Finding the perfect footwear is no easy feat. What more when searching for a pair that is statement-making yet leaves a lasting footprint.
Fret not, for this season, there is a selection of soles that are not only fabulously bold but also refreshingly original.
First in line is Dior’s heeled sandals, among the standout designs from the Autumn/Winter 2026 collection by creative director Jonathan Anderson.
The whimsical creation feature, on each shoe, a water lily and its pad in full three-dimensional glory.
Said to have been inspired by French artist Claude Monet’s Water Lilies series and the Jardin Des Tuileries park in Paris, the floral footwear is nothing short of wearable art.
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The chunky boots designed by the maison’s first creative director for its men’s line, Jaden Smith, son of Hollywood star Will Smith, make for a sizzling statement.
When it comes to edgy creations, leave it to Balenciaga to push the boundaries.
One of its latest and most striking footwear designs is a pair of black brogues that not only play with traditional perforations but highlight them with dull silver studs.
These are not the spiky kind, but flat-topped, smooth and slightly rounded in shape that lend a subtle, sleek and seriously cool look.
Looking like the kind of shoes you end up with after a long, fruitless search, you know, one that leaves your feet aching, Moschino’s block heels feature a design that makes it seem as though your feet are hastily wrapped in bandages!
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An intentionally raw design, but the effect is attention-grabbing.
Now for something truly elevated and a little daring, check out Dsquared2’s striking soles.
Inspired by ski boots, the towering footwear carries all the bulk and structure of the original, only lifted to about five inches.
What makes them even more unique is that that they sit on a flat, grounded base, with no stiletto support at the back.
From a heritage brand that has drawn mixed reviews since a new artistic director stepped in, Chanel’s latest spin on its classic cap-toe shoes by French-Belgian designer Matthieu Blazy is a modern twist.
The toe, once softly rounded, is now sharpened into an inverted V in white against a black body, finished with a green heel.
It may not sit well with long-time Chanel purists, but the design feels unexpectedly fresh.
A conversation starter, like much of Blazy’s work for the house, deemed a departure too far by staunch loyalists, yet embraced by a new guard eager for a decisive change. Ah, fashion.
