Balmain mocked by fashion fans as Olivier Rousteing reveals first look at shiny new ‘Cloud Shoes’ that make feet look like they’ve ‘had an allergic reaction’

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• READ MORE: Olivier Rousteing, 38, shared the new design on Instagram

Fashion fans have slammed designer Balmain for its new, unusual-looking Clous shoes which have been dubbed as looking like ‘an allergic reaction’.

Olivier Rousteing, 38, who has been creative director of the French fashion house since 2011, shared a video of the new design with his 9.9M followers on Instagram.

However, the footage received a multitude of negative reviews, with one person claiming: ‘It’s like the shoes had an allergic reaction’.

The Cloud Shoes made their debut during the Spring 2024 show at Paris Fashion Week, in the form of patent black, white and gold variations, as well as a crystal-embellished pair.

Olivier has previously been praised for reinventing Balmain and forging a stronger connection between the brand and its younger customers.

A close-up look of Balmain’s Cloud Shoes has been revealed by the brand’s creative director – and it’s sparked a range of reactions from fans

Balmain is renowned for its distinctive and avant-garde designs – and the Cloud Shoes are no exception.

Crafted from glossy leather, the slip-on style features a chunky ‘bubble’ shape that introduces a fresh element to the fashion scene.

And a number of dismayed followers have voiced their opinions on the Instagram post. 

‘Very ugly shoes,’ said one.

‘I’m sorry but that’s very bad. I’m a nurse and folx with really bad pedal edema look like this. Very bad. I love you and think you’re fabulous but no. No honey, no. No please,’ read another comment.

Olivier Rousteing, 38, who has been creative director of the French fashion house since 2011, shared the new design with his 9.9M followers 

The French designer seemed to be thrilled with his Cloud Shoes which feature a chunky slip-on silhouette

‘These look nothing like clouds. They look like the tip of a black condom,’ another Instagram user claimed. 

Someone else penned: ‘These look like the shoes you draw in your pictures before you learn how to draw shoes.’

Meanwhile, several viewers drew comparisons between the Cloud Shoes and Homer Simpson’s favourite footwear.

One, in disbelief, commented: ‘Not Homer Simpson shoes!’, while another simply wrote: ‘Simpson’s feet’.

Olivier Rousteing was adopted at the age of one by his parents. His mother is an optician, while his father holds the role of a seaport manager.

Originally from Somalia and Ethiopia, the designer is incredibly proud of his African roots.

The high-shine shoes were spotted on the menswear Spring 2024 catwalk in Paris last month 

The Cloud Shoes made their debut in several variations during the Paris Fashion Week show

Olivier grew up in Bordeaux and studied at Ecole Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode in Paris – but dropped out during his first year citing lack of creative freedom.

However, that didn’t hinder his career advancement.

Olivier began his career at Roberto Cavalli and was promptly promoted to creative director of the women’s ready-to-wear collection – a role which he served for five years.

The French designer joined Balmain in 2009, working closely with Christophe Decarnin, who was creative director at the time. 

In 2011, at the age of 25, Olivier became creative director of the luxury fashion house.

Although he was relatively unknown, Olivier successfully reinvented the brand, introducing an Asian influence to the clothing.

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