#BalenciagaTripleS
Balenciaga’s Triple S sneaker, launched in Fall 2017, sparked the “ugly sneaker” revolution. Retailing for $850-$995, these chunky, dad-shoe-inspired kicks became the defining footwear of 2018-2019 luxury streetwear.
Design Revolution
Creative director Demna Gvasalia intentionally designed the Triple S to be “ugly”—a subversion of sleek, minimalist sneaker trends. The name referenced its triple-stacked sole combining running, basketball, and track shoe elements.
Cultural Impact
- Luxury streetwear crossover: High fashion embracing ironic normcore aesthetics
- Instagram flex: The oversized silhouette photographed dramatically
- Copycat wave: Fila Disruptor, Nike M2K Tekno, and Adidas Yung-1 followed
- Resale market: Limited colorways sold for $1,200+ in 2018
Peak and Decline
2018-2019 represented peak Triple S mania. By 2020, the trend shifted toward New Balance 550s and retro runners. Balenciaga controversies in 2022 further damaged the brand’s cachet.
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