Common Projects is an American luxury footwear brand founded in 2004 by Prathan Poopat and Flavio Girolami in New York City. The brand is known for its minimalist sneaker designs, clean construction, and the distinctive gold serial number stamped on the lateral heel of each shoe. Common Projects has become one of the most recognized names in the premium minimalist sneaker segment.
The brand's flagship product is the Original Achilles Low, a clean white leather sneaker that has achieved iconic status in both fashion and sneaker communities. The Achilles is produced in Italian Nappa leather with a margom rubber sole and features no visible branding beyond the gold-foil serial number, which encodes the style, size, and color of each pair. Other core silhouettes include the BBall, Track, Retro, and Tournament models, as well as Chelsea boots, derby shoes, and other leather footwear.
Common Projects footwear is manufactured entirely in Italy, at a factory in the Marche region that also produces shoes for other luxury brands. Materials are sourced from Italian tanneries, with full-grain leather and premium suede used across the collection. The brand's design philosophy emphasizes restraint, proportion, and materials quality over embellishment or trend-driven details.
Common Projects distributes through its own e-commerce platform and through a curated network of premium retailers and department stores worldwide, including Mr Porter, SSENSE, Barneys (historically), and Dover Street Market. The brand has maintained a selective distribution strategy and limited production approach. Common Projects is now part of a broader portfolio under its parent company, with the brand continuing to operate from New York.