I never succumbed to the allure of the Dominique Ansel cronut craze, the frenzied food fad that engulfed New York and spread across the nation a few years back. It’s not that I didn’t think Ansel’s croissant-doughnut hybrid wasn’t delicious. It is/was. It’s simply because I’ve always thought his other pastries – tarts, cannelé, cakes, and various other pastries – are even more deserving of a wait in line. Ansel has since opened numerous outposts across NYC, LA, and London, making it even easier to enjoy his intricate treats. But what a surprise it is to see his latest creation isn’t baked nor intended to be eaten…but to wear.
The Koio x Dominique Ansel sneaker takes the “dad sneakers” silhouette pioneered by Balenciaga’s Demna Gvasalia and applies styling/colors inspired by the four pillars of baking: flour, butter, sugar, and egg.
I wear chef shoes in the kitchen everyday and have always preferred clean minimalist sneakers in my personal styling. When you’re spending most of the day on your feet in the kitchen or traveling around the world, it’s essential to have footwear that is both comfortable and durable. I really wanted the design of this sneaker to not just speak to my style and need for comfort, but also, to tell the story of my craft by mirroring the colors and textures of the four ingredients that are essential in every pastry creation.
-Dominique Ansel, Chef and Owner
The shoe’s upper is a “blend of egg-shell Vitello calf leather, flour white suede, butter patent leather and crystallized sugar detailing on the toe and heel”, an ingredients/materials list referencing the French staple. Our favorite detail: the delightfully tiny copper croissants accenting each criss-cross of butter yellow laces. If you know someone with equal parts interest in baking and fashion, now you know what to get them.
The Koio x Dominique Ansel Avalanche runner is available for purchase online and in Koio’s Soho and Venice locations. Disappointingly, you won’t receive a cronut with a purchase, but every pair does come with an exclusive Dominique Ansel Pancake Mix for some homemade delight without any lines to contend with.