Visual Editor: Ruben Ramos
Adachi Pimentel, @adachiphoto
It was the Philadelphia-based, New York–born photographer Adachi’s birthday on Afropunk’s first day, which in some ways contributed to her slightly holographic, breezy look. “I think that subconsciously I wanted to start my year off light,” she says. “I wanted to wear light colors and feel light.”
Jamar Robinson, @its_jamar; Lamar Dobbins, @dospapis; and Julian Gonzalez, @jgonzoo
These three teenaged skaters went against the grain a bit by eschewing the festival’s unofficial dress code that tends towards extravagance. As Lamar Dobbins explains, “It’s Afropunk so no one’s really going to judge what you’re wearing. I just put on regular attire, what I wear every day.”
Grace
Grace traveled all the way from the U.K. for the Brooklyn edition of Afropunk, and she described her chic look as “an amalgamation of everything I like,” from some ’70s influences to Afro-inspired makeup, all topped off with a nod to Paris in her red beret. She says that Afropunk’s focus on community is more important now than it has ever been before, as “there’s a wider movement of defiance almost and just not accepting what we’re told is the norm,” acknowledging that the only antidote is, “inclusion in every sense.”
Jeramiah Irwin, @jerairwin
The Jersey City–based designer attended Afropunk for the first time last year, and the festival’s accepting ethos made him come back again this year. “I love festivals in general, but this one to me is so different. Everyone is so friendly. There’s no judgment,” he says. “It’s really true what they say—the no sexism, no homophobia here.” And given the opportunity to fully express himself, Jeremiah chose a denim corset and ripped jeans that were inspired by the pop-country music he’s been listening to. Says Irwin, “I was going to wear a cowboy hat, but I’m saving that for later.”
Step inside the top footwear trends of COTERIE New York Spring/Summer 2025.
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FANCY FOOTWORK
The September edition of COTERIE New York created plenty of excitement thanks in large part to the wonderful collections of SS25. In footwear, there were many standouts to consider, though four trends made the greatest impact — the court sneaker, floral appliqués, elevated flip-flops, and loafer 2.0, all fresh iterations of a classic, and concepts that were highlighted in MMGNET's SS25 Advanced Contemporary and Contemporary Women’s Buyer’s Guides. Read on to learn more about the inspiration behind these trends.
THE COURT SNEAKER
Unsurprisingly, as casual apparel continues to reign, sneakers remain king — and court sneakers are the perfect footwear for the preppy sport aesthetic, as described in MMGNET's SS25 Contemporary Women's Buyer's Guide. For Woden Founder and CEO Les Dawson, the court sneaker offers a stylish, nostalgic journey back to the early aughts. As Dawson explains, “the trend for us is going back to the early 2000s with lower-profile silhouettes which the likes of Miu Miu were developing back then. Styles like the Puma Mostro, Sprint, and Car Driver were all huge with the looser-fitting pants.”
Clockwise from top: voile blanche; j slides; cariuma
Clockwise from top: veja; veja; cariuma
Sneaker by woden
Sneakers by voile blanche
In SS25, flip-flops will reach new heights — literally and figuratively, as they dazzle with heels. These demure, seasonal shoes look more feminine than ever, almost insisting to be worn on a fabulously scenic holiday. Expect elevated flip-flops in confectionary colors too, including eye-catching metallics and soft pastels.
“Consumer behavior has evolved, with a growing focus on quality and attention to detail,” explains Chiara Frigo, founder of Stringart.“Today, when shopping for shoes, consumers are not just looking for functionality, but for an emotion they can wear. Shoes have become the element that can transform and make any outfit unique, expressing personality and style. Consumers want to feel special and are seeking footwear that tells a story, offering an experience, not just an accessory.”
Quality is also key. Harumi Sanchis, art director at Chie Mihara, notes that “there's a wide range of styles within footwear. But ultimately, she is looking for a beautiful pair of shoes that are well made so they don't hurt your feet, that are high quality so they last long, with a sexy touch to boost your confidence, and most importantly, that are so comfortable you can do everything you need to in your hectic schedule.”
