‘They look like trash bags’
The world’s “most controversial” shoes are blowing up online — much to the dismay of freaked out fashion fiends.
“I am SO ashamed to be a human,” cried a critic, responding to the newly resurrected Inflatable Porterville Boots via outré designer Rick Owens.
With a mind-blowing price tag reported at $5,000, the avant-garde footwear, which Owens debuted in his fall 2024/winter 2025 collection with artist Straytukay, looks like little latex clouds that encompass each leg from the thigh to the foot.
The boots feature a wedge heel of almost five inches. However, due to the platform design of the wedge, the actual rise of the heel is reportedly only two inches.
For their funky balloon effect, wannabe look-at-me’s can huff, puff and blow the boots up themselves, according to viral vids of clotheshorses filling the shoes in Big Bad Wolf-style. But the bubbling hot commodities do come with an air-pumping device.
The primary purpose of the peculiar pair is reportedly “for display or for use in special occasions and they are not suitable for everyday.” The boots are not currently available for purchase on the fashion house’s site.
But that’s not stopping haute hedonist’s from getting their paws on the odd-looking jobs.
“I’ve been waiting an eternity for this,” gushed fashion influencer Kristy Sarah while modeling the swelled soles for her more than 16 million TikTok fans.
“These are amazing,” she gushed. “I’m in love.”
But unfortunately, unimpressed naysayers failed to share Sarah’s affinity for the finery.
“I’m sorry, but absolutely not!” carped a commenter
“I have some black trash bags …. I can make them cheap,” another joked.
“What is happening on this planet?!,” questioned a sickened spectator.
“This is proof that people will buy anything that’s trending,” an equally unenthused onlooker.
The virtual pitchforks and torches being raised in protest of Owens’ otherworldly offerings echo the disgust outraged fashionistas expressed over Loewe’s Cosmic Ballon Pumps.
The $1,850 heels, which premiered in 2023 and came decked out in ruffled latex balloons, sparked a social media firestorm of shade from folks who likened their ill-received look to household cleaning implements.
“I need those to mop the floors as I walk the catwalk,” spat a cynic. “My mom used to dust with something like that.”
