It’s a widely regarded fact that Demna Gvasalia has a deep-rooted affinity for taking the most derided – and often downright ugly – items of clothing and turning them into what is essentially fashion crack: just take dad sneakers, stonewash, bootcut denim, and Crocs for example.

Now, the Georgian designer is putting forward his latest proposition, as seen as part of his Pre-AW19 collection for Balenciaga. To kick things off, on the line-up for the coming season are a series of oversized, wide-shouldered jackets, acid-washed jeans, and bold-hued anoraks – so far, so business as usual. 

It’s when you reach the models’ feet, though, that you’ll see that, according to Gvasalia, kitten heeled, toe-thong flip-flops are back for 2019, having been dug out of the recesses of Britney Spears’ wardrobe circa 2003. As paired with a logo-emblazoned mini-dress in one shot, things take a turn for the… well, we guess unique when a bright yellow version finishes off an outfit comprising a neat polka dot shirt, a ladylike structured bag, and a tailored tweed coat. Seriously: wow.

Elsewhere throughout the lookbook, models wear earpods and peer down at their iPhones, as tech continues to infiltrate editorials and runways everywhere. 

It’s not the first time the flip-flops have been spotted in the realm of high fashion in recent times, though. Last year, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen heralded the return of the classic toe-thong, before Gianvito Rossi and Simon Miller released their own heeled version of the divisive shoe last month. As pointed out by writer Emilia Petrarca, the TL went wild, as many recalled wearing them back in the early 00s (and digitally cringed for doing so).

With the initial seeds sewn and Gvasalia announcing them the go-to for the end of the summer, we anticipate it won’t be long until they begin infiltrating IG. Watch this space.