Pooling from its vast archives, Berluti is introducing two new styles of refined footwear. One option, the Brunico 2019, is a leather boot designed with an oversized buckle strap, inspired by the ski boots Hollywood icon Greta Garbo wore in the ’30s. Meanwhile, the Alessandro 1895 is a new style that references some of the Italian designer’s history and outfits the shoe in a single piece of supple leather with no visible seam—a signature of the brand.
For its newest holiday range, American heritage shoemaker Florsheim looked to its history. Inspired by the brand’s neon signs from its stores in the ’30s, the Fuel Reflect Capsule Collection captures the spirit of the season with several glossy shoe styles. In addition to the retro-futuristic holographic styles, there are also three glossy brogue styles available in red, green, and blue. The festive update to the traditional men’s formal footwear renders the new range ideal for any and all upcoming holiday festivities.
“We are truly excited to launch our Fuel Reflect collection this holiday season as it is a unique and unexpected collection from Florsheim,” John Florsheim, president of the brand, said in a statement. “With this new capsule, we stepped outside of an everyday color pallet, and the materials we used were combined with our latest silhouette that utilizes the modern EVA sole for comfort and look.”
The Florsheim Fuel Reflect Capsule Collection is available now.
The latest in an ongoing collaboration with Adidas, British designer Stella McCartney is launching a second iteration of its class Stan Smith sneakers for its Spring 2020 campaign. As McCartney continues to pivot towards sustainability, the shoe is entirely vegan — leather-free, cruelty-free, and entirely biodegradable. Paying homage to both namesake designers, the unisex footwear features Stan Smith’s face on the tongue of the right shoe with McCartney’s face on the tongue of the left shoe. The laces are replaced for a whimsical rainbow palette in addition to a gradient palette that shows through the classic three-stripe pattern — these playful colorways are inspired by the designer’s Spring 2020 ready-to-wear collection shown in Paris during Fashion Week.
To celebrate a decade of the popular Himalayan shoe, Camper has commissioned the idiosyncratic German designer Bernhard Willhelm to add his own spin to the footwear. Known for his eccentric and irreverent pieces, Willhelm was inspired by football socks for the collab and combined technical and functional knit fabrics with his unique vision — shoe proportions were exaggerated to new knee-high heights and a dynamic monochrome geometric print is veiled by mohair exterior. Furthermore, alongside these updated Himalayan sneakers, CamperLab stores will carry a limited range of Willhelm’s pieces. We caught up with the designer to talk about what makes a perfect shoe.
EH: What are the challenges of working with a sneaker as opposed to other apparel?
Nowadays it’s totally equivalent to do all in a sneaker. Hot chicks and dudes don’t want to ruin their feet anymore for the sake of vanity.
EH: The shoe was inspired by footwear socks, but there’s a definite whimsy to its design. Can you elaborate a little about what the process of making the shoe was like?
It has been a collaboration for 10 years. We created a BW x Camper classic the Himalayan trainer with the wave sole which all the new designs are based on. Camper has a new trainer factory in Vietnam. In order to make the shoes lighter, we used a new sole construction (less material on the inside) and lighter more stable composite. New uppers include velcro sandals with woven bands based on Obi bands and also knitted socks upperparts with new materials and knit technologies. (furry ‘goat ‘ fish skin structure, grading dyes, dip dye) All pretty new stuff. Also important, it’s unisex, recognizable, and pretty forward in design. There’s a relaxed attitude and a spiritual attitude also an interesting shape and a playfulness in graphics and colors/color interaction.
EH: What makes a perfect shoe?
Cowboy and cowgirls riding on a horse. Here the Mohican comes in violently.
Whether you’re a total hypebeast or you’ve never bought your own clothes, Converse remains a universal footwear favorite. Plus, the all-American brand has found a way to fit in that rare sweet spot between ‘retro classic’ and ‘always trendy’ for at least 20 years. This phenomenon is definitely emphasized with the release of an Archive Print collection, a throwback line of shoes that recalls some of the finest printed styles from the brand’s extensive arsenal.
The collection is available in a variety of different Converse styles including the classic Chuck 70, Lucky Star, and One Star Academy. The camouflage print — in 1983, this was the first print they ever used — has been rounded out in a modern twist. A simple but effective flame print is available in both black and white shoes, some distressed for emphasis, to ensure that even your feet are able to enjoy the tail-end of #HotGirlSummer. And if you’re looking for a glam/punk/rock moment (literally who isn’t), leopard print shoes deliver on all fronts. In true Converse fashion (since 1908), there’s something for everyone.
The Converse Archive Prints collection is available in select stores and online now. Check out some of the styles in the gallery above.
For Byredo‘s latest summer presentation, the Swedish fragrance-turned-fashion label opted for a non-tradition show format and instead staged a fake NBA draft in a basketball court. Also in tune with this athletic theme, the designer premiered a new leather sneaker inspired by vintage basketball footwear from over 100 years ago. Crafted with leftover leather from the label’s past collections, there’s a nostalgic quality to the shoes that’s also very fitting with the current sustainability wave that’s infiltrating the industry as a whole. We caught up with brand founder Ben Gorham to learn a little more about the shoe’s design and what makes a perfect sneaker.
EH: Can you talk about what went into the design of the shoe?
