sneakers

Royal Elastics Re-Invents the Chukka Boot

One of our favorite new pairs of shoes is from a brand better known for streetwear than the sort of high style we normally go in for, but Royal Elastics' Brother Basil range of deconstructed chukka boots in various finishes has enough panache to go from nightclub to country club. A cross between a classic chukka boot and old-school sneakers, the Brother Basil features Royal Elastics' signature elastic lacing system and plastic toggle for ease of slipping on and off, along with an ultra-lightweight bottom unit and comfortable footbed. Our favorite version is this model finished in dark blue wool felt with a white sole – as elegant as a navy blazer with just the right touch of casual flair. At $85 they're priced pretty reasonably as well. Other variations come in charcoal wool, olive green leather, brown suede and more. Check them out in the company's online store.

Tags: boots, chukka boots, footwear, mens style, Royal Elastics, shoes, sneakers, wool sneakers

Barker Black Intros its More Affordable Spring/Summer 2011 Collection

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes, Men's Style, Modern Gentleman, Luxury Shopping

Barker Black Intros its More Affordable Spring/Summer 2011 Collection

If you like Barker Black shoes but your accountant doesn't like the cost of donning them, then the brand's Spring/Summer 2011 collection might be the appropriate middle ground. There are eight slippes in washed linen and woven silk wool, four suede moccasins and three high-top sneakers.

The slippers can be had in black, natural, navy, charcoal or purple and all will be embroidered with "Death" on one foot and "Glory" on the other, in a contrasting color. The sued mocs range from cobalt to green to snuff brown, adorned with a silver crossbone. And the silk-striped high-top sneakers will come in deerskin or calf depending on your choice of orange, green, grey, black or white hue.

Instead of the the $775 entry to Barker Black's standard line, this new collection begins at $425 for the moccasins, $495 for the slippers and $550 for the sneakers. Well, except for the Hartwell slip-on wingtip loafer (pictured) in antique honey calf, which takes you back up to $775. You can get those for your accountant - we have a feeling he'll let that expense slide. They'll be available from March at Barker Black stores and online.

Gallery: Barker Black Spring/Summer 2011 Collection

Tags: barker black, loafers, mens shoes, moccasins, shoes, sneakers, wingtip

Emporio Armani x Reebok EA7

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes

What happens when the Armani aesthetic comes to a sneaker? Emporio Armani EA7 and Reebok have created the EA7/Reebok ZigTech line. The Zig-Tech line is Reebok's line of shoes with distinctive zig-zag soles and this latest iteration is a continuation of the Armani/Reebok partnership which includes activewear and shoes. The whole line has a bit of a sci-fi-meets-sportwear aesthetic. Shown above is the rather architectural ZigLace shoe. The Reebok ZigPump which comes in silver with glossy patent inserts has midfoot strap to keep the foot in place and the classic Reebok pump mechanism.

Tags: armani, emporio armani, reebok, sneakers, zigtech

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Cole Haan FLX Collection

by Marsha Reid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Shoes

Just in time for spring and summer, Cole Haan has recently introduced their Cole Haan FLX Collection, which is designed to infuse comfort and durability with well styled accessories for men and women. All of the Cole Haan FLX shoes have NIKE AIR Technology in the heel for added cushioning and comfort as well as a lightweight and flexible rubber sole allowing you to walk in a more natural motion. Their line of women's shoes offers sandals, flats and sneakers. Some of our favorites are the Cole Haan FLX Air Vernonia ($128), which is a gladiator sandal that's available in black and silver metallic and the Cole Haan FLX Air Bandon ($108), a simple round toe ballet flat. Both styles are casual, super comfortable and versatile – making it ideal as your I-wear-them-everyday-and-still-look-great shoe.

Gallery: Cole Haan FLX Collection

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Tags: backpack, cole haan, FLX, sandals, shoes, sneakers, tote bag

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Isaia to Launch Sartorial Sneaker Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes, Men's Style

Isaia, one of the world's last remaining Neapolitan sartorial brands, known for its beautiful tailored clothing, is launching a luxe new line of sneakers that bridge the gap between dress and sport. The sartorial sneakers take the classic wingtip brogue dress shoe and give it a dose of sporty sprezzatura. They will be available in a variety of fabrics combining luxurious leathers, suede, wools, and even water-resistant cashmere, in rich hues of navy, camel, chocolate brown and shades of grey, with a patterned wool option available as well. The sneakers can also be custom ordered with specific suiting fabrics from the firm's made-to-measure tailoring program. All parts of the shoes are handmade, with the leather and fabric materials matched and dyed with all natural bee's wax. The new line will be available this fall at select stores including Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue with a suggested retail price of $425.

