The New Celebrity ‘It’ Sneaker? All Signs Point to Vivaia’s Cristina Lace-Up Derby Flat.
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In the thick of the incessant and hectic trend cycle, a few elements have to align for a shoe to be deemed the “It” item of the season: chief among them quantifiable popularity on social media, representation of similar styles on recent runways, and a seal of approval from A-listers. Vivaia’s Cristina Lace-Up Derby Flats — the first machine-washable satin sneakers ever — have already achieved all three in less than a month.
The Cristina Derby Flats, released in late February, couldn’t have come at a better time. During the spring 2025 fashion circuit, after all, ballet-style flat-sneaker hybrids were all the rage, and so were soft sneakers overall: evidenced in part by Prada’s purple-powered, low-profile sneaker with a metallic cap toe and Loewe’s revamped Ballet Runner. Ready-to-wear bestsellers in this category include Puma’s Speedcat Ballet Leather Shoes (now sold out), the Adidas Taekwondo Mei Shoes (also sold out), Acne Studios’ Lace-Up Leather Shoes, and beyond. The fact that, nowadays, inventory goes the way of the Dodo almost as soon as each new balletcore sneaker drops is proof positive of this footwear’s mass appeal — whose genesis can be traced back to 2021, when Simone Rocha’s rubbery Crystal Buckle Tracker Shoes hit the runway in the first formalized showcase of the hybrid.
Many ballet sneaker styling videos on TikTok now receive thousands upon thousands of views, and Vivaia itself is no stranger to the limelight: seeing as how the #vivaia hashtag boasts over 12,000 related TikTok posts.
While many silhouettes of this circa-2020 global footwear brand are hot and trending right now, the one that’s witnessing the most success is, without a doubt, the aforementioned Cristina Lace-Up Derby Flat. Bella Hadid was spotted in the shoe on two distinct “model off duty” occasions: once when stepping out in Paris at the conclusion of Fashion Week (styling the black version with straight-leg denim and a dual-toned coat), and once when strolling in NYC (donning the Light Gold colorway with cropped leggings and a leather bomber jacket). Model Amelia Gray Hamlin also chose to wear the chic kicks at Paris Fashion Week, but she went with the Peach Blush hue styled overtop knit socks, thereby maximizing the shoes’ feminine energy.
The Cristina Lace-Up Derby Flat is a study in balancing comfort and stylishness, being a more practical shoe than many comparable models gracing fashion shows as of late. It’s slim and thus barefoot-inspired (another trend), features a curved toebox, has a satin fabric upper that’s also eco-friendly, and benefits from a triple-layer sole: making it the perfect sneaker for racking up steps in a foreign city during spring break. To add to its case, the Cristina is foldable and comes with two types of laces. For mastering the ballerina aesthetic to a tee, we recommend the dainty, sleek ribbon ones. Craving even more personalization? There are always shoe charms to consider, including sweet-as-can-be pearl clips or other girlie-girl adornments.
With four color options, you’re encouraged to stock up on (yes) all four to fit different seasons and OOTDs. The lace-up flats’ black style, for example, can pop against the background of blue jeans or a white maxi skirt; Dream Blue is a statement-maker of the highest degree, in line with today’s obsession over colorful shoes; while the universally flattering Light Gold and Peach Blush are bound to make you the most fashionable person in town this season.
In case you’re mentally invested in ballet sneakers but not yet sold on the Vivaia brand in particular, maybe the fact that its shoes are embraced by many a celebrity beyond Hadid and Hamlin will be that final push you need. Alexa Chung favors Vivaia’s Margot Square-Toe Mary-Jane in Forest Green, Lindsay Lohan owns the Addison Pointed-Toe Slingback Sandals, Oprah Winfrey endorses the sturdy and sophisticated Regina Pro Square-Toe Heeled Boots, and Jenna Ortega was once seen in the sensible Julie Pro Almond-Toe Chunky Heels. That’s just scratching the surface.
A lot of ballet-centric footwear this spring looks stunning enough to buy pronto but, unfortunately, has a price tag high enough to make you think twice. Not so with the Vivaia Cristina Lace-Up Derby Flats, an under-$200 gem that you absolutely shouldn’t sleep on. Seriously, though: the Cristina has already been restocked three times in one month since its February unveiling, making this the “It” sneaker of the moment and your best April buy.
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Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD and FN. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on trending footwear and celebrity style.