When it comes down to the shoes of Spring 2022, sophisticated craftsmanship seems to be finally stepping back into the spotlight. In keeping with the season’s return to in-person shows and physical presence, an especially strong focus on material seemed to pervade the runways; in particular, we saw a lot of focus on texture and transparency.
The commitment to artisanship was perhaps most fully embodied by Chloé, where new creative director Gabriela Hearst executed a gorgeous, sophisticated, and meticulously crafted approach that ranged from head to toe.
But while we are seeing a return to artisanship, few designers seem interested in staying too grounded in the past – and as a result, we’ve been treated to many visionary, contemporary pieces that update and experiment on recognizable historical codes. Dior and Courrèges, for example, both looked to their respective house histories of the ’60s and created strong era-inspired shoes with a futuristic twist.
Yang Li made a very strong debut as the new creative director of Shang Xia, a collection that was buoyed up in no small part by his brilliant bubble shoes.
Chunky soles still don’t seem to be going anywhere, and we saw some exciting explorations of the style that both embraced and subverted trends from Acne Studios, Givenchy, Rick Owens, and more.
Here are the best shoes of the Spring 2022 season as selected by The Impression.
Balenciaga Balenciaga Balenciaga Acne Studios Acne Studios Acne Studios Az Factor Az Factor Az Factor Chanel Chanel Chanel Chanel Chanel Collina Strada Collina Strada Collina Strada Collina Strada Collina Strada Etro Etro Courrèges Courrèges Courrèges Dior Dior Dior Dior Dior Dior Dior Dior Giambattista Valli Fashion East Fashion East Fendi By Versace Fendi By Versace Fendi Fendi Fendi Fendi Fendi Givenchy Givenchy Givenchy Givenchy Givenchy Givenchy Kim Shui Kim Shui Hui Hui Koche Koche Lacoste Lacoste Lacoste Lanvin Lanvin Lanvin Lanvin Lanvin MSGM Loewe Loewe Loewe Loewe Loewe Loewe Loewe Loewe Loewe Marni Marni Marni Marni Marni Marni Miu Miu Miu Miu Miu Miu Miu Miu Miu Miu Miu Miu Ottolinger Ottolinger Ottolinger Ottolinger Ottolinger Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini Puppets And Puppets Puppets And Puppets Puppets And Puppets Richard Quinn Richard Quinn Richard Quinn Rick Owens Rick Owens Rick Owens Roberto Cavalli Roberto Cavalli Roberto Cavalli Shang Xia Shang Xia Shang Xia Simone Rocha Simone Rocha Simone Rocha Simone Rocha Simone Rocha Simone Rocha Simone Rocha Simone Rocha Simone Rocha Stella McCartney Stella McCartney Stella McCartney Stella McCartney Stella McCartney Stella McCartney Sunnei Sunnei Sunnei Sunnei Sunnei Threeasfour Threeasfour Threeasfour Threeasfour Versace Versace Versace Versace Versace Vivienne Westwood Vivienne Westwood Vivienne Westwood Vivienne Westwood Vivienne Westwood Vivienne Westwood Vivienne Westwood Yuhan Wang Yuhan Wang Yuhan Wang Maison Margiela Maison Margiela Maison Margiela Maison Margiela Maison Margiela
Chanel Chanel
Loewe Loewe Loewe
Loewe Loewe Loewe Tod’s Tod’s Tod’s
Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton Prada Prada Prada
Valentino Valentino Valentino Valentino Valentino Valentino Enfants Riches Deprimes Enfants Riches Deprimes Enfants Riches Deprimes Yohji Yamamoto Yohji Yamamoto Yohji Yamamoto Yohji Yamamoto Yohji Yamamoto Yohji Yamamoto Chloè Chloè Chloè Chloè Chloè Chloè Isabel Marant Isabel Marant Isabel Marant Saint Laurent Saint Laurent Saint Laurent Victoria/Tomas Victoria/Tomas Victoria/Tomas Kenneth Ize Kenneth Ize Kenneth Ize Salvatore Ferragamo Salvatore Ferragamo Salvatore Ferragamo Shi.rt Shi.rt Tod’s Tod’s Tod’s Tod’s Balmain Balmain Balmain Act N°1 Act N°1 Act N°1 Emporio Armani Emporio Armani Emporio Armani Blumarine Blumarine Blumarine MM6 Maison Margiela MM6 Maison Margiela MM6 Maison Margiela Jil Sander Jil Sander Jil Sander Alberta Ferretti Alberta Ferretti Paul & Joe Paul & Joe Paul & Joe Paul & Joe Eftychia Eftychia KNWLS KNWLS KNWLS KNWLS Bora Aksu Bora Aksu Tory Burch Altuzarra Altuzarra Altuzarra Jonathan Simkhai Jonathan Simkhai Jonathan Simkhai Coach Dundas X Revolve Dundas X Revolve Gabriela Hearst Gabriela Hearst Gabriela Hearst Prabal Gurung Prabal Gurung Prabal Gurung
Hermès Jil Sander Max Mara Joy Meribe Joy Meribe Richard Malone X Mulberry Moschino Moschino Moschino
Givenchy Givenchy Givenchy Givenchy Givenchy Givenchy