New Style Idea

Between the red carpet-turned-runway extravaganza and the 10-minute Simpsons episode at Demna Gvasalia’s summer ’22 Balenciaga show, you might have missed the biggest footwear collaboration of Paris Fashion Week.

Balenciaga and Crocs are teaming up again, but this time with a surprising new silhouette — part of the fashion house’s “Red Carpet” collection. The latest style is the “Hard” Crocs platform with silver metal rivets and a Balenciaga nameplate on the front.

The cyber goth aesthetic is a definite departure from previous iterations of the collab looks, which have included a 10-centimeter embellished platform version of the iconic Crocs clog, the Crocs stiletto, and a rainboot style.

Elliot Page, Lewis Hamilton and several more models wore the new Crocs platform on the red carpet at Théâtre de Châtelet. Page was part of the official cast of Balenciaga’s friends, models and team members who modeled the summer ’22 collection looks as part of the red carpet “premiere,” which was really the show. (Guests like Cardi B also showed up in head-to-toe Balenciaga to take in all the action and support Gvasalia.)

The collection spanned from streetwear and daywear to evening wear and proto-couture pieces. Gvasalia’s silhouettes varied from ultra-slim to dramatically oversized.

As for the footwear, the Crocs collab was just one of many big debuts.

The Space shoe, made entirely of sustainable EVA material, is a single mold alternative to the classic derby style.

The new chunky sneaker of the season is the Defender, made with extreme tire tread.

The Cagole boot is the footwear version of the classic studded leather bag.

Soft calf loafers are slipper-like, playing up the comfort factor. And the trompe l’œil boots resemble a stiletto sandal worn over a sock.