CONVERSE ADDICT SPRING 2011 JAPAN

 

Converse Addict recently designed a Japan specific line which will be released as part of the Spring 2011 collection. Featuring slightly worn/desaturated looks these Chuck Taylors also offer additional zebra and leopard pattens. These will be available at select Converse Addict stores and possibly online too so keep a look out. Not sure about the leopard for myself but I could make those zebra printed high-tops work nicely.

SOURCE: HYPEBEAST

WISHLIST: BUTTERO SANDALS

Nicknamed "The Jesus Sandal" the strappy men's sandal has become the new staple. With plastic flip-flops the look will always lean towards a lazier and casual look. That said I own Havaiana's and wear them proudly, but a leather strapped sandal can transform what would be a Saturday morning Woodstock stroll in shorts and a tee, to a more evolved version. Team it with shorts or jeans and try it with a light shirt instead. The above boot is on my coveted list and is from the Buttero Spring/Summer 2011 look book.

THE 'BALMAIN BOOT' LOOK

One of my favorite looks to come out of fashion week (and by that I mean outside of fashion week) was the varsity jacket look as photographed above. Since said jacket is already on my wishlist and it's a bit difficult to locate locally, I have moved my attention towards the boot. The whole look has already been nicknamed the Balmain boot look since they released it in their 2010 and 2011 campaigns. When the 'Gas' boot appeared before me I immediately thought of this look. Of course you're in luck for two reasons, firstly this boot was made locally by Bronx shoes, and secondly they retail for a measly R649! I'm still on the lookout for a black pair though.

Now it's just a matter of locating the varsity jacket but while I'm in the U.S in April I will scout around for a more affordable version to Balmain, although obviously it would sit pretty well in my wardrobe.

Get cracking people because it won't be long before it's cold enough and you can wear what you want again! For additional information about Bronx visit their website or call 021 590 7000. 

UPDATE: These boots are also available in black from Bronx.

{Top image courtesy of mymanybags}

MONITALY MOCCASINS

If you saw my collection you would understand my taste in unusual shoes. While moccasins are not a new style since they originated from the Native Americans, they are somewhat unusual for the modern city dweller. But they are becoming popular come Winter time. A moccasin is a slipper made of deer skin or other soft leather and was originally made up of one piece of leather for both the sides and the bottom. Spring forward to 2011 and Monitaly have reintroduced a few beautiful pairs of their own, quite similar to a loafer.

If you're not into a low cut slipper style how about their boot and moccasin hybrid? It's not nearly cold enough for these in our parts but I love these as a casual alternative to an Ugg boot. What do you think of these?

Available here!

source: highsnobiety, selectism

MISSONI AND HAVAIANAS COLLABORATION

Surely set to race out of stores the minute they are available, Missoni have teamed up with 'slop' greats Havaianas to produce the above photographed shoes. And not only have they done their own version of the classic flip-flop but also a great espadrille and we already know the espadrille is likely to follow though for another season or two.

DIY SHOES WITH T&F SLACK

Tim and Fiona Slack aim to take classic styles to the future. They have worked hard at putting love into their shoes and their marriage since the 1970s , back then they were called Walker shoes but today they trade under the name T&F Slack. Bringing forward the Gibson and 5 eye-lit Derby shoe shapes into 2011 and beyond, but adding bursts of colour in odd but pleasing combinations.

I love the look of a perforated shoe. These come with an underlying colour of your choosing, but how, I hear you ask? In addition to their own available styles you also get the opportunity to play designer with their easy-to-use system available in Liberty, Selfridges and their Notting Hill store in London.

IMAGES FROM COOLHUNTER

Edible fashion? Well, sort of.

Edible fashion? Well, sort of. Imagine the temptation of walking around with sweets on your feet. I don't reckon much but it is certainly still interesting that Converse have plans to release these shoes for 2011. It's from the Converse Japan Spring 2011 Collection preview. I'm not mad on printed canvas shoes personally but having owned those checkerboard Vans in 2002 when I was a wee lad, so I can see the appeal for a younger person. Still, would you walk around with these Oyatsu Slip-On Candy Pack shoes?
Image from Highsnobiety

The Summer staple: Espadrilles

By the time Summer comes around we are far too involved with which suntan oils to use or which beach to go to. These are valid of course, but while you are out having fun it is not ideal to wonder about what shoes to wear, too. What you need is something easy and light to carry around. Something fashionable, adaptable of course to all sorts of looks you may decide to rock while you’re enjoying the sun...

