Sole Technology's Etnies skate shoe brand has appointed skate legend Sal Barbier as the brand’s Creative Director.
The legendary pro skateboarder will lead the newly announced SLB by Etnies line. In the early ‘90s, Barbier skated the Etnies Red Rap High in Plan B’s Questionable, marking the beginning of his connection with Etnies.
He later designed his signature Etnies Sal 23 pro model shoe, which was released in 1994. Barbier’s influence as a skateboarder, designer, and creative director makes him the ideal fit for this role with Etnies.
The partnership between Etnies and Barbier will commence with the relaunch of the iconic Sal 23 for Holiday 2024.
Barbier is currently working on designing a SLB by Etnies collection set to launch in Spring 2026.
When designing the original Etnies Sal 23, Barbier sought to address the issue of the high number of holes in the shoes he was wearing.
He aimed to create a visually appealing shoe that would stay on his foot and withstand grip tape.
In his role as Creative Director, Sal will develop the Etnies SLB line with a focus on style and functionality from a skateboarder's perspective.