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Heeled sandal by dolce vita
Heeled sandal by chie mihara
Sandals by Paloma barcelo
FLORAL APPLIQUES
Floral appliqués are also trending for the season. Chie Mihara used the motif to represent its interpretation of femininity. The brand’s eponymous founder and creative director says, “I played with transparency to create a nude effect on the foot through the use of vinyl, making the lines the protagonists, but also preserving femininity with heels, thin, or rounded toe shapes, and leather flower ornaments. I emphasized carrying a lot of craftsmanship into each design and contrasting it with very wide heels, wide straps, studs, and somewhat more masculine styles and modern lines. I enjoy doing both, because in some way it reflects the daily duality of women.”
For the namesake designer of Paloma Barceló, floral appliqués helped “to capture the essence of spring, where flowers bloom and fill the environment with color and life. What I love most about this trend is its ability to add a touch of romance and freshness to garments. Appliqués not only add texture and dimension, but also allow for unique artistic expression, making each piece feel special and personalized.” Marty Rose, a distributor at All Black explains, “The treatment is being received very well in both high-heel sandals and flat-slide sandals.”
Get ready to present your consumers with these dynamic, exciting footwear trends in SS25 — then source more high quality, fashionable footwear at the next edition of COTERIE New York.
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Looking for more trend content? Discover the SS25 Women's Trends Digital Session. REGISTER TO WATCH
Studio Production Credits:
Producers: Gauge Theory Creative Stylist: SeBASTIAN PATARIC; Photographer: MAriA CHRISTIANSON; Photographer Assistant: eVI MANSON Market Editor: Elise cucchiarelli
Jamar Robinson, @its_jamar; Lamar Dobbins, @dospapis; and Julian Gonzalez, @jgonzoo
These three teenaged skaters went against the grain a bit by eschewing the festival’s unofficial dress code that tends towards extravagance. As Lamar Dobbins explains, “It’s Afropunk so no one’s really going to judge what you’re wearing. I just put on regular attire, what I wear every day.”
From left to right: dolce vita; tony bianco
Heeled sandal by schutz
From left to right: dolce vita; tony bianco; tony bianco; schutz
eLEVATeD FLIP FLOPs
LOAFER 2.0
MMGNET’s SS25 Women’s Advanced Contemporary Buyer’s Guide identified a seasonal emphasis on foundational pieces and timeless essentials. As such, it’s unsurprising that new iterations of the classic loafer are a hot item for SS25. Penny loafers are a core staple of the Cole Haan brand, appearing in their archives since the mid-1970s. For SS25, Cole Haan drafted upon its heritage to reimagine the classic tassel loafer as the Lana Lux Loafer. Offered in an array of rich leathers and neutral shades, the loafer evokes an emotional connection to prep and classic style, as well as offering versatility and craftsmanship — something the Cole Haan consumer is looking for in footwear.
Lluís Gener, export manager of Homers, says, “taking advantage of the moccasin trend in fashion and on the street, we needed an accessory that would differentiate the moccasin from other collections and make it unique. The oversized tassel is the accessory we selected, and we and our customers love it.” Chiara Frigo’s loafers also prioritized originality: “The Stringart loafers are characterized by boho-chic -inspired fringes, adding a touch of freedom and lightness to the design, while the use of advanced fabrics and python leather makes them unique and sophisticated. This blend of traditional and innovative elements reflects a modern woman, confident and style-conscious, who wants to express her character through refined details and premium materials.”
Dawson notes that consumers are becoming much more discerning. He says, “so many are looking for transparency in brands in how they are developed, the DNA, and why they need the product. A mass saturation of products in the market has now got consumers asking why they should part with their cash for the product, which they are now seeing as an investment.” Gener makes a similar observation, explaining, “Our public is becoming more and more demanding, and asks us to be closer to the street, and to fashion. People are increasingly more informed and demand new trends in shoes, but in an original and unique way, which is what we try to offer them.”
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Clockwise from top: gola classics; j slides
Clockwise from top: J Slides; makris; gola classics
Wedge Sandal by melissa shoes
From left to right: marc fisher ltd.; vicenza
Clockwise from top: lola cruz; all black; black suede studio
Sandal by farm rio
Slide by farm rio
Heeled sandal by all black
From left to right: stringart; kallu; bibi lou; bibi lou; stringart
From left to right: patrizia bonfanti; cole haan; cole haan; homers
Loafer by cole haan
Loafer by bibi lou
Loafer by homers
Published October 2024