Balenciaga's $630 Zero 'barefoot' shoes leave almost your entire foot exposed — and the internet is divided
The fashion house's new footwear, dubbed "The Zero," are reported to have a $450 USD (approximately $630 CAD) price tag.
Balenciaga isn't necessarily known for having the most practical footwear. From shoes inspired by socks to sneakers reminiscent of a reptile, the luxury fashion house has, in the past, often fell victim to wide-ranging discussions over its designs.
This week doesn't seem all that different. On Monday, Balenciaga creative director Demna Gvasalia dropped his Fall 2024 collection, ditching a traditional runway show in favour of "internal use" images posted on Instagram. The lineup, called "Collection Materials," featured typical Balenciaga style: Men's underwear turned into bottoms, baggy T-shirts featuring stars like Nicole Kidman and oversized all-black outfits.
But one key item leaving many people online perplexed are a new shoe called "The Zero." The slip-on, minimal designs have left some critics comparing them to insoles, since they leave your entire foot bare — except your big toe. The 3D-molded shoes — with a reported price tag of $450 USD (around $630 CAD) — are entirely made of EVA foam.
"The Zero: An ultralight 3D-molded sole that redefines minimalism — bringing you closer to barefoot freedom," a post on one of Gvasalia's Instagram accounts wrote as a caption.
Across social media, people had varying thoughts about the new shoes. While some were excited about a barrier-breaking design in footwear, others were quick to find the humour in an accessory that's pretty much the closest you can get to going barefoot.
"Flat arch people are screaming," an Instagram user wrote.
"What if you have wide Flintstones feet?" another quipped.
"They look cool but I could imagine not really comfortable, and I have a flat foot. My whole sock gonna be dirty," someone added.
"But what if my feet aren't necessarily like, aesthetically… pleasing?" a Reddit user questioned.
"It's like Demna was told by his boss to cut down on shoe material. ... This seems like a f—k you to the boss, using as little material as possible," another pondered.
"At this point, fashion really just a social experiment and folks tryna figure out how far y'all will take it," an X user penned.
"Playing right in our faces," one person noted.
The Spanish fashion house, which is headquartered in Paris, has released other pieces in recent years that are arguably more questionable. In 2022, it teamed up with Lays to create a potato chip hand bag that cost $1,800 USD.
That same year, the brand launched its Paris Sneaker, which sported a "pre-worn" look and included a "full destroyed" pair that cost more than $1,800. Back then, people criticized the fashion house for being "insensitive" and commodifying "poverty chic."
Earlier this year at Paris Fashion Week, Balenciaga also released a tape bracelet that left some saying they "thought this was a joke." That accessory resembled a normal roll of clear tape, but upon further viewing had the Balenciaga logo and "adhesive" written all over.
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