By Sofia Lamdichi | September 16, 2024
How can something that collects countless germs, debris and sometimes a piece of toilet paper be considered a beautiful piece of art? Most people don't give much thought to a pair of shoes, but those who take an extra moment to appreciate them are the ones recognized for their artistic vision. There are no rules when it comes to footwear, especially not in fashion.
Sneakers, boots, slippers, ballet flats, stiletto heels and skate shoes all have one thing in common: they only go on your feet. But when they are exceptional, the object engulfing our feet is more than an object. It becomes a symbol. All over the University at Albany’s campus these symbols can be studied.
Walking around campus these unique fashion symbols stood out…
Photo Credit: Sofia Lamdichi / The ASP
Metallic, trendy, comfortable, efficient and unique all describe the picture above. The Adidas Sambas are a well known trend. Despite them being trendy, it isn’t common for someone to be wearing them in this color. Bright, eye-catching colors are all the rage in summer fashion, but these shoes raise the question: why aren't bold, exciting colors used year-round? With every step, these sparkling shoes may inspire someone to reach out of their comfort zone of neutral colors and make a statement with a bright or metallic color.
Photo Credit: Sofia Lamdichi / The ASP
Bright colors are not needed for these Steve Madden boots to stand out in a crowd. The recognizable boot buckles and attitude bring people back to the 90s grunge aesthetic. The perfectly distressed boots make every outfit look effortless and well constructed at the same time. In addition, the buckles wrapped around the boot add dimension, which is why they end up being the first thing onlookers' eyes land on. Just like one can never be overdressed, one can never have too many buckles.
Photo Credit: Sofia Lamdichi / The ASP
Breath-taking is one of the few adjectives used to describe these unique boots worn on campus. The angelic white paired with the delicious-looking sprinkles and sparkles prove that fashion is an art, and style is a passion. Not everyone can zip up a pair of these boots and pull them off; it takes a specific type of fire within to allow out of the box thinking while curating an outfit.
Photo Credit: Isaac John / The ASP
Many students' footwear choices are influenced by trends originating from one of the world's major fashion capitals and the home of many UAlbany students: New York City. The New York City fashion influence is embedded throughout the entire UAlbany campus. These Air Jordan 11’s in Retro Cool Gray may be a neutral color, but they stand out amongst the other sneakers many may be accustomed to seeing. They provide a comfortable feel yet a very structured look. The special webbing design of the laces and the durable patent leather make this shoe not only great quality but also of great value.
Without the people who spend their days curating the next trends, the world would be completely lost. Fashion is embedded in every aspect of life. When babies enter the world they are draped and given a hat chosen especially for them. It’s only natural that for some, the moment a newborn's first accessory is placed on their tiny head, it sparks a lifelong love of fashion that never fades.