Testing the Viral, Celeb-Worn Ballet Sneaker

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Ballerina sneakers, like sneaker loafers, are a hybrid shoe that’s all the rage right now. The slim, streamlined silhouettes that have been building impressive momentum since spring are now either at the center of your attention or on your shoe shelf, and there’s really no in between. And Vivaia, a brand launched in 2020 by shoe industry veterans, is at the forefront of the current “sneaker” revolution. The most popular ballet sneaker style is definitely the square-toed lace-up Christina, closely followed by Yanka and Yancey. The Yanka and Yancey feature recycled nylon uppers, an aesthetic homage to ’70s trainers. These are not the only Any Shoes: In fact, they are viral superstars who have managed to develop a fan base consisting of Bella Hadid, Amelia Gray, Laura Tung, Charli XCX, Julia Roberts, and more.

Most recently, after the 82nd Venice Film Festival, Roberts departed Italy wearing an all-black Yanka, marking the third time Roberts has donned the best-selling Vivaia. Considering Yanka’s fully foldable, lightweight design, arch support, and triple-layer sole, it’s no wonder Roberts chose it as her travel shoe. It offers comfort while keeping feminine elegance in mind.

Charli XCX At this year’s Coachella, she paired the rose gold Yancey with a graphic T-shirt and ruffled skirt, and Bella Hadid was spotted wearing a white version of the Yancey earlier this summer. It was accented on top of an outfit that consisted of baggy jeans and a tiny bralette, accented by a white denim jacket.

Despite all this star-studded glamour, Yanka and Yancey’s Christina is perhaps even more famous. Considered more affordable (but less attention-grabbing) Try on these $975 Louis Vuitton sneakersHadid has also garnered attention as part of two different ensembles. Once in Paris at the end of fashion week (she styled the black option with straight-leg jeans and a dual-tone coat), and once while strolling around New York with capris in tow. model amelia gray Christina has incorporated it into previous looks, as has Laura Tan, who just last month debuted a gray-silver FW25 variation paired with a textured drop-waist minidress.

Based on these attention-grabbing, headline-grabbing looks, it’s not hard to see how Vivaia has successfully leveraged key celebrity style moments and social media buzz to boost the virality of its sneaker selection. With new styles released regularly, this brand boasts over 1 million followers. on instagram and regularly attracts similar people selena gomez (with its non-sneaker silhouette) will soon end its run of popularity.

With this in mind, I decided to spend a week trying out the Vivaia Cristina Satin Sneakerina myself. I specifically tested it on cream mesh. This has also influenced the crocheted flat shoe trend that carried over from summer. Below are my honest thoughts on celebrity-favorite shoes.

Vivaia Christina Satin Sneakina – Editor Test Review

To see how the bestseller performs in different situations, I decided to test out the Vivia Christina Satin Sneakerina in cream mesh for this year’s New York Fashion Week. During that time, I attended multiple events after work, traveled large swathes of the city on foot, and needed to stay comfortable and chic all the while.

What was your first impression after wearing Christina? The socks felt almost weightless, like I was wearing only socks or no socks at all. In fact, Vivaia’s top-selling product capitalizes on its barefoot feel, complemented by the fact that, as mentioned above, it can easily be folded into a daily commuter bag, canvas tote, or carry-on.

Aesthetically, I have nothing but good things to say about the instant visual interest provided by the Cristina’s mesh upper. This style is enhanced by its square-toe construction and smooth satin fabric in a versatile ivory hue. Mesh may not be the most insulating material choice for winter, but it served me very well during the warm early fall weeks I wore this shoe religiously.

On the first day of NYFW, I decided to show off my new mesh sneakers, which I paired with studded jeans (smoothie sneak jeans from SNACKS! brand Mother) and a simple gray ribbed camisole. I couldn’t stop admiring the shoes while I was in the taxi heading to the evening’s event. And every time I see my toes peeking out from under the folds of my pants. The creamy white colorway pops, and the bold holes highlight the coquettishness of Christina’s ribbon laces (each purchase includes a set of elastic and pointe-inspired laces; also available “a la carte”).

On the second day of the testing period, I took Christina out for a date night (a much-needed break from all the fashion shows). On this day, I wore leather leggings that fit perfectly to my body, and the contrast between the shoes and bottoms was amazing. Throughout the week, it also proved practical when paired with closet staples like maxi skirts and cop-core knit dresses. As far as aesthetics go, there were no notes.

In terms of comfort, I have to admit that as a heel striker, I would have liked the insoles of the Vivaia shoes to be thicker and more molded. Because the thinness of that style meant it absorbed the feel of the pavement every time your foot hit the ground. The laces on your sneakers can also come undone easily, so if you don’t make sure to tie them securely, you risk having to stop and adjust them multiple times throughout the day.

That being said, I never developed any blisters while using Cristina. And I really appreciated the fact that its lightness made me feel light on my feet, allowing me to zip from previews downtown to soirees uptown with ease. As someone with wide feet, I never felt like I was limited by the shoe’s parameters. This can be attributed to the flexibility of satin and leather. The mesh upper also allowed for good ventilation, so I never found my feet sweaty or slippery. Another element to love? The fact that I chose cream ballerina sneakers meant that they were definitely going to get dirty eventually (which I knew I would do sooner or later), but it was very easy to throw the shoes in the washing machine. I let the shoes air dry after a regular spin cycle, and ultimately no trace of the minor scuffs in question remained.

The convenience of Vivaia’s Cristina really won me over. This is the kind of shoe you can just throw on and go, perfect for 9-to-5 office play or after-work activities, while still being able to elevate any outfit. And while I didn’t spot any doppelgänger sneakers in the crowd at this year’s New York Fashion Week, it’s safe to say I was in good company when it came to celebrity endorsement of this brand (and this very style!).

What’s the biggest takeaway from a week of bonding with the Vivaia Sneakerlina, which has sold out four times in less than two months and been purchased over 15,000 times since its February launch? I’m already planning on buying another pair (the range of on-trend colorways, from peach blush to butter yellow, is super flattering). A couple of personal notes: opt for non-mesh items in the colder months, and stock up on lace styles that are sure to stand out against Christina’s muted, eye-pleasing hues of Carte Blanche.

Sure, Vivaia sneakers don’t have the all-day comfort of foam women’s sneakers, but what you’re getting here is an It-girl-approved style statement that’ll get you through those 10,000-step days. Your favorite celebrities (and real) are already participating. What is you Are you waiting?

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meet the author

Stacia Datskowska Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked as an assistant digital editor at ELLE DECOR, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through the lens of design. Over the past five years, her byline has appeared in USA Today, the Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, the Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Before joining ELLE DECOR, Datskowska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tent pole sale events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on the IT footwear of the season and shoe trends to buy in 2025.