BG: There was this idea of referencing the first early models of basketball shoes, some of them over 100 years old so this very classic sneaker, using a vulcanized system. And the initial idea I had was to harness the scraps leftover from our bag production. So those were stitched over together in patchworks, comprising the upper of the shoe. Then we worked a lot on the detailing of foxing and the toe box. But it was really about salvaging these leftovers from our handbag collections, which are all made of leather.
EH: What do you think makes a perfect sneaker?
BG: That question has become harder and harder to answer I think, with the escalation of sneaker culture. But for me, I think something truly timeless, something you feel that transcends trends, something that you can pull out of your closet in like 5 years, and most of the sneakers when I look at my own collection, most of the sneakers check those boxes.
EH: The leftover leather aspect was something I didn’t know about. Is sustainability something that’s always been important for the brand?
BG: I think our approach to sustainability is mostly found in this idea that we try to make products of really high quality, so they stand the test of time. I’m a firm believer that we should buy less, and of a higher quality. I think the sneaker was built in that spirit.
EH: Are there any sneaker trends you’re excited about or any that you’re not?
BG: I think brands like Nike and seeing the work they’ve done with designers — I’m excited about that because this new wave of young designers has been given a certain level of freedom to create sneakers that are interesting and pushing the envelope. So I’m excited about designer collaborations. I’m less excited about the fact that the popularity of the sneaker has grown to the point where everybody makes a sneaker. I think that the product still needs to have a reason for being.
EH: Are you excited by streetwear/athleisure as a whole?
BG: I grew up with streetwear. I moved to Toronto when I was 11. Finished High school in New York. those early waves in the 90s that streetwear was kinda how I came up. It’s interesting seeing it kinda full circle. Sneaker culture is obviously a big part of that but I don’t think I ever imagined it would become as mainstream as it is today.
This week in sneakers: Italian footwear designer Giuseppe Zanotti has cast hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd in a campaign for its newest limited-edition sneaker. The Blabber sneaker range boasts a minimal but luxurious design — monochromatic styles are available in textured snakeskin leather, black canvas, or a subtle tartan print, with an exposed zipper detail embellishing the shoe’s spine. The utilitarian design is a contrast to the dynamic energy of the chart-topping group, but that’s the point — the simplicity only amplifies the wearer’s own charisma.
The Blabber FW19 collection is available in select stores and online now. Check out the video campaign below.
Last year’s Converse x JW Anderson Glitter Gutter collection was one of the biggest launches since the British designer started collaborating with the footwear brand back in 2017. If you weren’t able to cop a pair in time, don’t despair because the collab is returning this summer in all its sparkling splendor. The new range features two styles — the classic Chuck 70 and newer Run Star Hike — that are brighter and funkier than their predecessors. The Chuck 70 is available in 4 colorways and complete with fuzzy laces that add an extra dose of surrealism to the all-American shoe. The Run Star Hike model (a hybrid of regular Chuck and Runner) has an amplified sole that makes it flexible and durable, and give an extra bit of oomph to classic running gear.
The new Converse x JW Anderson collection will be available in stores and online tomorrow. Check out some of the styles below.
Despite it technically being Spring, it’s still rainy as all hell — so much for April showers — but luckily Opening Ceremony and Columbia have you covered with a fresh new unisex collection. For Spring ’19 the pair decided to resurrect some of Columbia’s greatest outerwear pieces from its extensive archives, and the results radiate in all their neon-ombre and leopard-print glory that’s perfect for festival season.
The outerwear is light and functional — each piece is packable so you can stow it away while the sun is out. And following previous collaborations, this marks the first time OC and Columbia have partnered on a shoe. Updating the Columbia hiking boot with a neon pink accent, it’s the perfect footwear for taking the outdoors in style.
The OC x Columbia Spring ’19 collection launches in select stores and online on Thursday, May 9. Check out some of the looks below.
Supreme continues to expand its influence with its latest collaboration with Timberland. Launching today, the newest collection between the two streetwear giants takes the popular Timberland 3 Eye classic style and updates it with a stylish leopard-print makeover in calf-hair. The bold footwear is also available in all black for a more subdued look. Supreme is known for its frequent high-key collaborations (which have a tendency to sell out instantly), and its partnership with Timberland is a perfect balance of daring street influence with a durable traditional shoe, ensuring that it will last long beyond the hype.
The Supreme x Timberland 3-Eye Classic Lug shoe is available online now.
After launching a highly successful pop-up shop on Mercer Street in 2017, Onitsuka Tiger has moved to a permanent space in SoHo. Founded in 1949, the Japanese footwear brand remains one of the countries oldest and resurged in popularity during the early aughts when vintage sneaker fever started to set in. Additionally, Quentin Tarantino asked the brand to bring back one of its signature models for Uma Thurman to wear in Kill Bill — you know the ones.
The new 1100-square-foot flagship store boasts an open layout and carries a line of merchandise exclusive to the shop, including limited-edition sneakers, a NIPPON MADE collection of Japanese-made shoes, and children’s footwear. Following the opening of the first standalone US store, the brand will also open a showroom in the city later this summer.
Onitsuka Tiger is open now at 276 Lafayette Street, NY 10012.
After making their debut during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris, the Valentino x Birkenstock sandals are available now. By using Birkenstock’s popular Arizona style, the Italian label updated the footwear with designer branding, embellishing the leather footwear with a bold ‘VLTN’ stamp — basically the perfect marriage of style and comfort.
