FW 2006 Black Leather Mary Jane Platform Heels - Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière

An exceptional piece of Nicolas Ghesquière-era Balenciaga, these sculptural Mary Jane heels date from the celebrated Fall/Winter 2006 Paris collection — a season in which Ghesquière revisited Cristóbal Balenciaga's archive through exaggerated proportion, couture construction and dramatically elevated footwear. Crafted in smooth black leather, the shoes combine a squared platform toe, slender Mary Jane strap and extraordinary architectural heel, punctuated by contrasting polished reddish-brown inserts at the platform and heel. These inserts have the appearance of decorative marquetry, reminiscent of the polished wood-effect trim found in classic luxury car interiors, adding an unexpectedly automotive note to the design. The result sits somewhere between traditional Mary Jane, futuristic platform and wearable sculpture. The F/W 2006 collection is increasingly recognised as one of the defining collections of Ghesquière's Balenciaga tenure. Contemporary runway coverage specifically noted its vertiginous platforms, while surviving examples of this Mary Jane design are now described on the secondary market as rare and highly collectible. A genuine piece of 2000s fashion history and wearable art, particularly desirable for collectors of archival Balenciaga, Nicolas Ghesquière and influential early-21st-century footwear. Includes original Balenciaga box. Also available in our Store in Marylebone, London.