Spring has barely begun to show its first signs, yet the fashion world is already looking ahead to next winter. Fashion Week wrapped up just a few days ago, making it the perfect moment to revisit the sneaker styles that stood out on the runways. Over the past few seasons, sneakers seemed to take a back seat as fashion houses leaned toward loafers and more classic footwear. But this season proved that sneakers are still leaving a powerful mark.
Converse on the runway and behind the scenes
For his very first Paris runway show, Catalan designer Javier Guijarro partnered with a major name: Converse. The collaboration reflects the American brand’s commitment to supporting and spotlighting emerging talents from the new fashion scene. Born in 2000, Javier Guijarro belongs to a generation of designers redefining the codes of the classic wardrobe: suits, shirts, loafers, nothing is off limits. After gaining attention during his studies, he launched his eponymous label in 2023. His work sits at the crossroads of tradition and innovation.
For this show, he chose the forest as his starting point, an ambiguous space that lies somewhere between refuge and threat, where identity can unfold freely, far from social conventions.
Within this highly symbolic setting, the sneakers echo that same sense of duality. The designer revisits the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star silhouette, reworking it with unexpected textures and distinctive finishes. Waxed materials, waterproof treatments and utilitarian references resonate with the collection’s outdoor aesthetic. A subtle reinterpretation that demonstrates how a classic can be integrated into a more conceptual fashion language.
By partnering with Javier Guijarro at this pivotal moment in his career, Converse reaffirms its support for the new voices defining fashion today. At the same time, the brand demonstrates that its iconic pieces can continue to evolve with the times. A successful passing of the torch.
Miuccia Prada Revisits the ’90s Archives for Miu Miu
For her part, Miuccia Prada turned to the past to envision the winter ahead. At the Miu Miu Fall/Winter show which brought Paris Fashion Week to a close, the designer revived a signature detail from her archives: the famous bubble technical sole first introduced in 1999.
At the time, this futuristic sole marked a turning point. Unveiled on the eve of the new millennium amid the era’s technological fantasies and the much-feared Y2K bug, it symbolized a new way of thinking about footwear. Sport, fashion and experimentation blended together in hybrid silhouettes.
More than twenty-five years later, the sole makes its return in several forms: sneakers, mules and even boots. The new line moves between a gorp-core aesthetic and a deliberately quirky spirit, with certain designs occasionally recalling the silhouette of the Prada America’s Cup. On the sides, delicate crystal embellishments add a feminine touch, creating an unexpected contrast.
This return to the archives is far from incidental. “Weird shoes”, those deliberately unconventional designs have seen a genuine surge in popularity in recent years, mainly on the second-hand market. By reviving this 1999 design, Miuccia Prada taps into nostalgia while remaining perfectly in step with the moment. And what if this comeback also signals a turning point? Much like the late 1990s, when fashion was projecting itself toward a new millennium, the Fall/Winter 2026 collection seems to hint that another cycle may begin.
Onitsuka Tiger reaches new heights at Milan Fashion Week
Japanese brand Onitsuka Tiger, founded in 1949, unveiled its new collection at Milan Fashion Week under the artistic direction of Italian designer Andrea Pompilio. At the heart of the presentation was the Japanese concept of “Ma”, which refers to the space or time between two things.
Rather than suggesting emptiness or a simple pause, Ma evokes an active breathing space. A suspended moment that gives meaning to what surrounds it.
With this idea as its guiding thread, the brand expresses its ambition to accompany every moment of life, from the most special occasions to the most ordinary everyday routines. This philosophy is particularly reflected in the footwear: sneakers designed with comfort in mind, reimagined in high-top versions such as the iconic Mexico 66, revisited with a boxing-inspired silhouette, featuring reptile prints, one of the year’s standout motifs. A way to move through the city in pieces that are both practical and sharp.
In terms of styling, the silhouettes blend multiple influences: vibrant colors, pastel tones and floral patterns come together in looks that sometimes evoke both adolescence and the elegance of older women. From this unexpected encounter emerges a certain melancholy, like a dialogue between ages and temporalities.
Long a symbol of streetwear, the sneaker now firmly claims its place on the runway, a shoe capable of engaging with fashion’s most conceptual expressions while remaining deeply rooted in everyday life.
