A.W.A.K.E. Mode Asymmetrical Shoes: The New Icon of Avant-Garde Footwear

It’s not easy to start a business, and it is particularly difficult to start a fashion house, especially if you hope to become as relevant and revered as legendary brands such as Chanel, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Fendi, and more.

But fashion houses, beginning in earnest in modern times, are taking unique approaches to cementing themselves as sought-after luxury brands, many selling pieces that are decidedly more runway than ready-to-wear.

One such brand is A.W.A.K.E. Mode. The London-based brand has operated since 2012 and has established itself as a purveyor of groundbreaking fashion, disrupting the industry, particularly with its asymmetrical shoes.

A.W.A.K.E. Mode, the London-based label, pushes footwear boundaries with avant-garde silhouettes and bold asymmetrical shoe designs that redefine modern luxury (Credit: Awake-Mode)

Asymmetrical footwear is far from a novel concept; it is defined by a deliberate lack of symmetry, whether manifested through contrasting details between a pair or structural imbalances within a single shoe.

This aesthetic can range from subtle color blocking to radical silhouettes—think of architectural heels with straps that slash diagonally across the instep or the whimsically mismatched bow sandals by Jimmy Choo.

But A.W.A.K.E. Mode has taken asymmetrical shoes to a new level, boasting designs that are as mind-boggling as they are innovative.

Not everyone will want to purchase a pair (not everyone can afford to), but fashion lovers will appreciate the brand’s ingenuity. Let’s take a look at the wildest pairs of A.W.A.K.E. Mode’s asymmetrical shoes that you can buy at Farfetch:

1. The Architecture of the “Geraldine” Asymmetric Sandal

The “Geraldine” sandals are an A.W.A.K.E. Mode specialty. Available in two-tone leather, the pair is designed to appear as a single shoe.

With a wooden block heel and beige-and-black straps that wrap around the ankle from the back, the Geraldine sandals look like a regular pair of shoes, albeit with some flair.

The A.W.A.K.E. Mode Geraldine sandals come in two-tone beige and black leather with a wooden block heel

It’s from the front that the shoes really make their impact. When viewed straight on, the asymmetry in this shoe design is evident.

The mostly beige sandal, which you’d wear on your right foot, covers most of your toes, only leaving your big toe on display. The mostly black sandal, however, which you’d wear on your left foot, covers your big toe and leaves the rest of your piggies to be seen.

The right shoe covers most of the toes, leaving only the big toe on display, while the left shoe covers the big toe, exposing the rest of the toes

What’s really neat about this sandal, from an artistic perspective, is that if looking at the sandals from one side, you might think the shoes are closed-toe.

The cutouts come from the same side, so at certain angles, you wouldn’t know that there are any toes on display at all. But when looking at the shoes from virtually any other angle, there’s no mistaking that they’re totally unique.

From the side, the Geraldine sandals look like a closed-toe pump

The Geraldine sandals aren’t going to trip everyone’s trigger—that much is certain—but for those who want what they wear to be as interesting as what they have to say, these are a great buy.

2. “Christine” Sandals: A Toned-Down Take on the Optical Illusion

We’ve noted enough that these A.W.A.K.E. Mode asymmetrical shoes won’t make it into everyone’s shopping cart, but if you’re interested in a pair that’s a little more toned down, check out the “Christine” sandals.

Please note that these are only toned down in terms of the straps. And by that, we mean that they only have a few straps—one that runs around the ankle, one that runs up the back of the heel, and a couple that run down the top of the foot—rather than the straps on the Geraldine sandals that wrap up around the leg.

The A.W.A.K.E. Mode Christine sandals are similar to the Geraldine, sans the strappy wraparound ankle straps

Aside from the difference in straps, the Christine and Geraldine sandals are structurally similar.

The Christine sandals also feature that signature A.W.A.K.E. Mode look of toes alternating between showing and hiding, almost creating an optical illusion. It’s really a sight to behold.

Where the Christine sandals vary most starkly from the Geraldine sandals is color—the former has far more colorway options than the latter.

If you purchase a pair of the Christine sandals, you can choose from gold, turquoise, black, white, beige, brown, or brown check. The different colorways might not sell you on the shoes, but if you’re already interested in a pair, the shade options are a welcome variance.

The Christine comes in a variety of colorways, including turquoise blue

3. “Casual Carla”: The Avant-Garde Sock Boot for Everyday Wear

There’s a lot to be said about the “Casual Carla” sock boot. In terms of asymmetrical shoes, these boots are far less dramatic than anything else A.W.A.K.E. Mode makes.

But as far as regular pairs of shoes go, these are still flashier than what most of us are putting on our feet.

Replete with a thick yellow sole and the fabric top quintessential to a sock bootie, the Casual Carlas are effortlessly cool. That said, it takes a deliberate effort to pull these off.

The A.W.A.K.E. Mode Casual Carla sock boots feature a fabric upper with the label’s signature cutout detail and logo-stamped soles

As for the asymmetry on these boots, the imbalance is due to cutouts on the top of the foot.

They’re subtle, and if you wore the right underpinnings, no one would even know that the cutouts exist. If you can make peace with the shoe’s structure, particularly the sole, and want to try an asymmetrical piece, this is the shoe for you.

A less dramatic A.W.A.K.E. Mode asymmetrical shoe, the Casual Carla’s imbalance comes by way of cutouts on the top of the foot

Beyond Asymmetry: More Iconic A.W.A.K.E. Mode Footwear

A.W.A.K.E. Mode isn’t solely in the business of making asymmetrical shoes, though. The brand has several other options that are less loud (not quiet, just less loud).

Take, for instance, the “Iris” circle detail sandals. These A.W.A.K.E. Mode shoes come in a fun mustard yellow and feature, as the name suggests, circular details all across the top of the foot. A similar pair is available in black with a shorter heel, and there’s a flat version.

As the name suggests, the A.W.A.K.E. Mode Iris circle detail sandals boast circular appliques at the vamp and an ankle-tie closure

Then there are the “Delta” high tassel sandals. This pair features leather tassels along the sides of the shoes, bookending your feet in the most elegant way possible. The tassels come in multiple sole styles, so take your pick.

The Delta high tassel sandals are another A.W.A.K.E. Mode favorite, thanks to the unique tassel detailing

A.W.A.K.E. Mode is doing what others aren’t, and for that alone, it should be commended. Browse the cutting-edge brand’s entire selection of startlingly artistic shoes, clothing, and jewelry for even more fashion fun.

For another fresh take on asymmetrical footwear that blends sculptural design with everyday wearability, check out this editorial feature on Jimmy Choo’s asymmetrical stiletto slingbacks with mesh and bow details, where bold design meets refined elegance in a way that complements the avant-garde spirit of A.W.A.K.E. Mode’s most artistic silhouettes.

Exploring the Wider World of Avant-Garde & Statement Footwear

A.W.A.K.E. Mode’s asymmetric shoes are part of a broader movement redefining modern footwear—where unconventional silhouettes, artistic risk-taking, and bold design choices take center stage.

If experimental shoes and fashion-forward brands resonate with your style, these related reads offer deeper insight into the designers, trends, and statement-making styles shaping today’s most boundary-pushing footwear.