It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for…

It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for…

      A serene village, bordered by golden poplar trees and majestic mountains in New Zealand's South Island, is the last place you might expect to encounter one of the century's most divisive trends—the Isabel Marant wedge trainers (formally called Bekett sneakers). Yet, it was at a quaint vintage boutique just outside Queenstown where I stumbled upon this style, sought after by Vinted enthusiasts and Made In Chelsea fans, at a price too tempting to ignore. Like a magpie drawn to glitter, I gravitated towards the contentious footwear with the aim of making them mine, despite their stark mismatch with my usual aesthetic. After some hesitation and trying them on, reality hit. This isn't 2011. The fashion icon no longer sports them with a faux fur gilet and leather leggings for a stroll down King’s Road. Although it would have been nice to spend part of my salary on a nostalgic thrill, I recognized that the irony and sentimentality of the purchase would be short-lived. Consequently, I left the store empty-handed, armed only with a regrettable mirror selfie pondering whether buying them “for the plot” was a wise choice and the memory of the experience.

      What Are the Isabel Marant Wedge Trainers? For those unfamiliar or those who missed their initial rise, the Isabel Marant wedge trainers are a distinctive shoe that combines elements of a sneaker and a heel (the original hybrid, if you will). With a concealed three-inch heel, this trending trainer features a bulky high-top silhouette, decorative suede cut-outs along the sides, three velcro straps, and an exaggerated tongue that bulges around the ankle. Known as the Bekett, this style debuted in 2011, solidifying the tomboy bohemian label as a global phenomenon. (Marant later introduced other versions, such as the Bobby shortly after, and the Balskee in 2021, which was launched with an eye-catching marketing campaign featuring South Sudanese-Australian model Adut Akech.) At their launch, Isabel Marant’s design sparked considerable fashion controversy for being so contrary to the industry's norms, which was steeped in aesthetics and beauty. Despite the French designer herself deeming them “super vulgar” in a 2014 interview with The Cut, they became a highly desired item. What were these shoes doing on the feet of the trendiest dressers of the decade, from supermodels like Alessandra Ambrosio to music icons like Beyoncé? (The Grammy-winner even donned them in her "Love On Top" music video.)

      When Did the Isabel Marant Wedge Trainers Become Popular? Naturally, these celebrity endorsements only fueled both the footwear's popularity and its polarizing nature. The deluge of critiques and think pieces about their success, plus sightings of celebrities wearing them, turned them into one of the decade's most coveted silhouettes. Paired with a slouchy and oversized Balenciaga Motorcycle bag, a leather jacket, and skin-tight pants, the Isabel Marant wedge trainers became a staple for a whole generation of fashion enthusiasts. Speaking to Who What Wear UK’s acting deputy editor, Rebecca Rhys-Evans shared her experience witnessing the trend's rise (and decline) unfold. “I was in my late teens and early twenties during the 2010s, the apex of the India Sleaze era,” she recalls. “They weren’t nearly grungy enough for my (admittedly poor) taste!” she admits, noting that while the shoe has garnered raucous and debauched associations now, they were not as fringe or alternative during their heyday.

      “There was a time when, if you had asked me what my least favorite item in recent fashion history was, the Marant Bekett would have been my top answer. But the Y2K revival has made me embrace many relics of this era that I previously disliked (think Juicy Couture tracksuits, capri pants, and cargo trousers… hello!), and I've come to discover a secret yearning for these wedge shoes that once disgusted me.” Even among Who What Wear UK's staff, opinions about the shoes vary significantly. Some firmly reject their existence, while others appreciate how they embody the “millennial cringe” characteristic of their era.

      As a 26-year-old who mainly experienced the tail end of this trend, I believe the wedge trainers add a subversive touch to any outfit. While they might have originally been worn earnestly, today’s iterations convey a sense of irony. The revival of these shoes, viewed through a satirical lens with a knowing smile, has only increased their desirability. I’m not wearing them earnestly, but rather in a Kim Kardashian circa 2012 style, saying “on my Isabel Marant swag today.”

      Are Isabel Marant Wedge Trainers Still in Style? The pressing question is: “Are Isabel Marant wedge trainers still fashionable?” If you asked the designer herself, she'd respond with a definitive yes, especially since she re

It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for… It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for…

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It has been 14 years since the launch of the world’s most controversial shoe style—and now, they are returning for…

It remains just as contentious as always.