The Lego Shoe, And Other Things You'll Never Wear

Jul 18, 2007 @ 2:35pm

leggo my leggo.jpg
Every season, there are certain pieces that show up over and over again, everywhere from V to Vogue.

What's funny is, these pieces are almost always too expensive, too weird, and too directional to ever end up in anyone's closet - despite becoming emblems of their particular season.

So why do we see them in the pages of every glossy?

It's the very factors which make these items impossible for real-world-wear that make them so appealing to stylists.

They produce strong, memorable images. They sum up what's in and exemplify it - in the most literal way possible. They function as a sort of fashion shorthand.

This season it's all about metallics, so Balenciaga's gold robot leggings and Dolce and Gabbana's wide silver belts (complete with lock and chain) are getting the most attention.

Those items won't ever be best sellers. You won't pick up a pair of the Burberry Prorsum gauntlet gloves that are showing up everywhere. But you might buy a matte pair that's a little longer than the ones you got last year.

Now that the F/W 2007 editorial coverage has started, we predict that this is the piece you'll be seeing everywhere:

What Faran's dubbed "the lego shoe," made by Balenciaga.

Get used to seeing them, and be glad you won't ever have to wear them... they're so hard to walk in that Ghesquiere coated his runway with sticky Coca Cola to keep his models from sliding.

--ANNA FIELDING GRIGGS

posted by knowitall

Jul 18, 2007 2:55PM

Balenciaga is calling it the ski-boot, it weighs about 300 lbs and is over 2000. lets all go out and buy 16 pairs!!

posted by Anna

Jul 18, 2007 2:56PM

I've already been seeing this everywhere and I totally agree, they are atrocious! Those other items you linked to are appealing enough to make me wish I could wear them in real life, but I definitely despise these. What trend are they referencing, out of curiosity?

posted by AFG

Jul 18, 2007 3:00PM

I think they're part of the futuristic trend; they're very mechanical and high tech looking. They seem like they should be rocket-powered and allow you to levitate. Unfortunately, they don't. If they did they might really be worth their sticker price.

posted by anon

Jul 18, 2007 3:08PM

Yea, these are almost old news already. However, I think they are fantastic and creative. These pieces may not end up in everyone's closets but I'm certain a select few will have them, along with the myriad of variations that are easier to wear. The shoe is very sci fi/futuristic (as most of Nicolas Ghesquiere's collections are) but they are perfect for the new season's pops of bright color. I'm surprised you guys aren't hating on the socks he paired with them! cuz I love em.

posted by Faran

Jul 18, 2007 3:10PM

I don't think we're hating on anything in this post, nor are we attempting to let you know about some crazy new shoe from Balenciaga.

It's more about noticing that every season, there's a fashion emblem, distilled into one accessory, that nobody actually wears despite the fact that everybody photographs it.

posted by anon

Jul 18, 2007 3:19PM

"Now that the F/W 2007 editorial coverage has started, we predict that this is the piece you'll be seeing everywhere:

What Faran's dubbed "the lego shoe," made by Balenciaga. "

You are "predicting" something that's been out there already. And I bet that someone, somewhere in the world, with alot of money and love for fashion will wear them or a version of them. never say never, right? We know that every season there is the same Marc Jacobs or Balenciaga shoe in 90% of the editorials. Tell us something we don't know please.

posted by Chels

Jul 18, 2007 3:37PM

It looks like something a girl Transformer (are there any girl Transformers?) would wear. Nothing says high-end women's fashion like alien robots in a Michael Bay movie...

posted by aemilia

Jul 18, 2007 3:39PM

Coca-cola on the stage is a time honored dance trick. I love these "lego" shoes, but can't pay for them. Is this a Fimo DIY ?

posted by Kathryn

Jul 18, 2007 3:42PM

I could see Mary-Kate Olsen rocking them.

posted by Oh my.

Jul 18, 2007 3:45PM

I thought he used the sticky Coca-Cola floor in the Spring collection....
http://www.teenvogue.com/industry/model/iekelienestange?slide=12
According to Iekeliene.

They don't look THAT bad to walk in, but that doesn't change the fact that I'll never use them.

posted by guest

Jul 18, 2007 4:09PM

i would totally wear them

posted by kenbot

Jul 18, 2007 4:26PM

Slightly off-topic, has anyone noticed how the number of comments has generally diminished since fashionista began getting defensive about all of its posts? The post does "predict" that the Balenciaga shoe will be all over the editorials, and honestly, it doesn't take a fashion savant to guess that. I liked the post, I thought it was interesting, but I do feel lately like anyone who makes a critical comment is swiftly dressed down for daring to second guess the brains behind fashionista...

posted by anon

Jul 18, 2007 4:33PM

Exactly, kenbot! That's why I now make anonymous comments...Everytime I'd say something remotely critical Faran comes right back with extremely defensive responses...It's fantastic that she has the attention of fashion insiders-she should respect our opinions even if we don't necessarily agree with her.

