Could Prada's FW23 Runway Sneaker Be the "It" Designer Shoe of the Year?

Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons' Prada Fall/Winter 2023 collection has arrived, and while padded pillow vests and spread collars might be a clothing highlight, the Italian House hasn't forgotten about the footwear department. Welcome to Prada's newest silhouette, an un-named style that was seen during the FW23 runway show in Milan that blends traditions with contemporary aspects throughout.The pair is listed as "Brushed Leather Sneakers With Bike Fabric and Suede Elements" -- quite literal, then. But upon closer inspection, the shoe combines sporty components (per its mesh paneling and sneaker sole unit) with formal undertones, somewhat akin to a derby shoe.Laces are hidden within the shoe's hand-stitched raised rubber bumper that runs around the vamp, while brushed leather and smooth, glossy leather panels work together to build the chunky silhouette. A padded triangle logo is embossed into the tongue, while another padded and branded triangle decks out the rear, with further branded details doubling as the tread on the outsole.The sole unit itself is ultra-lightweight, and is paired with colored accents for extra sporting undertones referencing runners from the 1990s. Likewise, palettes of "Garnet/Peony Pink" with green, or "Vanilla/Anthracite" with green, further enhance these themes.Prada also offers the style in all black or all white, giving prospective customers the choice of something more sneaker-indebted or sartorial-leaning.All four colorways retail for $1,300 USD and they can be bought from Prada's website and boutiques worldwide now.For more new footwear, check out LOEWE's Toy Slipper.Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast