A step in time: The Bally Babouche
Find out how the traditional Moroccan slipper became a cornerstone of the Swiss fashion house’s collections

A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
The babouche has its roots deep in the heat and sand of the Middle East. Originally a simple leather slipper with a pointed toe and no back, the babouche was worn in ancient Morocco for convenience rather than style. The slippers are still available in Marrakech’s souks, of course, but tend to come in bright silks with a pointy, curled toe. But in the past couple of years the style has emerged from the Medina and into the mainstream with bohemian 70s influence flooding the catwalks. The babouche has shown it has staying power with its laid-back insouciance, comfort and convenience – and one of the brands making this happen is Bally.
The Swiss luxury brand is known for its footwear. It started as a shoemaker and remains dedicated to making finely crafted, beautiful and comfortable footwear. They first introduced their version of the babouche slipper as part of their Spring Summer 2016 collection with the Janelle, a style that has become a cornerstone of its range of women's shoes. The Janelle is crafted from Serrano leather, has a soft rounded toe, small heel and prominent, satisfyingly chunky square gold buckle on the upper. It also features the characteristic counter of its babouches that can be folded down, or worn up for a more structured and supportive shoe.
The Janelle is receiving an update for Autumn Winter 2017 with new colours and materials including a sparkling black with crystal-encrusted buckle, pony and leopard print calfskin models, and ones with poker and casino-inspired adornments, gold studs, and a tartan-inspired check.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Three new versions of the babouche will also be launched as part of the AW17 collection. The Lottie, which has an elegant round buckle, will be available in a black patent, rich pink rose, black suede and the core colours of black and bone. Another new model, the Livilla, has Bally’s iconic Trainspotting stripe across the upper and metal rivets on the side. The third babouche for the collection is the Lorel, a new shape that features a spider detail from Bally's archive.
The genius of the Bally babouche is its versatility, as well as its comfort. It’s a shoe made for transitioning from day to night and works equally well with trousers or a skirt, across all seasons. As Bally's newest collection demonstrates, it's also a style that suits adornment – whether a simple metal buckle, or a playing-card-inspired heart, spade or club surrounded by metal studs. Women will always need grown-up, stylish flat shoes for work and play and the Bally babouche happily fits the bill.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
Will the US keep aiding Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Republicans give Volodymyr Zelenskyy a 'cold shoulder' in D.C.
By Joel Mathis Published
-
Is it time to end the China trade war?
Talking Point The U.S. aims to dial down China trade tensions after years of tit-for-tat tariffs and bans on advanced technology sales
By Harold Maass Published
-
Priced out
Cartoons
By The Week Staff Published
-
Best foot forward: men’s winter footwear round-up
Speed Read For guaranteed style in the colder months and beyond, choose one, or perhaps two, pairs of these elegant, practical shoes
By The Week Staff Published
-
T’is the season: how Cara Delevingne does Christmas
In Depth As Jimmy Choo releases its holiday campaign led by Cara, the supermodel shares her festive traditions and party-season style
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Jimmy Choo's Sandra Choi: The Mod squad
In Depth The brand's creative director on how its latest collection is channelling the 1950s subculture
By Sandra Choi Last updated
-
Best foot forward: Gaziano & Girling
In Depth Tony Gaziano one half of the Savile Row and Kettering shoemakers talks about the company's early days and making a bespoke pair
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cheaney & Sons: The changing business of brogues
In Depth William Church of the Northampton-based shoemakers talks about the future of British-made brogues
By William Church Last updated
-
Embracing the rebel: Jimmy Choo's Sandra Choi
In Depth The brand's creative director on the inspiration behind its autumn/winter 2017 collection and her star-studded favourite boot
By Sandra Choi Published
-
Stepping out: John Lobb’s Levah gets an update
In Depth Paula Gerbase, artistic director of the British footwear brand, reveals the inspiration behind her latest take on a classic style
By Paula Gerbase Published
-
Crockett & Jones revolutionises "Russian grain" leather
In Depth Using an exclusive material produced in an English tannery, the British footwear specialist steps out with two hardwearing styles
By The Week Staff Last updated