Tags: cashmere, Isaia, Isaia di Napoli, Italian fashion, Naples, sneakers, tailoring

Kobe Bryant's Aston Martin Edition Nike Hyperdunks

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Shoes, Men's Style, Celebrity Design

Value isn't a term typically bantered about by collectors. Value for such enthusiasts exists on a different plain. If something's a must-have, then they must have it, and that's the value. Take, for example, these special edition Nike Hyperdunk basketball shoes. Nike's only making 500 pair, and they're already trading for as much as $700.

So what makes these so special? Not the shoes themselves, but the feat they supposedly represent. A couple of years ago NBA all-star Kobe Bryant appeared in a video for Nike in which he appeared to have jumped over an Aston Martin roadster that was speeding right at him. In the middle of the playoffs, no less. Bryant looked to have cleared the car, and people went nuts. Of course it was all camera tricks, even if he actually is capable of theoretically pulling it off.

That's what these shoes celebrate. They've got Kobe's signature embossed on the inside of the tongue, and Aston Martin's winged logo on the outside. Are they worth seven bills? Well, that depends... to who?

Gallery: Nike Hyperdunk Kobe Bryant Aston Martin Edition

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Tags: aston martin, AstonMartin, basketball, kicks, kobe, kobe bryant, KobeBryant, nike, nike hyperdunk, NikeHyperdunk, shoes, sneakers, sneaks

Jimmy Choo Does Sneakers

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes

Jimmy Choo is taking things down a notch, literally, from sky-high stilettos to flat sneakers and trainers. The stilettos and heels aren't going anywhere, of course, but 8 sneaker designs made an unexpected appearance in amongst the towering sandals and boots of Jimmy Choo's pre-fall 2010 collection. Very urban glam, the shoes are mostly suede and snakeskin and feature both low-top and high-top versions. Expected to go over well with fashion experts and the public, it's great to see a designer stretching into new areas. £295-£395

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Tags: fall 2010, Fall2010, jimmy choo, JimmyChoo, shoes, sneakers

Colette Store Showcases Swarovski Crystal Treasures

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

We never tire of Swarovski crystal bedazzled items. If you are of a similar mind then the Colette shop is pretty much heaven right about now. They currently have a variety of tempting Swarovski collaborations up for sale featuring some of the most exciting names in design. There are curving jewelry pieces from Zaha Hadid, Cinderella-worthy pumps from Maison Martin Margiela, a surfboard from Quiksilver, water corks from Evian and baroque brooches from Christopher Kane. The glittering sneakers shown above are a special edition of the Jeremy Scott x adidas J-Wings and sell for 2,500 euros (only one size available).

[via The Pitch]

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Tags: colette, evian, quiksilver, sneakers, swarovski, swarovski crystals, swarovskicrystal, SwarovskiCrystals, zaha hadid, ZahaHadid

K-Swiss Classic High P in Limited Edition Colors

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes, Men's Style

K-Swiss has just released two limited-edition colors for its Classic Hi P hi-top men's shoe that are going to snazz up your wardrobe and add some glitter. Putting a metallic twist on its iconic, classic sneaker, the new colors are a patent red upper with a black sole and a bronze upper with white sole. Available online in U.S. sizes 7-13 (no 12.5). $115

Gallery: K-Swiss Classic High P in Limited Edition Colors

Tags: hi-top, hi-tops, KSwiss, mens shoes, MensShoes, shoes, sneaker, sneakers

Converse and Comme des Garçons Debut Chuck Taylors

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes, Men's Style

Comme des Garçons avant-garde designer and founder Rei Kawakubo has created four new versions of Converse's classic Chuck Taylors as part of the PLAY by Converse collection. The new styles launch at the end of this month, according to ELLE.

