Twenty years later: the Hermes tan trainer
Ten years ago I would have been all over the Sacai x Nike trainer collab (a kind of double-everything monster trainer with a retro vibe). Today? Not so much. I’m well over super-statement trainers and prefer a Nike Air Max shape or a utilitarian gym shoe like a Converse Jack Purcell. (Currently seeking a JP in white – why so elusive, Converse?)
However, I’m feeling the return of the luxe tan trainer, an understated gender-neutral number that kicks the post-ironic, hypebeast trainer roundly in the butt. Do you remember when Hermès did its first trainer? It was in 1998 and part of Martin Margiela’s first collection for the house. A rich conker brown affair, Hermès was the first luxury brand to design a trainer made entirely of leather and thus the ‘Quick’ caused quite the stir. Considered the kind of stealth wealth trainer an off-duty art dealer might wear, stylistically it contrasted with the Maharishi combats and Nike Air Rift fashion of the time.
Next, followed a slew of lookalikes. This all came back to me when I clocked the new Hermès ss19 men’s trainers at one of their press days (below – why do men get all the best trainers?) The old school running shoe shape has been updated with a chunky white sole, a nod to the millennial ugly trainer obsession without fully indulging it. I’m definitely getting Lucy Williams street style vibes from these; I’m thinking they could be the perfect summer trainer worn with cropped denim Re/Dones and a tan…
WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Vogue Runway, unknown, Vogue Runway, Disneyrollergirl
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15 January, 2019 @ 12:43 pm
Grenson has a beautiful cognac trainer that I just purchased. The leather looks more like the original Hermes – very rich.
16 January, 2019 @ 9:38 am
Ah I like Grenson. I’ll have a look – thanks Kathy!
15 January, 2019 @ 5:58 pm
I remember I searched and bought Santoni trainers around that time. I still prefer discreet leather one.
16 January, 2019 @ 7:50 pm
I remember Camper doing something similar and then the floodgates opened!