This Designer Was 100 Percent Serious When He Sent Crocs Down the Runway

Updated on Oct 10, 2016 at 8:30 AM

courtesy of Christopher Kane

If you were wondering if the fashion world would buck the comfortable shoe trend that's now ruled for seasons, the answer is a pretty resounding no. Sneakers and flats are commonplace, but Christopher Kane just surprised the whole style world when he sent a jeweled capsule collection of Crocs down his Spring '17 runway at London Fashion Week, without an ounce of irony. In a press release about the shoes, the designer said:

"I always work with unexpected items and combinations, transforming the everyday into desirable luxury. I wanted to bring my own stamp and DNA to Crocs' classic clog shoe and achieve something really special. The marble print feels very earthy and I often think of Crocs in a very grounded way, worn with either an evening dress or with jeans, and adding the rock crystals brings a bit of luxury to this everyday style. Crocs are arguably the most comfortable shoe, I love that they are slightly awkward and might be perceived by some as 'ugly'. They have a very naïve and childlike shape which I especially like when they look extra clunky on the foot."

Unexpected, certainly; but Kane is totally serious about introducing Crocs (the same brand beloved by Mario Batali, and maybe your dad), to his fashion-conscious customers. He boldly styled them with evening dresses, and studded them with crystals — a hopeful attempt to give them trendsetting appeal. We're no strangers to the "ugly" shoe phenomenon. After all, we've embraced Tevas, Birkenstocks, UGGs, and Gucci's hairy slippers, but are Crocs really next? Is this the comfortable shoe of fashion's future? Read on and weigh in.