It happened, the ‘ugly shoe’ got uglier
Balenciaga just sent Crocs down the Paris Fashion Week runway
Fashion flirting with Crocs is not a new concept – Christopher Kane has collaborated with the footwear brand for a couple of seasons now. He bedazzled his, gave them a marble look and even added tufts of fur. Thankfully, the Gucci Slider won that battle and became the season’s cool-girl flat of choice.
But it seems not even the hundreds of bloggers snapped by the Sartorialist wearing these leather sliders has been enough to eradicate the idea of Crocs getting any fashion credibility. Earlier this week, designer Demna Gvasalia had his finale girls saunter down the catwalk in sky-high Crocs. That’s right, 10cm platform Crocs closed the Balenciaga 2018 Spring Show.
Already nicknamed ‘The Foam’ the recreation of the ‘ugly’ shoe has the fashion world buzzing. Gvasalia revealed to Vogue that he praises the design for its modernity: ‘It’s a very innovative shoe. It’s light, it’s a one-piece foam mould and to me, these kinds of techniques and working with these kinds of materials is very Balenciaga,’ he said. Apparently, he envisions us all using 3D printers to create our own shoes at home one day. Can we really expect a little home-time-Balenciaga-DIY?
Sure, we all re-embraced Birkenstocks and ditched heels for backless Gucci loafers – but bright yellow wedged crocs? I just can’t see it working. Crocs are adorable on children and we’ve already decided as a society to forgive the likes of chefs and doctors who are on their feet all day for wearing them. But as the shoe of choice for your next cocktail evening? Please, make it stop.