Gems and Embellishments Aren’t Just for Clothes – Jewelry Is Finding Its Way Onto Sneakers and Other Shoes





In a world full of barely-there sandals, ultra-slim sneakers and other minimalist footwear occupying the mainstream fashion scene, certain brands are pushing back against the idea that less is more. As bedazzled streetwear heats up, bejeweled sneakers and shoes are having a moment too — presenting a sparkling maximalist alternative for men and women alike.

A sneaker collaboration from earlier this year between Asics and London-based jewelry and accessories brand Completedworks spoke to this ethos — and it has celebrity support. Dua Lipa wore the Asics x Completedworks Gel-Kayano 20 in New York on Wednesday. The style accessorizes an early 2000s Asics running shoe with motifs from the jewelry brand, including mismatched gems, pearlescent bows and floral details. Lipa styled a black version featuring floral embellishments with a sporty look that included navy track pants and a green T.

“As a studio, we often discuss the juxtaposition of femininity and a certain sense of ornateness with the practical and every day,” founder and artistic director Anna Jewsbury said in a statement. “Trainers, with their simplicity and pragmatism, sit perfectly at the center of that.”
Elsewhere in the market, Nike and Jordan-obsessed sneakerheads may be clamoring for the limited-edition Victor Solomon x Nike Trophies collection in black. The lineup features Air Foamposite One, Air Force 1 and Air Max 90 — styles unified by gold chain shoelaces and basketball-shaped lace lock charms. The Air Max 90 adds extra glamour with gemstone-embellished Swooshes. The collection, created with artist Victor Solomon, is a black version of the white lineup released for NBA All-Star Weekend.

The bejeweled sneaker story doesn’t end there. Vans has emerged as a leader in the sneaker embellishment realm, with celebrity support of its own. Teyana Taylor is a fan of the skate brand’s buzzy collaborative sneakers with Satoshi Nakamoto, the label founded by Los Angeles designer George Robertson and named for Bitcoin’s mysterious creator. At Coachella’s Neon Carnival in April, the actress laced up the “Pearlized Army” sneakers featuring rhinestones and pearls with an olive green cloth upper. More recently, in early July, she spoke at the Essence Festival of Culture wearing the “Lucky Charms” style, featuring colorful beads and gemstones against black canvas.
Along similar lines, the skate brand released its Pearlized Pack in March, contrasting studded rivets and pearl embellishments with a pre-distressed midsole.

SZA can’t be left out of the bejeweled Vans conversation. The brand’s artistic director debuted custom Vans Authentic 44 Ladybug Garden sneakers created by NYC-based jewelry designer Rachel Goatley at a Louis Vuitton show in January — the shoes featured richly colored gemstones and gold rectangular shoelace tags reading “VANSZA.” The Vans Old Skool was embellished for the collaboration too, with various versions of each silhouette created for SZA to wear throughout fashion week. The “Enchanted Forest,” for example, is based on a low-top Old Skool 36 in Le Marais Forest green and it’s embellished with gemstones including malachite, amethyst, pink sapphire, smoky topaz and opal arranged to resemble purple butterflies, flowers and leaves on the vamp.

Far be it from the luxury fashion houses to eschew a maximalist footwear moment. In contrast to Chanel’s controversial cruise shoe, Gucci offers its GG Crystal Screener sneakers, which Paris Hilton wore during Milan Fashion Week in March. The style features the label’s monogram canvas and multidimensional crystals.
The sparkling embellishment trend is not limited, of course, to just sneakers. Benny Blanco wore custom G.H. Bass loafers featuring ornate crystal embellishment at the Golden Globes in January.

Designers and celebrities alike have made it clear — the footwear world needed a bit more sparkle this year.