Trade those minimalist flats for easy-going, elegant footwear that speaks fluent fashion with a Parisian accent.
If you’ve been loyal to your ballet flats all the while like a fashion lifeline, it might be time to let go. This September, there’s a new French wave on the block - the Derby shoe - and it’s tacitly marching its way into closets globally. Don't mistake it for another trend-for-trend’s-sake moment. There’s comfort, there’s narrative, and there’s the admirable masterclass in French finesse, down to every knot.
Let’s break the Derbies down.
(@chvrlesjr/Instagram)
Remember when ballet flats dominated our closets - stylish, pretty, but at times as sturdy as a paper napkin in the rain? After years of foot-tapping around in thin-skinned soles (and the fleeting reign of chunky platform sneakers), fashion’s demure ballerina has ushered in a new chapter with something a bit more artisanal. Here, we are introduced to the slim, nimble Derby: a lace-up shoe with adequate enough polish for the office and just the right edge for weekend soirées.
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Repetto hit the front pages in the 1970s with the “Zizi” jazz shoe long before Instagram influencers branded ballet flats with the #core hashtags. Want to know who is the biggest fan of Derby? - Its Serge Gainsbourg, whose bassline-leveled attitude with a polished lace matched the shoe’s supple leather and low profile. He roamed Paris in those laced-up wonders, underlining the fact that a Derby can be as moody as a verse without a chorus.
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Jacquemus × Repetto reimagined the Zizi as a square-toed Derby in butter-soft calfskin - in their spring/summer 2024 collection. Afterall, even avant-garde labels covet a dash of Studio 54 spirit.
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Lemaire included Derbies into its minimalist edit, complementing them with subtly sculpted trousers for a “didn’t try, still made fashion flinch” vibe.
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At Celine, Michael Rider braided American prep and Parisian poise into his newly launched collection featuring streamlined tailoring, cropped chinos, and Celine lace-ups that cleave the distinction between prep school and post-punk.
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Michael Rider at Celine : Runway models in Derbies
In contrast to the ballet flat’s feather-light sole, a good Derby provides sturdy support. With these hard-wearing leather outsoles, one can go on casual city sidewalk strolls. The softly cushioned insole helps with agility - you can run to the next coffee shop, and you won't feel a tinge of pain on your feet. These modish derbies align perfectly with jeans, dresses, or power suits.
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This September, give your toes a final-blow lace-up by stepping into a Derby, and let your feet do the talking - whether you’re busy working notes at a cafe or strutting in style on the sidewalk.