Balenciaga Take the Concept of ‘Pre-Worn’ to the Next Level

Certainly no stranger to provocative designs, Demna Gvasalia's Balenciaga stewardship continues to create headlines in the world of fashion and sneakers.

Famously permeating the digital landscapes of Fortnite and The Simpsons in 2021, Balenciaga are turning their attention back to the ‘real’ world in the most dramatic fashion imaginable, the luxury imprint taking the concept of ‘pre-worn’ sneakers to a whole new level.

Utilising the Paris Sneaker silhouette, a model bearing close resemblance to iconic models like the Converse Chuck Taylor, the designs come in both high and low-top iterations, the latter resembling a mule.

Coming in varying degrees of distress, the sneakers are replete with scuff marks, holes and textural variance, the more dramatic end of the colourways even emblazoned with haphazard permanent markings.

If pre-loved aesthetics really aren't your vibe, you can even buy the Paris Sneaker sans scuff.

It’s also worth mentioning that the extremely pre-worn sneakers causing controversy on the internet (and seen in the gallery above) are part of Balenciaga’s marketing campaign, and do not actually belong to the collection. Another marketing masterstroke under Gvasalia's tutelage.

Pre-orders are now open for the Balenciaga Paris Sneaker. The mule will retail for $495, while the high-top version comes in at $625.