Doublet isn’t afraid to get thorny

These days, shoes are fiercely given all sorts of treatments before they hit the shelves, from the all beaten-up to the very soiled to those overgrown with grass to, now, these sporting durian thorns. The renegade Japanese brand Doublet is making waves on the footwear front with cotton canvas shoes that owe their design inspiration to classic Converses, but given a dramatic twist: thorns for the toe box and the midsoles. These could be targeted at durian aficionados, probably willing to fork out substantially to buy kicks as they are the malodorous fruit.

The thorns on the Doublet sneaker are made of rubber, which means that if you accidentally kick someone in a crowded lift somewhere at the ankles, the person won’t be hurt. In fact, those who like to play with their feet might find it enjoyable to fondle the supple spikey bits that have the resistance of the tit of baby’s soother, even if that action would be at odds with the shoes’ punk posturing. Apart from the eye-catching barbed feature, the cream-coloured cotton canvas is distressed and the sneakers are ripped at the seams. Rebelliousness do not look this good often enough.

Doublet spikey canvas sneakers, S$577.98, are available at Club 21 stores. Photo: Doublet