Shoes are small-scale architectural and fanciful works of art, and for AW16, designers have fully indulged in this with opulent, princess-worthy shoes dripping in fur and jewel embellishments. There’s something deeply exuberant about a furry shoe: they add an element of unexpected, full-on sumptuousness – a concentrated dose of high-spirited extravagance (and the perfect excuse to take cabs everywhere).
Gucci’s blockbuster fur-lined slippers are still going strong, and elsewhere, fox-toed platforms appeared at Sonia Rykiel while Salvatore Ferragamo used sky blue mink on T-straps and Dolce & Gabbana trimmed their glittery block heels with neon pink mink. From vertiginous heels to amped-up trainers, they’re the perfect shoes to put your best foot forward in for the festive season ahead or adding whimsical glamour to daytime looks.
Princess party feet
For the ultimate on-trend Christmas party trick, punctuate evening looks with mink and fox-trimmed statement heels. The kitten heel is firmly back on the fashion map, and at Balenciaga, it comes in spray-painted jacquard with a neat mink bar trim. On strappy evening shoes, fur adds sensual textural contrast, like Gianvito Rossi’s suede crossover pair with an orange and burgundy mink toe strap, Aquazzura’s mink pom-pom block heels (Rihanna is a fan) or Loeffler Randall’s striped rainbow fox ankle-wrap beauties. For practicality, many have clip-on fur, like Jimmy Choo’s gorgeous royal purple suede pumps with fox pom-poms.
Souped-up sneakers
Perhaps it’s the Phoebe Philo effect, but ever since the Céline designer started championing the Adidas Stan Smith, fashion has been in the grips of sneaker fever. And now, sneaker freaks have taken the shoe to the next level: furry trainers. Joshua Sanders sets off his white, clean-lined version with oversize baby pink and white fox while Mr & Mrs Italy’s low-tops come covered in dyed green and black leopard print mink all over. Fendi are of course at the top of their game with furry trainers as well: here, print sneakers come with detachable bubblegum pink mink sprouting a silvery blue fox Mohawk. Wear with cropped jeans or trousers for maximum effect.
Furry creatures of comfort
Fur flats have become something of favourite with the street-style crowd, who love the hyper-luxurious yet casual cool air of a mink-lined slipper or ultra-soft slider. Right now, Givenchy’s fuchsia mink sliders hit all the right notes while Natasha Zinko has elevated the fifties baby blue granny house slipper to cult fashion status with a pair in the softest dyed mink. If you want something a little more formal, Fendi is your go-to choice: a pair of sling-back fur pom-pom ballerinas, fully lined in power pink striped mink. Utter bliss.
Shop the fur shoes:
Sonia Rykiel’s fox-toed platforms
Dolce & Gabbana’s block heels with mink
Mink trimmed jacquard pumps by Balenciaga
Gianvito Rossi’s mink toe strap
Aquazzura’s mink pom-pom block heels
Loeffler Randall’s striped rainbow fox ankel-warp sandal
Suede pumps with fox pom-pons by Jimmy Choo
Fox pompom trainers by Joshua Sanders
Mr & Mrs Italy’s low-top mink-trimmed sneakers
Fendi’s with mink and fox sneakers
Givenchy’s fuchsia mink sliders
Baby blue granny house slipper by Natasha Zinko
Fendi’s ballet flats in mink