Having Mastered Flat Shoes, Miu Miu Goes HOKA
In a major move away from the slender sneaker shape it helped popularize, Miu Miu has quietly released a chunky shoe that bears striking resemblance to HOKA's extra-thicc running sneakers. Because, when everyone is already following your lead, it's time to do a 180.
In its pursuit of slimming down footwear, Miu Miu has created suave sneakers that evolve the low-profile design language of famously flat shoes like the adidas Samba and Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66. It also collaborated with New Balance on red-hot super-flat leather dad shoes that effectively changed the entire footwear market.
And now, Miu Miu's gone HOKA. Who could've guessed?
To be clear, Miu Miu’s surprisingly thick Technical Fabric sneakers, available through Miu Miu's website, are not a collaboration with HOKA.
But they do seem something of an homage.
Miu Miu's chunkish sneakers, priced at $800 and available in three neutral colorways of all-white, gray, or green with gum-sole detailing, also costs about five times more than its supposed muse. But, then again, this is luxury. HOKA is utility.
Known for their ultra-cushioned soles and lightweight uppers, HOKA running sneakers are an elderly favorite that've spilled over into broader shoe culture.
Copied aplenty by industry peers like Saucony, adidas, New Balance and Costco(?!), HOKA's no stranger to influencing, if you will. There's a reason that Nike, seeking redemption, attempted to ape the HOKA approach.
HOKA's hardly a stranger to capital-f "Fashion," so a true Miu Miu HOKA is hardly out of the question. But the Prada-owned imprint's take on the beefy runner is a nice enough standalone, albeit maybe a touch less functionally aggro than HOKA's typically high-spec trail shoes (all the better to flatter Miu Miu's signature prep styling).
Imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery, eh?
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