Balenciaga Derby boots – Fashion icon build to last or to fade fast?

Did you know that the Balenciaga Derby boots, the extremely cool cutout boots that are everywhere at the moment, date back to the punky sping 2011 show? That means they are already 3 years old!!!

Nicolas Ghesquière

Balenciaga spring 2011 by Nicolas Ghesquière, photo@style.com

Derby boot

Balenciaga spring 2011 by Nicolas Ghesquière, photo@style.com

 I don’t remember whether they were an instant hit, but I remember that I started seeing them more often at the beginning of 2013 and continue to do so until now. They were everywhere in the streetstyle during February 2014 fashion month and a frequent companion at Coachella 2014.

Balenciaga

Fashion blogger Chiara Ferragni wearing the Balenciaga cutout boots during Milan fashion week 2013, photo@theblodesalad.com

Balenciaga cutout boots

Model Stella Tennant wearing the Balenciaga Derby boots during Paris fashion week March 2014, photo@harpersbazaar.com

The blonde salad

Fashion blogger Chiara Ferragni wearing Balenciaga Derby boots while attending Coachella 2014, photo@wwd.com

So did they really make it and become an icon like a Chanel 2.55? Fact is that the cut-out boot design inspired a lot of other designers form high fashion, affordable luxury as well as mass market. Consequently, the cutout boot design is something built to stay for a long time. Whether the original Balenciaga Derby boot is build to last might be another question. Since fall 2013 Alexander Wang is head of design at the Kering owned Balenciaga. The shoe was designed under his predecessor Nicolas Ghesquière, who showed his debut collection for the LVMH owned Louis Vuitton this March. In an attempt to create a new brand identity for Balenciaga, which sets it apart from Nicolas Ghesquière and the rivaling luxury conglomerate LVMH, the Derby boot is likely to be modified or discontinued.

Do you like the Balenciaga Derby boots? Whats your opinion, do you think it will become a Balenciaga classic or will it be discontinued in the near future?