SNEAKER HALL OF FAME: BALENCIAGA TRIPLE S
3 min read
We independently evaluate the products and services offered. All products or services are displayed in different formats. We may receive compensation if you click on a link we provide.
Sneaker Hall of Fame is Fashion Beans’ compendium of iconic sneaker designs of all time. From the popular Achilles Low to the first Nike Air Force One, these are the Balenciaga shoes that changed the course of footwear history.
There’s a famous scene in Jurassic Park where young Tim Murphy sees a glass of water shaking. He worries that something big is coming, and it doesn’t take long for his fears to be revealed the following week when a Tyrannosaurus rex appears and attacks him.
To get a snapshot of what’s been happening in fashion over the last three years, imagine this movie scene with two different items. Instead of Tim Murphy, draw a pair of white shoes. And instead of big dinosaurs, imagine the big and colorful shoes that could have existed when the former gym teacher’s platform shoes and boots created the child under the rainbow.
The Balenciaga Triple S is a shoe that should be praised or blamed, depending on who you ask, for this unique U-drama of footwear fashion. It’s the unmistakable design that had fashion editors scribbling in notebooks and high street stores, with the second copy hitting the catwalk in January 2017. There are few things that can claim to be a Snapshot, but this is one of them. Here we’ll outline why, and explore the history of one of the world’s most iconic clothing brands.
THE HISTORY OF THE BALENCIAGA TRIPLE S
Created in collaboration with Demna Gvasalia and fashion designer David Tourniaire-Beauciel, who has created Balenciaga shoes for brands such as Maison Margiela and Givenchy and frequently collaborates with Balenciaga, Triple S will be strong from the start.
The ‘S’ in Triple S stands for Self. In other words, there are three of these shoes. Patterns were taken from running shoes, basketball shoes and athletic shoes and combined to create a 6.5cm platform that gives the Triple S its unique look and name.
More practically, this minimalist design style was a far cry from the minimalist sneakers of years past, with their low silhouettes and stark details of their predecessors. Although it was a surprise for many, it was an expected development for fashion followers. The pendulum was finally starting to swing the other way, and it was Triple S who made the decisive move.
WHAT MAKES THE TRIPLE S GREAT
Balenciaga’s Triple S was the catalyst for a luxury footwear market now worth hundreds of millions. The first of its kind, it was a luxury shoe house where shoe enthusiasts and luxury model enthusiasts came together and had both.
In an era where streetwear and haute couture did not exist, this design helped bridge the gap. In fact, the Triple S is a sign of the times, where the two worlds collide in ways that are now indistinguishable from one another.
It’s been around since 2017 — almost a decade ago in fashion terms — but it’s still one of the most admired, mocked, imitated, remembered and sought-after shoes of all time. It’s quite a legacy in terms of design and proof that the Balenciaga Triple S deserves an early induction into the Sneaker Hall of Fame.
HOW TO STYLE THE TRIPLE S
Normally, the first thing we recommend when wearing sandals is to get two pairs of no-show socks, but when it comes to high heels, different rules apply.
Skinny and barefoot trousers are on the menu. If you don’t want your feet to look skinny compared to big shoes, it’s better to invest in socks. If they’re white and have a logo, it’s bonus streetwear. Then throw in a few inches of straight-leg cargo to fill out your lower half.
Make sure you choose something that is the right size for your shoes. The Balenciaga hoodie will be our favorite outfit. It would be easy, or it would be stuck with the brand of quality roads. Finish by layering a jacket or vest over it and using dad fabric or hats depending on the weather, and tie it all together with a crossbody bag.