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It is one of the world’s most esteemed fashion events of the annual calendar: Paris Fashion Week.
But this year, everyone is talking about one major designer brand’s new launch for all the wrong reasons.
To mark Saint Laurent’s iconic runway show for the Men’s Spring-Summer 2027 collection, designer Anthony Vaccarello introduced a rather … quirky addition to the line — a fully transparent men’s dress shoe.
As models walked through an immersive fog installation at the Modern Art museum in Paris, onlookers were quickly distracted by the alarming plastic shoes making their way down the misty catwalk.
“I asked myself: ‘Why torture women with plastic shoes, but not men?’” Vaccarello said with a grin at the show.
Historically, men’s shoes have remained more rigid and conventional than women’s footwear.
A trend that one of Australia’s leading men’s personal stylists argues is in place for a very good reason.
“Regarding the new YSL transparent men’s shoes, men aren’t typically known for having aesthetic feet or maintaining a rigorous foot care routine,” Jeff Lack told news.com.au.
“To me, these shoes give off ‘dinosaur vibes’ and are a bit creepy.”
He went on to add that he believes designer Vaccarello was deliberately stirring the pot.
“The collection uses transparency to be provocative, and it has clearly succeeded — after all, here we are discussing it.”
Well-known Australian fashion creator, who goes by the name ‘Fashion Critical’ on Instagram, also had some things to say about the collection.
And by the way, the saying ‘if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say it at all’ is absolutely not applicable in this instance.
She started by alerting her followers to the glaring issue that: “The men are wearing transparent plastic shoes.”
“I have long suspected that fashion designers are trolling us and trying to see how much rich people are willing to spend on ugly things,” she shared in the video.
“And ironically, the show was called Beyond the Fog, which I just think is so funny because those plastic shoes are going to get real fogged up.
“You know, there’s moisture in the feet. If you sweat even a little bit, it’s gonna get real misty in there.”
And thousands agreed.
“They must look fancy with all the sweat and condensation,” one person commented on Instagram.
“The fog. THE FOG!” said another, while a third added: “I can’t stop thinking about the smell”.
“Haven’t we been through enough,” someone else poked fun.
Many agreed with fashion experts alike that (most) people really don’t want to see men’s toes or feet in any context.
“Imagine your husband waiting for you at the altar wearing this,” said one, while another commented: “I’ve never got the ICK faster!”
Many were just outright outraged.
“I’m calling the police!” another user chimed in, while others said that “high fashion be plucking my last nerve sometimes”.
The controversial footwear wasn’t the only striking element of the runway, as Vaccarello stripped back traditional menswear norms in more ways than one.
There was gold … and lots of it.
There were sheer tops, there were slim (boardline skinny) pants, and there were bright parachute jackets.
One thing’s for sure, Vaccarello did get everyone talking.
But what do you think, is it a yay or nay?
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