Flip flops a.k.a. thong sandals – they’re undoubtedly the linchpin of Singapore style. More recently, though, they have been making the rounds on the ongoing Fashion Week circuit. Kanye West, the arbiter of high fashion shock, made a surprising turn during the Burberry Spring/Summer 2023 show in London when he appeared in a pair of black flip flops with crystal-adorned straps. It was an odd choice of footwear for the Yeezy man who is more accustomed to in-your-face shoe styles like those Balenciaga x Crocs stompers.
We now know that the flip flops were part of West’s major fashion flex all along as he was the first person to wear them publicly before the three female models (Looks 68, 69 and 70) did on the runway. Chief creative officer Riccardo Tisci Tisci sent other variations, that included heeled versions and those that come with ankle leashes commonly used in surfing, as part of his ode to the British seaside “as a crux of society, a crucible of humanity”.
The Olsen twins certainly could relate with Tisci, judging from their Spring/Summer 2023 showing for The Row in Paris. While the duo have sealed their reputation as proponents of good taste and impeccable elegance, it was hard to ignore their down-to-earth choice of pairing sophisticated suits and crisp bustier dresses with thong sandals (interestingly, Tisci too opted for this styling technique too at Burberry).
While not much information has been released on these designer flip flops, one can safely assume they are bound to involve some elevated touches when it comes to the materials and design details (The Row is selling its current season’s Ginza calfskin flip flops with rubber soles on its site for US$890). For now, though, the sandals seem to be more of a hit than a flop.
