Jennifer Lawrence recently showcased a fresh sneaker trend in Manhattan, turning attention to London-based designer Grace Wales Bonner and her innovative Mary Jane sneakers. On April 29, the actress was spotted stepping out in a pair of Wales Bonner’s Mary Jane sneakers, marking a notable departure from her usual retro sneaker and Adidas Tokyo choices.
This footwear, combining the classic single-strap and curved toe design of traditional Mary Janes with the comfort and functionality of a sneaker, represents a rising trend in the fashion world. The shoe distinctive features treaded soles and a padded footbed, engineered for extensive daily wear, ideal for lengthy walks or busy urban days.
The particular Wales Bonner sneaker that Jennifer Lawrence chose for her Manhattan outing features a poly-based black fabric with a wide strap and a sole similar to the brand’s earlier metallic leather versions shown on the Fall 2023 runway. These earlier versions included a silver metallic finish paired with a Vibram sole. The Mary Jane sneakers have already caught the eye of notable figures such as Taylor Russell, who incorporated them into her everyday attire, and Zendaya, who appeared on the British Vogue cover in April 2024 donning her pair.
While the fashion industry has predominantly focused on Wales Bonner’s collaborations with Adidas over the past year, Lawrence’s embrace of the Mary Jane sneaker spotlights the style’s growing significance. Her ensemble, combining the sneakers with a vintage printed jacket, black longline trousers, and a retro Shania Twain baseball cap, showcased the shoes’ versatility and ease of integration into diverse wardrobes.
The design’s subtle embossed strap adds a delicate touch, allowing it to complement softer, more feminine outfits, such as those from collaborations like Gap x Dôen. Fashion observers anticipate that this trend, supported by Lawrence’s endorsement, will gain momentum and become a staple in sneaker collections, following a history of her influencing street style with various footwear since her debut appearances.
Other iterations of the Mary Jane sneaker trend are visible in collections by designers like Eckhaus Latta, particularly their red Mary Jane sneaker ballerina flats retailing at $470 through SSENSE, indicating the style's widespread appeal and availability across a spectrum of price points and fashion labels.
The Marie Claire is reporting on this emerging trend, highlighting Jennifer Lawrence’s role in bringing Wales Bonner’s Mary Jane sneakers into the spotlight as a significant element of contemporary fashion footwear.
Source: Noah Wire Services