Latest news with #PalomaElsesser
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ugly chic? The toe shoes just might be the strangest footwear trend currently
Source: Getty Images For years, they were considered the most reviled footwear on the planet. Now, the glove-like shoes that separate each toe have found their way onto red carpets, runways, and shopping waitlists. In 2025, the Vibram FiveFingers, once the butt of every fashion joke, have become the shoe of the summer, proving that trends have a way of circling back, no matter how strange they once seemed. High fashion? Toe shoes first appeared in 2006, launched by Italian sports and mountaineering brand Vibram for barefoot running purists. The design aimed to mimic natural foot movement, with each toe separated to allow greater flexibility and ground feel. While early enthusiasts swore by benefits like better posture and stronger foot muscles, the mainstream media was not convinced at all. Source: Getty Images The reaction ranged from laughter to open disgust. They became a symbol of performance-over-style dressing. That perception has shifted sharply in recent years. Lyst's second-quarter 2025 shopping index revealed that six of the top 10 most-searched fashion items were shoes, with toe shoes ranking among the most in-demand. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like At What Age Can You Retire With €350,000? Fisher Investments Ireland LTD Learn More Undo Several styles are now sold out globally, priced between $100 and $200. Margiela Tabis, Balenciaga Crocs, and even JNCO jeans have jumped on the barefoot-inspired bandwagon. Celebrities like BLACKPINK's Jennie Kim, model Paloma Elsesser, and rapper Doechii have been spotted in them, giving the once-shunned silhouette a boost in cultural capital. The 'footnaissance' and the celebrity effect Some fashion writers have dubbed this revival a 'footnaissance.' In her Neverworns newsletter, a New York-based fashion journalist compared the return of toe shoes to other naked dressing trends that leave little to the imagination. British Vogue famously declared in 2023 that 'toes are the new legs,' pointing to designers like Elena Velez, Wesley Harriott, Daniel Lee, Aaron Esh, and Natasha Zinko who have made feet a deliberate focal point in their collections. It's not an entirely new phenomenon. A decade ago, stars like Prince Harry, Kate Hudson, and Scarlett Johansson were spotted in FiveFingers. But this time, the comeback has the full backing of social media, and the cachet of being 'so ugly they're cool.' The benefits and the risks Source: Getty Images Advocates argue that toe shoes are more than a gimmick. Research has shown that runners and walkers who wear them can increase muscle thickness in their feet, which helps stabilize arches. Supportive shoes, by contrast, can lead to underused foot muscles and gradual arch flattening over time. Toe shoes may also help change gait mechanics and, in some cases, reduce the risk of plantar fasciitis. But podiatrists warn that the design isn't without drawbacks. One study found that over half of runners wearing toe shoes for just 10 weeks showed signs of bone marrow stress — an indicator of a higher risk of fractures. Their flat profile can also put strain on the Achilles tendon, potentially leading to tendinitis and painful inflammation. For some, the appeal is simply practical- no socks needed, less laundry, and a feeling close to being barefoot. For others, the charm lies in their defiance of traditional beauty standards.
