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Between incredulity and irony they have already made people talk about them. They are the rubber clogs with heels born from the co-lab between Balenciaga and Crocs, decidedly uncomfortable shoes (already nicknamed “sharks”) that could cost up to 1000 dollars.
The release date is still unknown but there are already those who think they will immediately go sold-out.
Balenciaga and Crocs: the antecedents
The rubber clogs they are already in trend and even skeptics will have to accept it. Some designers like Demna Gvasalia are now focusing on them but it all started with the Spring / Summer 2017 fashion show of Christopher Kane which made them famous thanks to crystals, gems and rhinestones. The following year, Balenciaga took them to the catwalk in their most colorful variations, embellished with dizzying charms and platforms.
If they made their debut a few years ago with already record sales, it is this spring that rubber clogs have seen their boom, thanks to some international stars such as Justin Bieber is Chiara Ferragni who wore them. The final consecration came recently, with the Balenciaga Spring / Summer 2022 fashion show that announced the collaboration with Crocs.
Balenciaga and Crocs: the co-lab
Here are the two shoe models born from the Balenciaga-Crocs co-lab: the clog with stiletto heel and the rubber boot with maxi sole.
The colors will be black, gray and bright green, while there is no certain information on the price and release date. “Sharks”, or “ugly shoes”, as the web has renamed them, will probably be sold for around $ 1,000. However, Balenciaga and Crocs isn’t the first time they’ve worked together: In 2017, the companies teamed up to create one platform plinth. “It is a very innovative shoe – commented the designer of that moment – It is light, made with a one-piece foam mold and for me working with this type of materials is very Balenciaga”. That shoe in 2019 was over on a pedestal at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a symbol of the fact that, despite the fact that footwear is absurd, it is both talked about and contributes to giving a solid and defined image of the brand. “As long as you talk about itCrocs CEO Andrew Rees clearly said in a 2017 interview with investors. “Our collaborations with Christopher Kane and Balenciaga have resulted in invaluable PR coverage.”
Balenciaga and Crocs: the taste for provocation
Balenciaga-Crocs rubber clogs have already attracted the attention of social media users by becoming a catchphrase. On the other hand, chewy Crocs have become famous for their comfort and, for this reason, they are very popular especially by children. This distinctive feature has now been eliminated with the addition of the heel, a symbol of elegance and femininity but certainly not of comfort. The choice of brands is the result of the marketing strategy that rewards the most in the current era of the tam tam of social media: provocation that triggers an emotional reaction. Important brands such as those of the two brands in question then play their part in attracting buyers. With these assumptions, record sales are to be expected.
