Luxury label Balenciaga has raised eyebrows with its latest shoe design, dubbed ‘reptile trainers’.
The high-end brand, founded in Spain, which counts Kim Kardashian and Hailey Bieber as fans, has amassed a huge following with its avant-garde designs.
However, the brand’s latest sneaker model, featuring a ‘worn effect’ and ‘elongated toe’, has been turning heads for all the wrong reasons.
Social media users have taken to
Despite the disbelief of skeptical observers, the shoes are very real, not to mention the £1,460 price tag.
Balenciaga is causing a social media storm after releasing its new ‘reptile trainers’
The shoes, made in China, in black or silver, are leather-free and made of polyurethane and polyester.
They include several unique features, including a ‘worn effect’ and ‘elongated toe’, as well as the shoe size embossed on the back of the heel.
And despite costing a whopping £1,460, they’re sold out in some sizes on the Balenciaga website.
However, social media users were quick to slam the boots. One said: ‘This looks so awful!’ A second added: ‘Anyone wearing these should be bullied for two years.’
‘Okay no…. now they’re going way too far,” a third added. Another joked: ‘Anyone who designs for Balenciaga should go to jail now.’
Elsewhere, Balenciaga is selling a simple black tie for an eye-watering £250, but it appears to be nothing more than a regular tie.
The Spanish luxury fashion house is known for its crazy and unconventional designs, but seemed to disappoint with the mediocrity of a recent item.
Meanwhile, Asda is selling a much cheaper alternative for £5, with the added benefit of being machine washable, while the Balenciaga tie has to be dry cleaned.
Despite costing a whopping £1,460, the shoes are sold out in some sizes on the Balenciaga website
The sneakers have a ‘worn effect’ and ‘elongated toe’ and have the shoe size embossed on the back of the heel
Bizarre photos on Balenciaga’s website show a model donning the tie while wearing a blindfold, with the tie itself difficult to see on a navy blue shirt. Another strange image shows a crumpled version of the tie.
The tie for sale on the website of trendy clothing brand Balenciaga is made in Italy and from lyocell, a plant-based substance made from wood pulp.
The cheaper supermarket version is machine washable and 100 per cent polyester for £245 less.
Balenciaga described the item as: ‘Black, flowing cellulose poplin tie. We are committed to sustainable and ethical management of our activities.
‘The goal of reducing our impact on the environment influences our decisions.
‘At all levels and in all locations – whether in offices and stores or along the supply chain – we respect high standards of social and environmental responsibility.
‘Balenciaga is also fur and exotic leather free.’
Asda’s description simply said: ‘Regular fit, matte finish, machine washable.’
Despite all expectations, the tie appears to be popular, with the website stating that there is only one left in stock.
People took to X to share their thoughts on the shoes, and one said the brand has gone “way too far.”
Tesco and Sainsbury’s are also selling a black tie for £5, while the neckwear is selling for just £2.50 on Amazon.
Balenciaga is known for its crazy designs. Last November the company started selling a skirt that looked like a towel wrapped around the wearer for £695.
The design was later mocked by Dame Kelly Holmes of Loose Women, who modeled a £20 towel for the show.
The clothing line is popular with A-listers such as Kim Kardashian and England and Man City CEO Jack Grealish.
In 2022, it faced a backlash over an advertising campaign that showed children holding bondage-clad teddy bear handbags.
Unsurprisingly, the campaign images caused an uproar among parents on social media, who branded them ‘creepy’ and ‘awkward’.