Daily Mail
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'Freaky' footwear once worn by Kate Hudson and Scarlett Johansson named the 'shoe of the summer' - but people say the design makes them want to 'throw up'
A bizarre five-fingered shoe has become the latest summer fashion trend, despite some people saying the design makes them want to 'throw up'. Sport and mountaineering brand Vibram, based in Albizzate, Italy, first released its glove-like shoes with individual toes in 2006 for a niche market: bare running enthusiasts. Fast forward to 2025 and the unusually shaped footwear has now become highly desirable after being featured in Vogue and worn by A-listers such as Jennie Kim, Paloma Elsesser and Doechii. Once worn by the likes of Kate Hudson, Scarlett Johansson and even Prince Harry and dubbed 'the shoe of the summer', influencers and fashion fans have attempted to get their hands on a pair, with some hunting online 'for months'. Those eager to hop on the latest fashion trend have been wearing their Vibrams like a badge of honour, showing them off on social media, in the office and even on public transport - much to the dismay of disgusted commuters. Fashion designer Egor Modelyer, from Moscow, who has more than 60,000 followers on TikTok, filmed himself spinning around on a chair while wearing a black version of the shoe while in the workplace. Others have even braved stares from judgemental Londoners by wearing the eccentric glove-like shoes on the tube while running errands around the city. Fashion advisor Emma Hope, from London, filmed herself wearing her new shoes and wrote on TikTok: 'POV, people on the tube are laughing at your freaky toe shoes.' She then captioned the clip: 'You wouldn't understand!!!' But not everyone is a fan, as another social media user, Feri, filmed one woman wearing the shoes while riding on the London Underground, sharing the footage to TikTok. She said in a voice over: 'No, this is not acceptable on transport, oh my God they're your toes. Oh my God, I'm going to throw up. No. Get them off.' Fashion influencer Abby Walker filmed a video of herself dancing around her home because she 'finally' managed to get her hands on a pair of Vibrams. However, she then said one of the downsides of the peculiar footwear choice is that 'everyone laughs at my shoes.' This racked up several comments, with one person admitting: 'I wear mine to the gym and everyone stares.' Another said: 'Not everyone understands fashion and that's OK.' A third wrote: 'Don't be sad because I keep seeing videos and I want them so bad but they are sold out.' Fashion enthusiast Abby appeared excited after getting her hands on the shoes after they sold out before filming herself acting sad as she said: 'Everyone laughs at my shoes' Many TikTokers commented their thoughts on Abby's video, with another person saying that people 'stare' at the shoes when they're at the gym A fourth claimed: 'Omg, I get so many compliments on mine.' However, some have complained about the attention they've gotten for wearing the footwear, with one Brit claiming that you will 'have to talk about them constantly'. Georgia, who is also a big fan of the glove-like shoes, said on TikTok: 'At first I thought it was funny and I would voluntarily talk about them and post about them. 'Now, every single time I wear them, I have to talk to someone about them. 'It's not that the novelty has worn off but sometimes I'm just in a rush or I've just gone to the shops and I'm picking up some things or I'm at the gym and it's early and I'm tired and someone is like '"Oh my God, are your shoes comfortable?" which means they f***ing hate them. 'Which is fine, but then I've almost got to give them therapy to make it okay and I'm like "Don't worry, they're really comfy, you should try them!"' Prince Harry and a handful of Hollywood stars were ahead of the trend, after it was revealed that the Duke of Sussex bought a pair while shopping in San Diego in 2011. 'We couldn't quite believe it when we saw them, but he snapped them right up,' said a source at the time. Scarlett Johansson, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Hudson were all snapped wearing them in the early 2010s too. Vibrams were invented in 1994 by a design student who wanted to 'figure out a way to move around in nature better' and are meant to replicate being barefoot. According to the brand, 'they have thin, flexible soles contoured to the shape of the human foot, including visible individual sections for the toes.' The 'shoes' were targeted at yacht racers to maintain grip on slippery decks but were quickly taken up by runners and gym goers.
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Vogue
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
One Woman Is Behind Hailey Bieber, Chappell Roan, and More Incredible Manicures at the 2025 Met Gala
'For Alicia, we wanted her nails to echo the elegance of her suit—clean, polished, and deeply personal. We matched the nail color to the exact shade of her suit and added sleek extensions for a touch of glam. The standout detail were custom buttons on each nail, identical to the ones on her suit, engraved with her initials and her husband's.' Paloma Elsesser 'For Paloma's Met Gala look, we went hyper-real. Her character is a futuristic dandy caught in a time capsule, called for something uncanny and unexpected. I custom-mixed a yellow cream gel with hints of brown, white, and clear to mimic the tones of her natural nail plate, layering it beneath extensions for depth. Then I feathered in the faintest brown lines across the top to push the realism even further.' Adut Akech 'For Adut's look, she's completely covered in Swarovski, so we kept the nails refined and understated—natural across the board, with a single flash on the ring finger, encrusted in Swarovski crystals. Quiet elegance to complement the full shimmer.' Ashley Graham Chappell Roan
