These $4,400 sneakers are new stilettos as Covid accelerates causal trend

Demand for designer shoes last year slid 21 per cent globally compared to a 19 per cent slump for the broader footwear market

On a chilly, gray afternoon, what strikes shoppers in the Jimmy Choo’s store on rue Saint-Honoré in Paris aren’t the Avril stiletto shoes with Swarovski crystals that sell for €3,495 ($4,250) but rather the pair of crystal-encrusted Diamond black sneakers that are €100 more expensive.

The sneaker was launched two years ago, but it’s gained new relevance for a brand normally known for its 10-centimeter-high heels (3.9 inches).

No Cannes film festival, no Met Gala, no nights out, postponed wedding celebrations, and never-ending work-from-home meant the occasions to show off elegant stilettos were rare in 2020 (except if you’re Emily