I’ve seen it , and you probably have too, ” Architectural Balenciaga FW 2010 Shoes”. Yeah, not convinced, I honestly I wasn’t convinced when I first saw the collection, there was a bit of a disconnect. Nicolas Ghesquière’s part was, as always, outstanding, the shoes were fantastic in their own right, but not completely cohesive. After further reading (because I could never get past the title before) Pierre Hardy did the shoes to coincide with the looks. Alright makes a bit more sense, but it’s the “architectural” bit I really have a problem with. Every design blog I’ve come across has covered the shoes, most doting the term ‘architectural’ within its title. Like I said, I’m not compelled to describe them as either deserving or worthy of the term ‘architectural’. At best they remind more of furniture or interior design touches and finishes. They aren’t defining any new space in an innovative way and the structure of the shoe is rather typical, besides the block heel. They are, however, making use of the collaged materials to a great extent, but I don’t think it necessarily the material defining the shoe, just an application upon it. What I can point out is that the platform which is composed of plastics and molded to the base of the foot does accomplish a sort of plinth, but recently nearly every shoe has a sort of platform. Perhaps if the whole of the shoe was made of the barrage of materials and the loafer/ brogue/ leather bit was left out, then maybe it would conceive a whole new form, unique and, dare I say  almost ‘architectural’. Out of the lot of them, the most persuading were probably the ones with wooden front shields.

Don’t you think it takes a bit more for something to be considered or compared to ‘architecture’? Architecture isn’t like all other art mediums, it necessitates professionalism, expertise and years of schooled training to accomplish. I think too many people call themselves artists these days, I think just about everyone thinks of themselves as one lately, and I suppose it makes sense because it is in our human nature to create. But art doesn’t have the boundaries and rules that the discipline of architecture does have. Honestly, i think we all get a bit over excited when the mediums of architecture and fashion appear to intermingle, I know I do, that’s what  I’m passionate about. But why don’t we see more of it? From what I’ve found from extensive research, it’s designers with a background in architecture that accomplish it best, and sadly (except the rare exception) not vice versa…

Photos Via: Style.com