Barefoot Revolution: How Minimalist Shoes Conquered High Fashion and Celebrity Culture in 2025

The barefoot shoe movement has officially stepped out of the fringes and onto the fashion runway. Once considered purely functional footwear for health enthusiasts, barefoot shoes have undergone a remarkable transformation, infiltrating high fashion houses, celebrity wardrobes, and mainstream culture at an unprecedented pace. This comprehensive analysis reveals how 2025 became the year minimalist footwear finally conquered the fashion world, with market projections, celebrity endorsements, and luxury collaborations signaling a permanent shift in how we think about shoes.

Fashion’s Barefoot Awakening: Luxury Brands Embrace Minimalism

In what might be the most definitive sign of barefoot shoes crossing into high fashion territory, Balenciaga has unveiled its provocative “Zero” barefoot sandal, scheduled for release in Fall 2025. Priced at approximately €350 ($450), this ultralight 3D-molded EVA foam design “distils footwear to its essence,” according to the brand, leaving most of the foot exposed with just a minimalist sole featuring a heel cup and toe groove.

Fashion publication Vogue Business recently declared that “barefoot shoes could be big business in 2025,” signaling that this is no passing trend but a significant shift in the industry. The fact that a prestigious fashion house like Balenciaga has embraced barefoot principles represents a watershed moment for the movement.

1970s

The Early Days

Nike Cortez considered one of the first minimalist running shoes, laying the foundation for what would become the barefoot movement.

2005

Vibram Revolution

Vibram FiveFingers introduces toe pocket design, sparking controversy and interest in natural foot movement.

2025

High Fashion Adoption

Balenciaga launches “Zero” barefoot shoe at €350, signaling mainstream luxury acceptance of minimalist footwear.

But Balenciaga isn’t alone in this fashion revolution. Perhaps the most significant high-fashion barefoot collaboration comes from Japanese fashion house Issey Miyake and athletic giant New Balance. Their reimagined minimalist MT10 trainer, described as delivering “sensuous physicality,” launched globally on June 14, 2024, after premiering exclusively in Japan on May 15. According to British Vogue, the partnership focuses on a lightweight silhouette that mimics the barefoot experience while incorporating Miyake’s distinctive aesthetic sensibilities.

“Love them or hate them, next season will likely bring the arrival of a new generation of minimalist shoes that allow the toes to enter the mainstream.”

– Vogue Business, 2025 Fashion Forecast

Having tracked barefoot shoe developments for years on BareTread, I can confirm that while barefoot shoes have existed for decades, what’s happening now is unprecedented. The core principles that define true barefoot shoes – zero-drop soles (completely flat from heel to toe), wider toe boxes allowing natural foot splay, and flexible materials permitting natural foot movement – are now being incorporated into high-fashion designs that were previously unimaginable.

Market Explosion: The $800 Million Barefoot Revolution

This isn’t just a stylistic shift – it’s being reflected in substantial market growth. According to Allied Market Research, the global barefoot shoe market is projected to reach a staggering $788.7 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2022. Other research firms show similar projections:

This growth is being driven by several converging factors: increasing health awareness among consumers, the rising popularity of minimalist fitness activities, growing interest in sustainable products, and expanded e-commerce accessibility. But perhaps most significantly, the style evolution of barefoot shoes has removed a major barrier to adoption – the perception that they look “weird” or too unconventional for everyday wear.

Celebrities and Pro Athletes Embrace the Barefoot Lifestyle

The celebrity world has played a crucial role in normalizing and popularizing barefoot shoes, with several high-profile individuals making headlines for their minimalist footwear choices or even going completely barefoot in public settings.

Kelly Clarkson made waves when she went barefoot during an episode of “The Kelly Clarkson Show” while interviewing comedian Jim Gaffigan. According to People Magazine, Clarkson explained that her feet were hurting from stilettos and that performing barefoot makes her feel more grounded. This candid moment resonated with viewers who appreciated her prioritizing comfort over conventional footwear expectations.

In a particularly striking example that captured media attention, Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver Mack Hollins arrived barefoot to a snowy game in freezing temperatures (31 degrees). When interviewed about his unusual choice, Hollins explained the health benefits like stronger feet and enhanced grounding – core principles of the barefoot movement. This high-profile athletic endorsement helped legitimize barefoot practices beyond just casual or fashion contexts.

The influence extends beyond just individual celebrity choices to the training methods embraced by Hollywood’s elite. Don Saladino, the renowned trainer whose client list includes Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, and Scarlett Johansson, actively promotes barefoot training in his regimens. According to Muscle & Fitness magazine, “Saladino stresses top-to-bottom foundational strength—including the toes, which he accomplishes by training barefoot when possible.” He explains this approach with a compelling analogy: “Think of it like putting a cast on your hand: If your hand’s healthy and it’s wrapped in a cast half the day, you’ll lose dexterity.”

“When I’m training clients who need to develop better balance and proprioception for physically demanding roles, barefoot training is one of our most valuable tools. The connection to the ground creates a foundation that translates to better movement quality on screen.”

– Don Saladino, Celebrity Trainer

In the athletic world, professional endorsements continue to grow. Timbaland, the influential music producer, has publicly endorsed Vivobarefoot, citing improvements in foot feel and balance. Professional basketball players in both the NBA and WNBA, including Justin Holiday and Temi Fagbenle, have been spotted using Xero Shoes. Even tennis legend Venus Williams has acknowledged the importance of foot strength in her training – a principle directly aligned with barefoot philosophy.

Three-time world champion surfer John John Florence has taken his endorsement further by actively collaborating with Vivobarefoot, reinforcing the brand’s connection to high-performance athletics. These professional endorsements lend substantial credibility to the performance benefits of minimalist footwear, helping shift perceptions from viewing barefoot shoes as merely a health-focused choice to seeing them as performance-enhancing equipment.

Barefoot Goes Mainstream: Major Brands Adopt Minimalist Design