One word comes immediately to mind when I look at the shoes presented at the Proenza Schouler show this week: Architectural. 

While the shoe uppers vary slightly in cut, and range from patent to metallic fabric and fur, it is really all about the Heel.

Other words that might apply? How about Engineered, Modern and Grounded?  What is interesting is that they have a subtle yet definite edge due to the materials used and constructed appearance of the heel. Yet they are not overly heavy in appearance despite that same visible engineering and materials use.  A nice little feat indeed.

You may have noticed that the one word that I didn’t use was ‘Futuristic’.   I admit that when I see these shoes I immediately think of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner or Fritz Lang’s Metropolis.

However, these films are somewhat less than idyllic visions of the future; the word ‘gritty’ comes to mind. And I think that you’ll agree that these shoes from Proenza Schouler are anything but gritty.