department of what the what:

"The advancements in plastics and similar materials during the past 20 years have made it possible not only to mold a shoe to the foot, but to make shoes odor-resistant or perfume-scented. They are also better able to handle friction and sweat, which were a problem in the plastic shoes of the past. Pictured here is a limited edition boot designed by Zaha Hadid for Lacoste."

nytimes: "the reincarnation of the jelly shoe"