# Celeb-Backed Bulbous Sneakers Justin Bieber is Shot Wearing Balenciaga's New Defender Sneaker By Niko Pajkovic | Published 2022-02-11 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/defender-sneaker References: [hypebeast](https://hypebeast.com/2022/2/justin-bieber-balenciaga-demna-campaign-defender-sneaker-first-look) & [balenciaga](https://www.balenciaga.com/en-gb) Spanish luxury fashion house [Balenciaga](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/basketball-sneaker-1) has tapped Justin Bieber for its latest Stef Mitchell-shot campaign. The new promotional photoshoot features the superstar musician rocking the label's soon-to-be-released Defender sneaker, which originally debuted during the brand's Spring/Summer 2022 runway show. According to the label, the sneaker is modeled after a rubber tire, which explains its distinctly rounded aesthetic and notably [bulbous soles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adidas-x-avavav-moonrubber-megaride). In addition, the shoe features a mesh construction and synthetic panels, lending them a retro-chic look. For the campaign, Bieber is shot wearing the shoes in 'Dirtied White,' which he has paired with a small fit t-shirt, Destroyed Skater jeans, a Skater belt, and a pair of [Bat Sunglasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upside-down-sunglasses). As a whole, Bieber's look has a grungy, '90s-era feel that is perfectly complemented -- and elevated -- by the Defender Sneaker. Image Credit: Stef Mitchell ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.1/10 - Popularity: 84% | Activity: 59% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Bulbous Sneakers Fashion:** The trend of designing bulbous sneakers is disrupting the traditional sneaker market, pushing fashion houses to experiment with unique and unconventional designs. - **Celebrity Endorsements in Fashion:** Celebrity endorsements are revolutionizing the marketing industry of the fashion world, providing unparalleled exposure and impact for brands. - **Retro-chic Look in Fashion:** The rise of retro-chic fashion is disrupting the fashion industry, with fashion houses exploring designs that reflect the styles of past decades with a modern twist. ### Who This Affects Most - **Luxury Fashion:** Luxury fashion houses like Balenciaga experiment with unique designs to stay ahead of the competition and create a distinct brand identity that appeals to the fashion-conscious consumer. - **Sportswear and Athletic Footwear:** The trend of unconventional sneaker design creates an opportunity for sportswear and athletic footwear brands to explore unique patterns, colors, and shapes that meet both performance and fashion needs. - **Eyewear Industry:** As celebrity fashion influences the industry, brands like Bat Sunglasses leverage endorsements like Justin Bieber's to create a strong visual brand identity and stay ahead of competitors in the eyewear market. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Dynamic Fashion-Forward Basketball Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/basketball-sneaker-1.md) - [Candy-Inspired Tonal Streetwear Launches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/candy-drop.md) - [Dynamic Ultra-High Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/platform-sneaker-1.md) - [Premium Technical Rugged Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hike-sneaker.md) - [Bubble-Like Sunglasses Drop](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upside-down-sunglasses.md) - [Bubble-Like Semi-Transparent Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/superstar-bubble.md) - [Chic Slim-Fit City Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balenciaga-city-sneaker.md) - [Bulbous Collaboration Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adidas-x-avavav-moonrubber-megaride.md) - [Basketball-Shaped Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-baller.md)