Has Prada taken flatness to the extreme?

By Shu Xie

When I saw these Prada kicks, I thought of the Indian breakfast puri immediately. These Collapse Re-Nylon sneakers looked like the puffed deep-fried bread after it is allowed to deflate. I am not saying that is a bad thing. But after being used to many of Prada’s clearly Shibuya toast of offerings, I am not sure how to respond to their new kicks. To be sure, they are not without their charm. The first thing that comes to my mind was how packable they are, like those bendable Chanel ballet pumps. I would not bend these from Prada, but because they have a ‘collapsible’ upper, they can be flattened, and, therefore, take up relatively little space in a suitcase or a weekender, which means it is really easy to pack an extra pair of kicks, no matter how long the trip.

Another appeal of the Collapse Re-Nylon sneaker, available in at least six colours, is their lightness. The upper is suede and the said nylon, a combination that lends it a vintage-y vibe (a full-leather version is available, but I do find it a tad too dressy, which defeats the purpose of a shoe so squeezably casual). This sits on a truly thin, five-millimetre sole without any fancy tech cushioning: truly pancake thin. The lace stays hold cotton laces, but these have minimal use as the shoe is elasticised on the sides of the collar, making them very easy to put on. There is an undeniable slip-on ease about the shoes, sort of like ballet pumps, except these, to me, look for much more relaxed that the sneakerinas now seen almost everywhere. I might even use them as bedroom slippers or cabin shoes. That’s really how comfortable they are.

Prada Collapse Re-Nylon and suede elasticized sneakers for men and women, SGD 1,460, are available at Prada stores and online. Photo: Jim Sim