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Leave it to Rei Kawakubo to take the trendiest shoe of the moment and turn it upside down. This season, that’s exactly what the designer did with Repetto, bringing a punky, rebellious revamp to the classic ballet flat.
In the duo’s newest collaboration, Kawakubo’s Comme des Garçons label brought a daring twist to ballet flats — which have come back in full force in 2023, thanks to brands high and low releasing traditional slip-on and Mary Jane styles in a vast array of colors, textures and materials. The collaborative spin on the shoe between Garçons and Repetto cast it in glossy leather, complete with 2.75-inch platform soles.
Does the thick base still warrant the traditionally low-height shoe as a “flat”? Technically, yes, given that its soles are still flat. The $577 style, similarly to its predecessors, features angled, rounded toes and rounded counters, as well. Completing the pair is an adjustable buckled Mary Jane-style strap, while two additional angled straps and a delicate bow create a silhouette that’s both romantic and daring.
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The style’s also been crafted to appeal to a wide spectrum of fashion fans, given its two colorways: jet-black and cherry red. The former is a staple, versatile hue beloved by fashion’s subversive set, while the latter is also a top trend in footwear for the current fall season.
As previously mentioned, the collaborative flats are the latest high-end take on ballet flats to be released this season. This fall, an array of new styles have been launched by labels including Khaite, Alaïa and Dolce Vita — and with more pairs forthcoming in spring 2024, it’s being cemented as a definitive shoe of the 2020’s.
You can discover Comme des Garçons x Repetto’s platform ballet flats online at Saks Fifth Avenue.
About the Author:
Aaron Royce is the Digital Editor for Footwear News, where he writes stories on trending news, celebrity style, collaborations and in-depth profile interviews. Prior to joining Footwear News, Aaron wrote and interned for publications including PAPER, Grazia and the Daily Front Row. He currently holds a B.S. in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University.
