, removable insole, two sets of waxed laces, and a custom dust bag. Its limited retail partnership strategy is by design, which the brand says, “makes it possible to offer new products quicker and more often.” The more recent name change to CQP stands for “Conversations & Quintessential Products”—the "conversations" piece is highlighted on the editorial section of the website, which features interviews from influencers ranging from “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” Hans Strand and filmmaker Alfred Spellman to chef Eric Werner and Sony Music VP Michelle Kadir.

While the sneaks are technically unisex, PCDG is offering CQP’s debut Tarmac style as part of its men’s collection, in five colors: all white ($365) and ebony brown, tabac, storm gray, and all-black suede (all $358).

And don’t miss PCDG’s annual summer sale, which gets underway Thursday, July 14, with markdowns starting at 40 percent off (CQP not included).

Shop:
Pitkin County Dry Goods
520 E. Cooper Ave., Aspen
970-925-1681
Monday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
pitkincountydrygoods.com