May 12, 2021: Post-pandemic fashion is not so quietly making its way to the forefront of the conversation. As coronavirus vaccines roll out and we all slowly but surely start to transition out of slippers and loungewear and into our finest confidence-boosting apparel, we’re on the hunt for the next viral secondhand fashion piece to add to our closets. That said, allow us to introduce our candidate for 2021’s must-have archive piece: Marc Jacobs’ Platform Boots, which GRAZIA’s been seeing all over social media lately, worn by Bella Hadid, Dua Lipa, and Taylor Swift, among others.
The statement footwear first appeared in the designer’s unforgettable Fall 2016 runway show that closed out New York Fashion Week on February 18. Fashion aficionados likely recall Lady Gaga and Kendall Jenner strutting down the runway rocking buckled versions of the footwear. Despite the fact that they donned sky-high shoes, they (along with the other models who debuted the boots) seemingly remained cool, calm, and collected. The reality star later posted about the experience to her blog, deeming them the “scariest shoes,” which “were NOT made for walking.”
Just months after the boot’s debut, Taylor Swift wore them in Vogue’s May issue, teaming them with a sequined dress from the designer. This was one of their first of many monumental media moments that cemented the footwear as an iconic part of fashion history, similar to the likes of Dior saddlebags and Vivienne Westwood’s corsets. Like Jacobs’ platform boots, these special accessories sold out following their debuts and prompted reissued styles.
For Jacobs’ Spring 2017 show, held on September 15, 2016, Jacobs sent metallic styles of the platform boots down the runway, making headlines once again for their fabulously frightening design. Taking cues from Swift, all four stars of HBO’s Girls cast wore them for their Glamour’s February 2017 cover shoot. Naturally, the boots sold out instantly when they launched that same month—proving their worth as a must-have piece from the designer.
In March of 2020, Bella Hadid wore a purple pair of the designer’s Purple Kiki Platform Buckle Boots while modeling Jacobs’ polysexual Heaven line, seen initially on the FW 2016 runway. Most recently (on May 6, to be exact), the supermodel shared yet another pic from that retro-inspired photo shoot, inspiring a flurry of comments from her 41 million Instagram followers. She teamed the footwear with a yellow nylon shoulder bag and a black off-the-shoulder mini dress.
Besides support from celebrities like Hadid, the key to an *It* archive piece is support from the designer. He’s regularly worn the platform boots throughout the last year (during the COVID-19 quarantine, no less!), proving them to be favorites in his shoe collection. Following widespread editorial coverage of his glamorous personal style, plus sellout launches of Heaven’s first collection and Perfect perfume, Jacobs has been on a hot streak in recent months—and we’re eagerly awaiting whatever he creates next. Hopefully, he drops some more platform boots, so that we can scoop them up before they sell out.
Finally, when times get tough, heels get higher. A prime example was the Great Recession when sky-high styles like Christian Louboutin’s Daffodile pumps, Yves Saint Laurent’s Tribute sandals, and Alexander McQueen’s Armadillo boots were all the rage. Their rise came from a need for flair and empowerment to combat the world’s overwhelming nature. Similarly, while Jacobs’ boots soared in the first months of the Trump administration, their return to the spotlight comes amid a worldwide global pandemic. Not only would a resurgence be a sign of the times, but also a welcome return to nostalgia—which we could all use right now.
shop the style (while you still can)
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