Sep 232 min read

Phillipe Model "Noah": The Luxe Sneaker You Didn’t Know You Needed

Have you ever stopped to think about the concept of luxury and high fashion in the world of sneakers? Sneakers, once exclusively tied to sports, particularly basketball, used to come with a sense of modesty in both design and price.

But times have changed. People now ask, why can’t sneakers step into the high-end fashion arena? We see handcrafted dress shoes made by master artisans selling for eye-watering prices, so why shouldn’t sneakers share the same spotlight? Enter brands like Y-3, Rick Owens, Common Projects, and Buscemi - all proving that sneakers can play in the luxury league, too.

To qualify as a luxury sneaker, the materials must be top-tier, particularly the leather, which needs to be meticulously selected. The design must strike the perfect balance - whether it follows trends, creates new ones, or embraces timeless style. And, most importantly, these shoes should be crafted by skilled artisans, not churned out by machines, giving them a unique quality that outshines mass production.

Today, I’m introducing you to one such brand: Phillipe Model. Their designs embody that effortless French chic, combined with the careful craftsmanship of Italian artisans. In the video below, you can watch the process of creating these sneakers, from selecting the leather to final packaging at Phillipe Model.

Each pair of Phillipe Model shoes is made by artisans in the Riviera del Brenta region, just outside Venice, Italy. From cutting the leather to molding the soles, every detail is painstakingly executed by these craftsmen to produce a final product that’s nothing short of luxurious.

Even the shoe box is elegant, sporting a light blue finish.

Inside, you'll find a dust bag to protect your sneakers when they’re not being worn.

The pair I got is called "Noah," a sleek low-top sneaker from their Fall-Winter 2016 collection, which dropped in late June.

Tadaaaaa! My first impression of the Phillipe Model Noah is its clean, minimalistic elegance.

The Noah is made from soft calf leather with natural wrinkles that add character. The sole is split into two sections: the upper part shares the same leather, while the lower part is molded rubber with a serrated design.

Every stitch and seam is flawless.

The interior is fully lined in leather, making the shoe as comfortable as it is stylish. Honestly, everything about these sneakers is perfect, except for the fact that wearing pristine white kicks on the streets of Vietnam means they’ll need a lot of TLC.

White sneakers, of course, go with just about anything in your wardrobe, so versatility isn’t even a question here.