Demna-led Balenciaga continues its exploration of the most disruptive and weirdest pair of shoes they can create and launch in front of the unsuspecting masses. After platform crocs and pointy rain boots, the fashion label is back with a pair of extremely distressed sneakers that look like they’ve seen better days.
Reminiscent of Converse hightops and mules in style, the collection is called the ‘Paris Sneaker’. The limited edition collection is not as distressed as the ones shown in the campaign dedicated to get people talking (and Twitter ranting). The actual on-sale shoes are still scruffed up and has purposely-added holes to remind the wearer, according to the brand, that these sneakers “are meant to be worn a lifetime”.
According to the brand, the new sneaker is “a retooled classic design which interprets mid-century athleticism and timeless casual wear in black, white, or red, with a white rubber sole and toe with distressed canvas and rough edges, affecting a pre-worn look.”
So for a mere INR 1.4 Lakhs (or $1850) you can buy a pair of sneakers that would already look like they’ve been worn in (quiet extremely by the looks of it) and make you feel better about supporting a vague message of sustainability from a big fashion house not realising the irony behind it all. There are a 100 pairs of extremely-distressed Paris Sneakers up for grabs.
The brand has also launched similar, less-distressed, sneakers for less than $700 (that’s INR 54K), available on the brand’s website if you’re feeling frugal.
