Melissa is leaning into utility-forward design with its latest collaboration. The Brazilian footwear brand has teamed up with Alexandre Pavão on a limited-edition collection centered around sculptural construction, saturated color and material contrast.

The standout: the Melissa Kirk sandal, a new silhouette built on a molded EVA sole with a Melflex upper and rope-inspired lacing. The design features thick knotted straps, tubular hardware and wraparound cords that tie at the ankle — a nod to Pavão’s long-running use of climbing references and hardware in his accessories. Available in four colorways — black, pink and red, blue and mint and a high-contrast orange, yellow and blue — the Kirk merges sport and statement in equal measure.

Pavão explained the design inspiration: “I believe that in both Melissa’s and Alexandre Pavão’s universe, there is an explosion of colors, and I would definitely say it’s a big part of our DNA, making our brands easily recognizable out in the streets. Orange and blue are two of the most beloved colorways between our ALPV lovers, present throughout all our collections. Pink is one of Melissa lovers’ favorite colors, and black is black, so you can’t go wrong with it.

Alongside the Kirk, the collection includes Melflex versions of two Pavão bag styles. The Melissa Nina Bag updates a compact, structured favorite with carabiner hardware and a molded finish, while the Melissa Olga Bag retains its oversize form but adds durability through textured construction and a saturated palette.

“I’ve always liked to test limits,” Pavão said of his synergy with Melissa. “I believe that since you’re creating something that will be later on produced and bought, it must have a purpose, even if it’s ‘just’ to express yourself freely. So to merge both worlds, I knew I wanted to create something different — such that I even challenged the designers at Melissa to create a functioning carabiner (classic in my brand) in Melflex. At the end of the day, I want to have fun creating, and I think Melissa was ready to test new boundaries.”

“This collaboration is a bridge between the present and the future of national design, and we are very proud to be part of it,” Melissa’s director Paulo Pedó said in a statement. “With Alexandre Pavão, we found an original voice that shares our vision and helps us explore new aesthetic and design possibilities.”

The collaboration joins a growing slate of recent Melissa projects that tap into fashion’s material experimentation and nostalgia-led maximalism. Earlier this year, the brand released collections with Diesel, Maldito and Nodaleto — each expanding on Melissa’s core identity: sculptural design made with sustainable, plastic-based materials.

The full collection launches in the U.S. on Aug. 12 at shopmelissa.com, with sandals available in sizes 5 to 10.