Golden Goose, a shoe brand that has become quite controversial in recent years, is known for breaking the status quo and designing faux-distressed shoes. A new pair of Golden Goose arrives to customers with scuff marks on the shoes’ toe and sides. This gives the footwear its famous worn and relaxed look that so many Golden Goose owners love.
Golden Goose, a designer sneaker brand established in 2000, began as a dream in Venice, Italy, and has made its way to the skateparks of Venice, California. The brand’s board of directors, which is 30% women, emphasizes the importance of diversity in the workplace. One of the most famous aspects of any Golden Goose product is their star logo, and they translate this into the workplace by, “Inspiring everyone to be a star”. Their goal as a company is to have every team member feel empowered and respected. This passion for inclusion and diversity can also be seen in their shoes.
The brand releases new styles each month, and each shoe is one of a kind in the way that it’s distressed. With additions like calf fur, hot pink metallic leather, zebra-striped laces and glitter pops, most sneaker-lovers are likely to find a style that suits them and makes their personal style feel recognized. The company’s sneaker styles range from hightops, platforms, velcro shoes, low tops, styles that resemble training sneakers and more.
It seems Golden Goose falls in line with items like black licorice; people either love it or hate it. Critics have shamed the brand for mocking impoverished people, while some fans attest that with so many options of style, texture, color and pattern, Golden Goose are some of the only shoes that allow for true self-expression.
The Golden Goose website posted its “Golden Manifesto,” which lists the company’s dreams and desires for these shoes and its customers. The company finishes it by saying, “Don’t be perfect, be Younique.”
“I bought Golden Gooses in my freshman year of high school, and I love that they come pre-distressed because it takes away the stress of feeling like I needed to constantly keep them clean,” said Raegan Arata, a University of Texas freshman. “I felt more comfortable wearing them as an everyday shoe.”
It’s the dirtiness of the shoes that also deters so many people from buying them. Many wonder why people spend so much money on shoes that don’t look clean and professional. Golden Goose does, however, make shoes that come without scuff marks, and this style is called “Pure Star.” The downfall is that they do not make every style in a clean version, and Pure Stars are exclusively low tops with chunkier soles.
Another critique Golden Goose sneakers often receive is that they are not genuinely likeable; rather, they are seen as a status symbol. This perspective suggests that individuals purchase these sneakers not for their genuine appeal but to signal to others that they are willing to invest in deliberately distressed footwear as a statement of wealth or fashion-forwardness.
The sneakers’ owners refute this claim, saying they are some of the most comfortable shoes they’ve ever owned.
Sebastian Aguayo, a University of Texas freshman, likes that he can wear them with so many outfits. “I can either dress them up or dress them down depending on what I’m going for.”
On the subject of value for your money, Aguayo thinks the exceptional quality makes the hefty price tag more reasonable. “As far as quality goes, they’re super good quality but they are pretty expensive. I could see why people think they’re not worth it, but I think they are, especially since I wear them a lot.”
In its 24 years of production, Golden Goose sneakers have sparked admiration and controversy in the fashion world. While some praise the brand for its innovative designs and emphasis on self-expression, others criticize it for potentially insensitive messaging and being a symbol of status rather than genuine appreciation for fashion.
Despite this controversy, the company’s mission has remained clear. According to their website, they believe that fashion and personal style are powerful forms of self-expression: “Golden is a story about authenticity and timelessness, about perfection emanating from apparent imperfection.”
Whether you’re a fan of Golden Goose or not, the discussion surrounding these sneakers highlights the ongoing evolution of fashion and the diverse perspectives it can inspire.
