Looking back at 2016, there was no shortage of extraordinary moments in footwear.
From several fashion week presentations there were models who had trouble trotting down the catwalk in heels. Bella Hadid was among the casualties of loose footing during the spring ’17 shows, when she slipped in 5-inch platforms at the Michael Kors Collection New York Fashion Week show.
Her sister Gigi fared much better when she stumbled in edgy Mugler Lucite heels — recovering like a pro during the spring Paris Fashion Week presentation.
But it was Kanye West’s hotly anticipated Season 4 NYFW spring ’17 show that racked up more than one mishap, including a model who suffered a broken heel, and another who kicked off a shoe at the end of the runway and carried it off in her hand.
During Haute Couture Paris Fashion Week at the Galeries Lafayette, Vetements wowed observers with a buzzy presentation that featured waist-high Manolo Blahnik x Vetements boots. In total, the brand showed 18 collaborations with other boldface name labels: Dr. Martens, COMME des GARÇONS, Carhartt WIP, Levi’s, Canada Goose, Eastpak, Alpha Industries, Champion, Schott, Brioni, Mackintosh, Church’s, Kawasaki and Juicy Couture.
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Golden Goose felt the wrath of social media in September when the brand was blasted for “poverty appropriation” when its $585 Distressed Superstar sneakers went viral.
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry may think his signature shoes for Under Armour are “fire,” but Internet trolls roasted his Curry Two Low “Chef” sneakers when they dropped in June. Twitter was set ablaze with memes that skewered the $120 footwear for being dull and “dad”-like.
The most glowing reaction in footwear this year happened during the Rio Olympics’ closing ceremony. Team Great Britain lit up the night wearing illuminated sneakers by uniform supplier Simon Jersey. Paying a nod to the colors in Great Britain’s flag, the flashing red, white and blue lights were the envy of the other athletes and were a hit on the interwebs, too.
And Footwear News Achievement Awards Shoe of the Year winner Rihanna won fans over with her Fenty x Puma creepers. This year she was also recognized for another one of her many impressive skills — walking over subway grates.