posted by patentleather

Jul 18, 2007 4:44PM

i actually kind of like these, and probably would wear them if they didn't come with a balenciaga price tag. they're odd, sure, maybe a bit ugly, but there is something appealing about pairing them with a tight black skirt and a secretarial blouse (bow collar) in a primary color.

however, i feel like i started seeing these a couple of months ago... so i don't know how much of a "prediction" this is.

posted by Mindstormer

Jul 18, 2007 4:47PM

Fierce! Love them, maybe especially because they bear no practical connection to life on this planet at this time. I think it is true about the emblematic look or accessory and how they become sort of fetishized and turned into talismans of a particular point in time. But isn't that what everyone hopes for in the business? Capture their imaginations, and their wallets are soon to follow.

posted by erin

Jul 18, 2007 5:15PM

aren't they kind of like models? they are pretty but don't function well for real life?

posted by rollergirl

Jul 18, 2007 5:27PM

They look exactly like some shoes that Cyd Jouny did around 1995. I have a picture SOMEwhere! My prediction is those god-awful Prada footless socks will be everywhere. It's like stylists are trying to prove how 'edgy' (hate that word!) they are by using the uglist sh1t they can find.

posted by mary-kate hopkinson

Jul 18, 2007 5:33PM

Commenters sure are hard to please. I liked this post. Sure, I've seen that shoe before, but it's a good observation nonetheless. And I love that Faran and co. actually respond to questions and criticism in the comments, instead of pretending like they're above it all. So kudos to you, ladies.

What I want to know: What's "directional" mean?

posted by AFG

Jul 18, 2007 6:50PM

Okay, okay, predict was the wrong word to choose.

This -is- the piece you -are- seeing everywhere.

Directional means groundbreaking and new. Sometimes it's a nice way to say weird. Directional labels are labels that change what they put on the runway a great deal from season to season and push fashion and trends forward so:

Marc Jacobs, directional
Anna Sui, not so much

posted by Bonnie Lass

Jul 18, 2007 7:45PM

I actually really like these shoes. Yes, they're not something you'd wear, much less buy, but they're exciting and different and have such a playful feel to them. The bright primary colors remind me of Swatch Watches from the 80s ...

Although I feel like smacking ELLE for running them in editorial shoots in two issues in a row.

And there were no female Transformers in the series, but they existed in some of the comics.

What?

posted by I dont just like you. i like you, like you.

Jul 18, 2007 7:58PM

1st i fucking LOVE that shoe.

2nd yes they are so expensive that im sure i will never see, let alone wear, them in real life.

3rd the good thing about these kinds of pieces showing up in every magazine is that elements (or sometimes whole styles) get picked up by mass brands and filtered down in a more wearable way to the rest of us.

posted by J

Jul 18, 2007 8:00PM

Metallics need to DIe! They are so ugly and everyone who is endorsing them should get a clue.

posted by someone

Jul 19, 2007 3:08AM

Sorry guys, but I literally WORSHIP that shoe. If it were in my price range I would buy it, wear it, don't care if it's difficult to walk in, it is a MASTERPIECE. If that shoe were a man I'd throw it up against a wall and take advantage of it.

posted by London Girl

Jul 19, 2007 5:20AM

I would TOTALLY wear that shoe, in the alternate universe where I have a lot of money. I love the crazy, cutting-edge, directional stuff and I think it can integrate into daily fashion wear a lot better than most people think.

But then I think Viv Westwood thigh-high platform boots are just the thing to wear to sleazy rock gigs in Camden, so maybe I just exist on my own fashion planet.

posted by London Girl

Jul 19, 2007 5:24AM

"If that shoe were a man I'd throw it up against a wall and take advantage of it."

COMMENT. OF. THE. WEEK.

posted by Ani

Jul 19, 2007 5:35AM

Remember most fashions in the past like corsets, petticoats were uncomfortable but they are nice to look at. Most 5 inch heels are uncomfortable to wear after a while, especially if one does not have a towncar at their disposal. I would wear those Lego shoes. Actually will wait until it shows up on ebay to buy or if I'm lucky snatch it in sample sale. Just like the 10+ thousand USD Balenciaga limited dress from the s/s 02 season.
http://www.style.com/style/view/00/35/100053500.jpg
At the time it's astrominical price tag was questioned just like the Balenciaga C-3PO leggings are now questioned and hyped. The patchwork dress eventually showed up on the site for $990USD. Personally I like collecting these type of "potent" fashion pieces, but thats just me.

posted by eye4style

Jul 19, 2007 10:46AM

Looks like a Transformers shoe - Decepticons, engage!

posted by rachel

Jul 20, 2007 2:42AM

if designers didn't do these amazingly creative pieces each season, how boring would that be? it is like couture...it will help the brand's image by making it even more aspirational. thus better perfume sales!

yes it gets tedious to see the same shoe in all of the editorials, but if it isn't this shoe, it would be something else. runway doesn't always have to be based on reality either.