Balenciaga Paris Fashion Week Show Says Flip-flops Are Here to Stay

Flip-flops have proven to be all the rage lately, from the pool to the street to the runway. It appears the trend is here to stay for spring 2026, at least according to Pierpaolo Piccioli’s debut show for Balenciaga, which was presented during Paris Fashion Week on Saturday.

The thong sandal presented itself in many iterations at the anticipated show, which was attended by FKA Twigs, Meghan Markle and more celebrities. Platforms of different heights and shapes gave the style a hefty, statement look. One standout version included a dramatically angled, up-turned pointed toe and a little divot in the back of the platform. Thick, rounded straps completed the outsized silhouette.

Other shoes featured a simpler base which could still be considered of the platform variety.

In a moment of striking color contrast, satiny white straps with fringe detailing popped against a black sole. Material and color were a big story, with multiple velvety jewel tones coming down the runway, whether applied to the aforementioned dramatic pointed platform or a flatter, rounded-toe style.

The show proved the thong sandal has a place in formal dressing and going-out fashion as it accompanied an appliquéd white column dress, a flouncy violet halter neck dress with a ruffled skirt and many more looks.

While prominently displayed, flip-flops weren’t the only shoes on the Balenciaga runway. Another style was a pointed pump with a sharply angled vamp outline, which was showcased in many colors. And a high-cut shoe with intricate petal-like adornments was among the looks as well.

The spring 2026 collection paid homage to Balenciaga founder Cristóbal Balenciaga. Reviewing the collection for WWD, Miles Socha wrote, “Nods to the founder were many, including T-shirt, white shirt and black leather cape versions of the founder’s famous Darth Vader-esque 1967 wedding ensemble; and numerous balloon dresses and skirts, the most striking in black leather.”

Piccioli took up the mantle of creative director following the exit of Demna, who is now at Gucci.

Below, find additional photos from the Balenciaga spring 2026 show.