Golden Goose, Italian shoe brand, has been blasted on social media for selling a pair of $530 sneakers that are described as "crumply, hold-it-all-together tape details a distressed leather sneaker in a retro low profile with a signature sidewall star and a grungy rubber cupsole."
The sneakers, which were being sold on Norstrom.com, have apparently sold out after social media users accused the company of trivializing poverty. One Twitter user wrote, “There are people in the world wearing plastic bags as shoes because they can’t afford any but these HIDEOUS things are selling for $500.”
The brand may have taken one of their concepts, which is to present worn-looking sneakers, too far. The trend, however, is not unique to Golden Goose. Balenciaga was recently criticized for selling a layered coat, which retailed for $9,000, that seemed to be inspired by the layers of clothes worn by homeless people to stay warm.
After Worokya Duncan wrote directly to Nordstrom on Twitter, saying the shoes were "awful" and "insensitive," and asking, "Who’s in the room when you design these?"
Nordstrom answered, "We appreciate your feedback. We’re always looking to bring in new, different, and unique products. We realize taste is subjective and not every customer will like every product we carry. Rest assured your comments were shared with our teams. Thank you."
It does seem ironic that after years of shelling out hundreds of dollars for ripped and distressed designer jeans, we are just now offended by clothing that appears worn or damaged. If you search “distressed” on Nordstrom.com, you will find Alchemist Easy Rider Western Jogger Pants that list for $995 and basically look like your average grey sweats with holes. Also, if you look up “ripped” on the site, you will see Saint Laurent 'Dirty 50s' Destroyed Skinny Jeans for $890.
Not to be outdone, Barneys sells Amiri Destroyed Crystal-Patch Jeans for $1,770 and a Ben Taverniti Unravel Project Cotton-Cashmere Crop Sweater for $1,100 that is literally unraveling. So perhaps, Nordstrom is right to say that “taste is subjective.”
Golden Goose Deluxe Brand was founded in 2000 by Francesca Rinaldo and Alessandro Gallo, two Venetian designers, who considered themselves fashion outsiders. The company distinguished itself by creating innovative yet crafted products, which were placed in shops that shared the brand's philosophy.
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The brand prides itself on combining a sophisticated and modern style with a vintage feel, as well as a West Coast skater aesthetic. The brand has flagship stores in New York, Paris, London, Milan, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Beirut, St. Tropez, Amsterdam. Golden Goose has an intensely loyal following that includes actors Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law and Louis Vuitton designer Virgil Abloh.
