Step aside Hugh Hefner and make room for Kanye West and his fancy feet!
Once a trademark to the ultimate Playboy, velvet evening slippers are no longer Hef’s exclusive style stamp.
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Music turned fashion maven Kanye has stepped out in a pair of his own, designed by none other than Tom Ford. The trend is not limited to menswear, however, as brands from Christian Louboutin to Ralph Lauren offer ladies slippers as well.
As with most trends in fashion, the newly reinvented velvet slipper was inspired by a past trend dating back to the 1840s. When Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Saafeld donned the opulent shoe, he popularized it so much, that eventually it was nicknamed “The Albert Slipper.”
In recent years, Kanye has emerged as a prominent figure in fashion, constantly idolized for his bold sense of style. At the 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards, Kanye was effortless in his velvet slippers, wearing them with jeans, a white t-shirt and white blazer. Another way he mastered the trend was by a pairing them with a tailored grey suit, a white shirt and a skinny black tie, proving that the music mogul, art enthusiast, and most recently, fashion designer, is the ultimate triple threat.
Other notable celebrities, such as Ryan Gosling and Scott Disick, are also adopting the trend. As a guest on Jimmy Fallon’s late night show, Ryan Gosling appeared dashingly handsome with a pair of velvet slippers and a slim-cut black suit.
While designer velvet slippers retail for some $1500, Del Toro offers the sophisticated style with prices starting at $285. Del Toro additionally offers its clientele the option of customizing their slippers. Have a favorite sports team? Your slippers can even have the team’s logo on them!
Although Del Toro has a wider range of styles for men, their women’s collection offers an extensive assortment as well. Our favorite pair is the navy blue velvet slippers, adorned with skull embroidery on the toe.
Need a hand at styling the look? Pair your velvet slippers with an oversized men’s-style collared shirt, belted over harem pants by day, or with a cotton dress and a structured vest by night!
Above: Kanye after the 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards.
-Regina Arriola
