New York Fashion Week has concluded, offering a glimpse into the fashion trends that will shape the spring of 2024. While New York is not typically known for its emphasis on footwear (leave that to Milan, the shoe capital), this season brought the return of notable footwear designers, notably Paul Andrew, who showcased a diverse collection at Rockefeller Center’s skating rink, catering to various styles and heel heights.
On the runways, many designers made bold statements about the footwear that will dominate the scene next year. Ballet flats made a comeback, while the pointy-toed pump trend from fall ’23 appeared less enduring. Brands like Proenza Schouler, Tory Burch, and 3.1 Phillip Lim prioritized comfortable flats, while others focused on perfecting the ubiquitous sandal.
New York Fashion Week’s tradition of footwear collaborations thrived in spring ’24, with renowned names like Manolo Blahnik and Ugg contributing to creating memorable runway moments from head to toe.
Here’s a rundown of the top 10 standout shoes from New York Fashion Week’s spring ’24 season:
- Proenza Schouler’s Big-Toe Sandals: Proenza Schouler brought back the big-toe and thong sandals, giving them a chic yet uniquely viral twist with material detailing reminiscent of twisted tissues or toilet paper. These sandals were paired with sheer black hosiery, creating a captivating but puzzling style statement.
- Tory Burch’s Ballet-Sandal Hybrids: Tory Burch, known for both sandals and ballet flats, combined the two by incorporating diagonal uppers, a mini wedge, and stylish hardware elements into her spring ’24 collection.
- Paul Andrew’s Textured Ballerinas: Ballet flats made a triumphant return, thanks to Paul Andrew’s innovation. His collection featured classic neutrals and a fuzzy textured style with a patent leather buckle for the strap, proving that flats can be party-ready.
- Ancuta Sarca x Dion Lee Buckled Sandals: Ancuta Sarca collaborated with Dion Lee to create buckle-heavy silhouettes, using upcycled materials and signature utility buckles. Their black leather sandals with pointed toes and silver buckle details added an edgy touch to spring fashion.
- Manolo Blahnik’s Chic Mules for Altuzarra: Manolo Blahnik collaborated with Joseph Altuzarra for the first time, designing satin-covered mules with elongated toe boxes that perfectly complemented Altuzarra’s ultra-feminine collection.
- 3.1 Phillip Lim’s Homage to the Chinese Slipper: Phillip Lim paid homage to his city and heritage with sheer mesh ballet flats inspired by the Chinese slipper. These flats, particularly the lilac mesh with patent leather, offered a sweet and meaningful choice for the season.
- Gabriela Hearst’s Perfect Satin Pumps: Gabriela Hearst, known for her preference for sandals, surprised with a pair of black satin pumps backstage at her spring ’24 runway show. These pumps featured flexible satin uppers, a realistically shaped toebox, a sturdy heel, and subtle gold hardware, offering a fresh take on a classic silhouette.
- Larroudé x Jonathan Cohen Textured Sandals: Jonathan Cohen continued his tradition of footwear collaborations with Larroudé, incorporating textures and prints from his spring ’24 ready-to-wear collection into Larroudé’s bestselling Dolly platform sandal.
- Aknvas x Stuart Weitzman Frilled Pumps: Aknvas designer Christian Juul Nielsen collaborated with Stuart Weitzman for the second season, adding origami-inspired leather frills to simple pumps, enhancing the flair of his Hans Christian Andersen-inspired spring ’24 collection.
- Ugg x Collina Strada Spiked Mary Janes: Collina Strada partnered with Ugg to create unique Mary Janes featuring lug soles and substantial spikes inspired by cacti, offering an unexpected twist on the classic Ugg style.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Atlas Story journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.