Kawakubo took inspiration from the Converse archives, borrowing a Chuck Taylor silhouette from the '50s that was designed for the U.S. military. Each pair has the Comme des Garçons PLAY heart on the side, making it unique (though some comments in the blogosphere note that these don't seem much different from any other Chucks except for the heart).

New York, Paris, London, Hong Kong and Seoul shoppers will be able to get them in the next week at select retailers that sell Comme des Garçons PLAY, and in October, everyone else can get them after a second launch in the same Comme des Garçons stores as well as at top Converse retailers in the U.S., Canada and China.

The four styles are available in high- or low-top, and in black or white canvas. $100

Tags: Chuck Taylors, ChuckTaylors, Comme des Garcons, CommeDesGarcons, Converse, footwear, shoes, sneakers

Gucci To Open Sneaker Pop-Up Stores

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes

DJ Mark Ronson is getting into his sister Charlotte's business, fashion design. Mark Ronson will be designing sneakers for Gucci's new pop-up stores, Gucci Icon-Temporary. The stores, devoted to sneakers, are expected to be around for just a couple of weeks. Stores will sell a collection of 18 sneaker styles and each store will feature one design by Mark Ronson. He told WWD that he is an avid sneaker collector and welcomed the chance to design his own. Those who buy Ronson's designs will also receive a 12" vinyl LP record featuring limited edition tracks. Sneakers in the stores will sell for $500 to $1,400. The first will appear in New York City on Crosby Street. Other locations will include London, Berlin, Paris, Hong Kong, Tokyo and the Art Basel Miami Beach event.

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Tags: Gucci, mark ronson, MarkRonson, sneakers

Converse Works WIth Missoni To Create Designer Sneakers

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes

The latest high-low collaboration involves Italian line Missoni and sneaker maker Converse. WWD reports that at Saturday's Missoni menswear show in Milan in addition to the fashion on the runway showing Angela Missoni spring/summer 2010 line, attendees got a first look at the Premium Chuck Hi Missoni which were worn by Tai Missoni. The sneakers will be part of the spring/summer 2010 line. Converse has done lines with many designers including Thome Browne.

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Tags: converse, missoni, sneakers

Mrs. Obama's Lanvin Sneakers

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes

Michelle Obama's fashion choices continue to raise eyebrows. Even her sneakers aren't safe. Michelle Obama and Jill Biden pitched in at a Feeding America event. Mrs. Obama wore a casual sweater, capri pants and a pair of shiny suede and pink metallic sneakers from Lanvin. It turns out that the sneakers with grosgrain ribbon laces cost $540 and this has tongues clucking. The NY Daily News reports that the kicks, which come in denim and satin versions have been selling well all season. Given that Mrs. Obama often wears shoes by Jimmy Choo and other expensive designers, it's not clear why the sneakers are so provocative. Is it because they are casual footwear? Given the controversy perhaps next tiime she'll head to J.Crew for the sneakers too, the most expensive pink Jack Purcell pair sells for $195.

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Tags: lanvin, michelle obama, MichelleObama, sneakers

Is Christian Louboutin Making A Sneaker?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes

The fashion world is buzzing about the prospect that Christian Louboutin, famed for red-soled high heels, is coming out with a sneaker. Grazia spotted the leopard-print high-tops at a press day event. No word on price yet but I'm guessing these will be hot sellers. Now the big question is whether or not the bottoms are red.

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Tags: christian louboutin, ChristianLouboutin, shoes, sneakers

$1,800 Thom Browne x Converse Sneakers

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes, Men's Style

Impish cutting edge men's designer Thom Browne has collaborated with classic sports shoe brand Converse on a limited edition pair of patchwork grosgrain ribbon sneakers. The quirky take on Converse's iconic canvas Jack Purcell model sells for $1,800 at so-hip-it-hurts Parisian boutique Colette. A pair of original canvas Jack Purcells, designed in 1935 by the badminton champ of the same name, runs about $40. The red, white and blue patchwork ribbon motif was used by Browne for one of his characteristically loopy men's suits in his spring fashion show. Men's style expert Alan Flusser, who called out President Obama's dodgy inauguration ball tuxedo, has dubbed Browne's out-there designs "irresponsible."

[via Valet]

Gallery: Converse by Thom Browne