Highsnobiety
Double Tap to Zoom

If Sambas and Speedcats have taught us anything at all, then it's that slender sneakers have long set up camp to live rent free in everyone's head; Miu Miu's, Nike's and Dries Van Noten's included.

However, it's a particular sub-species of slim shoe that's got those heads properly spinning: Up and down the price barometer, everyone from Yohji at Y-3 to Bad Bunny at adidas to Jonathan Anderson at LOEWE has been taking cues from ballet dancers.

Ballet-inspired shoes? "Hold my drink," said GANNI, and handed in what may just be a new favorite submission.

Akin to its contemporaries, GANNI's attempt goes for a snug silhouette, leaving very little to obscure the natural shape of the foot.

Unlike the rest, this half-open style stands as a more literal take on the trend, though its laces lend it a more sporty, casual quality. Swan Lake with a pinch of sneakerhead.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

For the Danish brand to have captured momentum here should come as no surprise.

Their viral buckle sling backs and New Balance collabs positioned them at the forefront of what balletcore, babygirls, and a Mary Jane craze have long foreshadowed would be a broader streetwear-ification of ballerinas.

Rest assured, Sandy Liang's Salomons, Simone Rocha's Crocs, and Kiko Kostadinov's ASICS walked so some of these others could run.

But so, as for GANNI's part in the movement, the white and black versions of their sneaker-like ballerina hybrid are readily available, yet an upcoming site-exclusive drop is soon to add studded denim, leopard print, weathered brown, and glossy red variants to the family.

Now Nutcracker away, I say.

We Recommend
  • Converse's Insanely Rugged Dad Shoe Shouldn't Look This Good
    • Sneakers
  • PUMA's Hottest Sneaker of 2024? It Just Went Full Balletcore for 2025
    • Sneakers
  • Designers Have Declared Umbrella, -Ella, -Ellas a Thing of the Past
    • Style
  • Nike's Latest Beautifully Beefy Running Shoe Will Only Cost You $65
    • Sneakers
  • Ganni's Next New Balance Sneaker? A Super Chunky (& Shiny) Running Shoe
    • Sneakers
What To Read Next
  • Nike's Fine (& Now Furry) Skate Shoe Unleashes the Beast
    • Sneakers
  • This Crazy Watch Is a Turntable for the Wrist
    • Watches
  • POST ARCHIVE FACTION, On & the Quest for Post-Athleisure Fashion (EXCLUSIVE)
    • Style
  • How a 12-Year-Old A$AP Rocky Song Reawakened a Parisian Luxury Label
    • Style
  • Moncler Perfected Luxury Outerwear. With Leica, It Perfects Luxury Cameras (EXCLUSIVE)
    • Style
  • Baseball GOAT Shohei Ohtani Takes on New Balance’s Dad Shoe GOAT
    • Sneakers