French luxe brand Balenciaga launches ‘fully-destroyed’ sneakers

The high-end brand has launched its limited collection of sneakers called ‘Paris Sneaker’, which are “fully destroyed”. The shoes are sold in two styles – high-top and backless mule.

Synopsis
Apart from its bizarre condition, the cost of the shoes is also raising eyebrows across the world.

Luxury fashion brand Balenciaga, which has a reputation for delivering “uncompromising standards” for a hefty price, is back in the news and this time, it’s not for any fancy collection but for offering a bizarre piece of product for a heavy price.

The high-end brand has launched its limited collection of sneakers called ‘Paris Sneaker’, which are “fully destroyed”. The shoes are sold in two styles – high-top and backless mule.

But the bizarre condition of the shoes isn’t the only reason why Balenciaga is making headlines. The cost of the shoes is raising eyebrows as well.

The high-top and mule variant of the completely destroyed shoes cost between $625 (Rs 48,378 approximately) to $1850 (Rs 1,43,198 approximately). The sneakers are currently available for pre-order and come in black or brown colors.

The ‘fully destroyed’ sneakers feature holes across the cotton sides, at the top and back while the brand’s logo flashes at the edge of the shoes.

The luxury brand suggested that the torn and ripped sneakers are meant to be worn for a lifetime. Hundred limited edition shoes of “these extra destroyed sneakers” will be available on the brand’s website till the supplies last.

Soon after the company launched the ‘Paris Sneaker’, it was met with criticism across different platforms on social media as users couldn’t make sense of paying a heavy price for shoes that are worn out and destroyed.

Livia Firth, ethical fashion campaigner and estranged wife of Colin Firth, took to Instagram to slam the luxury brand, saying that selling something expensive that is destroyed is “beyond offensive to those who wear shoes like this because they can’t even afford a basic meal.”

“I need you to help me understand how I feel about the new @balenciaga limited edition sneakers …. Part of me is totally offended, I don’t know the price tag but am sure they are not cheap and to buy something so destroyed is beyond offensive towards people I actually met who wore shoes like this because they couldn’t afford even basic meals. On the other side what is Balenciaga trying to say? Fashion is art yes and provocations have been many during its history. But what is the statement here? Please help. Maybe I just didn’t do my homework correctly ….” Firth’s Instagram post read.

Many echoed the same sentiments on Twitter. Take a look: