Costume Designer Heidi Bivens On The Iconic Y2K Sneakers You Need

Growing up in Washington DC, Heidi Bivens spent her time hanging out at Pulaski Park with some of the best skateboarders of the era. It makes sense then that the costume designer behind one of pop culture’s most iconic shows would be heavily influenced by her roots. “Youth culture has been a constant inspiration for many fashion designers,” she says, “and with athleisure and street style becoming popular again, it’s become much more acceptable — and even desirable — to incorporate more casual clothing into a high fashion aesthetic.”

Her understanding of the symbiotic relationship between fashion, skateboarding, and creative subcultures has come to the forefront in her latest project: styling the women’s fall 2022 campaign for DC Shoes. With the counter-culture favorite returning to the zeitgeist after catching the attention of Gen Z content creators, this type of creative collaboration felt inevitable.

A nod to the 2000s style resurgence, the label’s Y2K lookbook celebrates the spirit of the era with sporty pieces and items that promote gender fluidity (Bivens mixed in some styles from the men's collection). “Fashion is cyclical, and after a resurgence of ’90s culture and style, it makes sense that Gen Z would discover and embrace the early aughts,” she says. Within the collection are colorful mid-top shoes styled with cargo pants and a corset-style bodysuit; classic white kicks paired with baggy denim and a crop top; and chunky gray sneakers with a plaid mini skirt. Underscored by Alexandra French’s expert beauty looks — glossy lips, smokey eyes, and strong brows — the lookbook’s ‘90s vibe comes full circle.

The fall collection, available now worldwide at dcshoes.com and select retailers, also includes platforms with a washed denim effect, as well as plaid and leopard vulcanized shoes. “I love that you don’t have to spend a ton of money on high fashion design and you can still get respect from peers by wearing brands that align with your personal aesthetic, taste, and values,” Bivens says of the selection, which is priced from $55 - $95. “The authenticity behind cult brands has always given a certain kind of street cred.”