In the ever-surreal world of high fashion, Balenciaga has done it again—or perhaps undone it—with the launch of its new “Zero” shoe. Dubbed a minimalist marvel by the brand and a podiatric puzzle by the public, the Zero has stirred the internet into a frenzy, raising one critical question: Is Balenciaga just trolling us at this point?
Part of the brand’s Fall 2025 collection, the Zero shoe comes with a $450 price tag and an avant-garde ethos that “distills footwear to its essence.” It’s crafted entirely from EVA foam and leaves most of the foot exposed, secured only by a rounded heel and a big toe enclosure. Available in shades of black, tan, white, and brown, it seems more like an ode to human anatomy than a functional shoe.
Balenciaga’s description of the Zero leans into the “barefoot shoe” trend that claims benefits like enhanced balance and heightened proprioception. However, the practicality of strutting down the street in what one online commentator called “a toe cap” remains debatable.
Bro walking around with a toe cap
— A&B Plus Kicks (@A_B_PlusKicks) December 4, 2024
Love it, hate it, or laugh at it?
The Zero shoe has sparked a cacophony of opinions online. Loyal Balenciaga fans see it as bizarre brilliance. Comments like “Whatever this is, I want it” and “My feet hurt looking at them, but I want them!” exemplify the cult following that treasures the brand’s audacious designs.
On the other hand, skeptics aren’t holding back. Observations like “What if you have wide Flintstones feet?” and “They look uncomfortable and will slip off while walking” highlight the practical concerns surrounding the Zero. One user hilariously mused, “They saw Yeezy pods and said, ‘we can make something worse’.”
Balenciaga’s history of quirk
If the Zero feels like a step too far, remember, this is Balenciaga—the brand that turned potato chip bags into clutches, crafted $1,850 “destroyed” sneakers, and even made caution tape couture (as worn by Kim Kardashian at Paris Fashion Week).
Known for its experimental ethos, the brand walks a fine line between artistry and absurdity, often sparking debates about the nature of consumerism and the limits of fashion.
For Balenciaga, designs like the Zero aren’t just about utility—they’re provocations, conversations, and sometimes outright challenges to the concept of luxury. Whether you embrace the Zero as the future of footwear or scoff at it as a prank on the fashion elite, it has undoubtedly achieved its goal: getting everyone to talk about it.
Story continues below this ad
Would you dare to wear the Zero, or is this one design destined to stay on the runway?
