Derby shoes stage a stylish comeback: the classic footwear resurfaces

The ballet flat's reign might be over. Derby shoes, with their understated elegance and practicality, are poised to reclaim their place in the fashion spotlight.

A footwear renaissance: the derby

A footwear renaissance: the derby's return

For years, the ballet flat dominated wardrobes, a staple from the 2010s championed by icons like Alexa Chung and Kate Moss. But after a brief period overshadowed by chunky sneakers and other trend-driven footwear, the Derby shoe is making a pointed reappearance. French brand Repetto arguably spearheaded this revival, its classic styles embraced by contemporary fashionistas like Lily-Rose Depp and Kaia Gerber.

Interestingly, Repetto's history is deeply intertwined with a surprising figure: Serge Gainsbourg. In the 1970s, the iconic singer favored Repetto's