GQ | THIS TINY FRENCH SKATE BRAND IS MAKING SNEAKERS EVERYBODY WANTS

16 Mar GQ | THIS TINY FRENCH SKATE BRAND IS MAKING SNEAKERS EVERYBODY WANTS

The podium of culture-defining skate shoes is a crowded one. A select few—Vans Era, éS Koston, Osiris DR, Nike SB Dunk, and just a handful of others—have been bestowed with the divine designation of “classic.” It’s the sort of category that doesn’t often make room for newcomers. That’s probably about to change thanks to a small brand based out of France called Village PM.

In their debut year, Village PM, founded by Basile Lapray and Bram De Cleen, has jolted the industry with their brow-raising take on the skate shoe, landing a slew of top skate shop accounts around the world. Cementing their shoes in the exclusive cadre of skate classics isn’t promised, but what makes Village PM more likely than others is the fact that it’s nabbed dozens of coveted fashion accounts, too. From Dover Street Market to HAVEN, Village PM is spinning its wheels faster than the competition, and it all comes down to the refreshing and innovative design.

Skating is as much about skill as it is about style, and it’s clear that Village PM gets it. Details like the asymmetrical lace-to-toe design, dual heel pull tabs, and grippy, undulating sidewalls hint at the brand’s bigger idea: a skate shoe informed by the DNA of rock-climbing footwear. The asymmetrical shape follows the natural contours of the foot, while the extended lacing allows for a more precise fit. High-wear zones are reinforced with a rubber rand and sidewalls that improve durability and grip during tricks. It’s made from the same sticky rubber used in climbing shoes for superior friction.

But even the most bomb-proof skate shoes give out, and most skaters can go through a pair in a matter of weeks, well before the soles have worn away. Village PM already has a solution: they’ve designed their shoes to be easily repaired by a cobbler. Once you’ve done enough tres flips and the rubber’s wearing thin, a cobbler can simply peel off that layer of rubber and apply a new rubber layer so your shoes can keep on pushing.

Beyond the engineering, Village PM’s shoes also happen to have real curb appeal. Lapray and De Cleen developed a custom shoe last that gives the sneakers a sleek silhouette that meets the fashion moment, which seems keen to focus on torpedo shoes and ballerina sneakers.

What’s even more impressive about Village PM’s shoes is their accessible price point. Most of the models float right around $130, with the most affordable barely topping a Benjamin. This French label’s just touched down in the Americas, and by the looks of it, it won’t be long before they’re everywhere.

The streamlined but none-too-slim silhouette makes them a perfect pairing for a wide variety of pant silhouettes from slim jeans with an ankle-baring crop, to baggy cargos with a healthy break. Materials like hardy canvas, peached suede, and patent leather combine with versatile and trending colorways that hearken back to the sportswear of the late ‘90s. And if there’s a trend that has an enduring appeal with a perennially modern aesthetic, it’s JFK Jr’s era.