Only a few years ago, the words ‘luxury’ and ‘trainers’ were seldom used together, but nowadays you can’t move for the abundance of high-end sneakers on the market.
Everyone from classic sporting brands to major fashion houses are trying their hand at creating the ultimate premium trainer, turning the athletic shoe into something truly covetable.
Shunning canvas for leather and rubber for suede, it’s now possible to grab your favourite casual silhouette in a whole host of upgraded fabric options, bringing a little touch of luxury to your everyday wardrobe.
If you’re on the hunt for a pair of beautiful and well-made trainers, look no further than the brands showcased below.
Ami
The founder of this Parisian label – Alexandre Mattiussi – earned his stripes at Dior, Givenchy and Marc Jacobs before going it alone, creating a brand that offers cool and colourful casualwear for the modern gent.
Ami’s trainers are no different, turning the humble sneaker into a thing of beauty by combining high-end materials with fun, unmissable designs.
Available at Mr Porter.
Y-3
With a little help from Adidas, Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto started designing under futuristic collaborative label Y-3 over ten years ago, putting a firm focus on innovation through sportswear.
As a result, its trainers are alternative to say the least, with pumped up soles, graphic designs and bold colourways proving popular amongst the most fashion-forward.
Available at Y-3.com.
Valentino
Once known for its incredible womenwear, Valentino has become a firm favourite with men across the globe thanks to its stunning trainers – its now iconic camo designs arguably kick-starting the luxury sneaker trend.
Experimenting with a range of silhouettes, colours and designs, the label’s footwear is always elegant and eye-catching, with plenty of choice regardless of your taste.
Available at Selfridges.
Common Projects
This New York-based label combines classic Italian craftsmanship with contemporary design.
It’s little wonder the brand has gained a cult-like following since launching in 2004, with its pared-back, luxurious silhouettes appealing to men of all ages, backgrounds and wardrobe preferences.
Its signature Achilles Low model is still widely considered the definitive premium low top.
Available at END Clothing.
Buttero
When Mauro Sani founded this label back in 1974, his aim was to create the best riding boots in the world.
Clearly, the Italian brand has evolved since the seventies, now turning out beautiful, heritage-feel footwear for the more refined dresser.
The essence of Tuscany flows through everything Buttero does, with its leather trainers handcrafted on home turf and coming in a range of deep, rich shades.
Available at END Clothing.
Filling Pieces
Hailing from Amsterdam, this luxury trainer label bridges the gap between streetwear and high fashion with ease thanks to its slick contemporary designs.
Simple silhouettes, premium fabrics and strong colourways all lend themselves to its effortless aesthetic, with each pair handmade in Portugal using the best fabrics from Italy, and sold to Amsterdam’s coolest style mavens.
Available at END Clothing.
Saint Laurent
Hedi Slimane’s modern-day revamp of Saint Laurent didn’t just include dropping the ‘Yves’, but also saw the classic French label take a more urban direction.
Along with comparatively casual clothing, the brand really upped its trainer game, producing a range of unashamedly bold shoes for sportswear and luxury fashion fans alike. Expect conspicuous prints, pared-back designs and everything in-between.
Available at YSL.com.
Rick Owens
Grunge-fuelled rebellion is perhaps the best way to capture Rick Owens’ infamous all-black aesthetic, with the designer an expert at transforming even the most casual of pieces into something luxurious and directional.
Owens’ footwear follows suit, with unconventional off-kilter designs appealing to the braver dressers amongst us – chunky split soles, extended tongues and calf hair uppers can all be found in the brand’s alternative offering.
Available at rickowens.eu.
Maison Margiela
Also pushing the boundaries of trainer design is French fashion house Maison Margiela, currently headed by John Galliano.
Blending futuristic and retro design features, its trainers have a truly inimitable edge – think tennis shoes with paint splatters and snakeskin-effect dotted rubber sneakers – garnering them a hardcore fashion following like no other.
Available at Mr Porter.
Lanvin
Parisian label Lanvin has been enchanting fashion fans for decades with its chic collections, and its trainer offering is no different.
Simple suede and leather options are set off with contrast colour-blocks and hi-shine effects, creating one seriously sophisticated shoe line.
Available at Mr Porter.
Tom Ford
When iconic American designer Tom Ford announced he was venturing into trainers (sorry, ‘tennis shoes’) last year, the fashion world rejoiced.
As expected, his designs are gentlemanly and classic, yet unstuffy, bringing a range of rich fabric options to streamlined silhouettes.
However, maintaining his focus on exclusivity, Tom Ford’s coveted trainers are only available to buy in his dedicated boutiques – bad luck, online shoppers.
Browse Tom Ford footwear at tomford.com.
