High heel sneakers by Donna Karan for Opening Ceremony

Today’s post is a throwback to a throwback, looking back to an era where high heeled sneakers brought together two seemingly incompatible forms of footwear.

The high heeled sneaker shoes shown here were designed by Donna Karan of DKNY and were featured on High Heels Daily way back in 2014.

Back in those mid 2010-days, the DKNY line was well established as a more accessible (read: less expensive), younger-leaning fashion line than the designer’s Donna Karan New York brand.

However both brands had been owned by French luxury group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton since 2000.

The high top heeled canvas sneakers were made in China of man-made materials, with a rubber sole and captoe. With a 3.5 inch heel they were designed for online retainer Opening Ceremony.

The high heeled sneakers themselves were a throwback to the 1990s.

Back in 2014, the snazzy sneaker heels were available in sizes 6 to 10 (including half sizes) from Opening Ceremony for $175. They sold out many years ago and are no longer available.

As it turned out, the heeled sneakers of 2014 were one of the last pieces designed by Donna Karan for DKNY.

Donna Karan retired and was replaced as designer of DKNY in April 2015, by which time DKNY made up 80% of the sales of both groups.

And in 2016 LVMH sold the brand to American manufacturing and licensing company G-III Apparel Group.

Donna Karan meanwhile now focusses on her luxury lifestyle brand Urban Zen.