In the past six months I’ve noticed a sea change in the nunmber of high profile designers who are coming out with couture sneakers. A recent article by trend watchers Euromonitor International proclaimed that “Women on the go are ditching their towering stilettos for flat alternatives “, implying that sneakers in particular fit the bill. I don’t know if I would go that far, especially when it comes to women in Miami. Yet it’s also true that we’re seeing sneakers for men and women of all ages turning up even in galas. Said Audrey Shaffer, Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami , “The “casual chic” look of sneakers in Hollywood may be becoming even trendier than gluten free cookies. And it’s a trend both men and women are taking.” And then there are the arbitrators of Parisian haute couture, Chanel and Christian Dior, who showed sneakers in the runway for their spring and summer 2014 fashion shows.
Sometimes the designer does a line for sportswear brands like Nike (Givenchy) or Adidas (Stella McCartney as I recently reported on) or other times the designer does its own thing. Some of the wildest models I saw on my recent trip to Asia — off the chart patterns, Swarovski encrusted high tops (have to admit, they almost made my shopping cart), shiny metallics, and high heeled varieties.
Why this trend and where did it come from? Some very interesting insights from Shaffer:
“The popularity of designer sneakers is partly related to the influence of the music industry, particularly the wide spread acceptance of rap and hip hop in fashion and in the mainstream. At award shows, you see actors walking the red carpet, rocking Armani suits with a pair of brand new, fresh out of the box Air Jordans. It gives off this aura that screams, “I’m classy and sophisticated, but I’m also laid back and fun.”
Comfort is another reason why more celebrities are embracing designer sneakers. Let’s face it: women’s fashion has not always taken comfort into consideration. I’ve always heard, “the shoes that hurt the most, look the best,” but is that necessarily true? How many of us have struggled to make those last few steps home, balancing all your weight on the ball of your foot, in heels 6 inches off the ground, fearing that at any moment your knees are going to buckle and your butt is going to be on the ground? Before you even have your front door open, you’ve frantically kicked off your high heels, wobbled like a penguin to the nearest chair, only to be traumatized by the horrific scene of blisters, bloody cuts, and massive swelling that you had been painfully ignoring all evening? It’s a norm for women to wear heels but why do we put up with this as our only option for feet apparel? That’s the beauty of designer couture sneakers: they take the pressure off (your feet) and give women a comfortable, acceptable and chic alternative to heels that you can wear on any night out. Now our feet are free to look and feel their best!”
What do you think?
3 Responses
as one who is built in a way which is diametrically opposed to a leggy latin, I wish to state that I was born in hi heels.
.mother says the delivery was beyond difficult…..
..anything that makes for comfort is great, but for me , never at the expense of the sex appeal I have fully shod in any shoe that lifts not only my body, but my confidence …..
further, I defy any woman to feel sexy in sneakers, chic or no chic…..
maktoub (Arabic for “it is written”)