Read the rest here >>

Corthay - Bottier à Paris

The night Bafana Bafana played Mexico I ran off into the vibrant, busy city that once was Cape Town and attended a Trunk Show in the Cape Grace Hotel Bar 'Bascule lounge'. With only half an hour before the game I entered the bar with a strategy but was suddenly distracted by a long selection of shoes. And not just shoes, but Bespoke Parisian shoes by Pierre Corthay.



The green wonders are my favorite and retailed for more than R10 000 but what's money, really? At the end of the day, no matter your current budgetary concerns, quality should always be important. If not... rather go without!

Marc Jacobs quilted high-tops

Following a legion of design houses releasing high-top sneakers (Vuitton and Gucci just to name two) Marc Jacobs has released his own version. I think out of all that I've seen these are the nicest and most understated. Certainly a pair that would look great however you wore it. The neon straps from Vuitton, however nice are limiting.



In fact, Marc Jacobs has a history with the quilted effect as it carries into his menswear from the very popular quilted bags he designs for ladies-wear. The burgandy/blood red high tops were available last year for $600 but I imagine like those, the new ones will sell out fast too. They are however just a preview so keep your eyes peeled for a release date.



{source: highsnobiety}

Converse Designer Partnerships

All-American shoe staple 'Converse' have teamed up with a variety of designers to come up with a classic shoe with a designer twist. These are just some of the looks but I expect many more to follow. Paul Smith in a stripe would be nice!

Who would you like to see design a pair of Chuck Taylors?

Wishlist: Miharaysuhiro leather sandals

I heart - converse high-tops for Valentines Day

This Valentines day toss aside your beef for the most commercially exploited day of the year. Give the gift of love! Give the gift of Converse!




With the special release of these Product (RED) I heart high-tops you can always just be your own valentine! This and other styles are available online here.



Getting in on the theme of love is Supra with these Heartbreaker Skytops. Ltd Mag got a closer look at the Agenda show and took the last photo for detail. This pair of Supra Skytops have been dubbed the Hearbreaker, and sport a 100% red canvas upper which sits atop a white vulcanized sole. The shoes also sport waxed shoe laces, a Supra logo on the heel, and a broken heart hang tag.



{source: kicksonfire}

Louboutin you Stud, you!

It's all over the fashion world right now. Studs. And I don't mean of the model variety. Women's bags, belts and heels swiftly made it's way onto the interest of menswear too. First we spotted the Rollerball Loafer (although this website sells a ladies version?) and then Givenchy showed us a Greek Gladiator styled version.

What I've noticed in print media and the blogosphere is the new presence of the stud on virtually anything imaginable. I'm not surprised either, and wouldn't be if I started seeing young fashion students sticking them on their gear. I know I would.



Carlos of My fabulous Bag has not only the above photographed shoe but the Python skin we mentioned before. And my friend over at 00o00 Blog often shows sneakers produced by shoe giant Christian Louboutin. So then the question is where is it available? When stars like Mika and Pharell Williams (the white studded high-tops) are wearing them out and about it's only a matter of time until it's available to the rest of us.

Wishlist - Check!

It was only a few months ago but these simple Boat shoes from D&G still make my heart flutter. So you can imagine my surprise when I walked into ZOOM of all places and saw three different boat shoe styles that I loved. Carbon Copies no doubt but like I care?

These were almost identical but you can see their similarities a mile away. The going price? R499-- about a 10th of the D&G price. Uhm... Yes please!

Wishlist- Check!

Those Paul Smith Desert Boots I wanted and mentioned HERE are finally residing beside my Paul Smith Brogues and Boots at home! They are the perfect accessory in all their tan goodness! Worn here with a white shirt, rolled up jeans and folded up sleeves.

The Desert Boot returns

This fashion must-have may appear odd to the first glance but I assure you when worn properly this look can serve you well. The Desert boot- or 'veld skoen' as it's affectionately named here in South Africa has been around for a long time. As seen here by Clarks in their celebration of 60 years of the Desert Boot.





But it's Paul Smith (of course) who produced the best version in my opinion. These fantastic scuffed Achilles Desert Boots are hot!

Made in Suede this shoe comes in Oakwood and Sigaro, but I've battled to find them online. I believe there are still some left in the Paul Smith store.The dip dye process consists of the uppers being immersed in dyes and tumbled in large wooden drums to colour the upper leather, lining and stitching.







And the how would you wear this shoe?



http://www.tobi.com
http://www.thebureaubelfast.com
http://www.men.style.com

Lanvin la vida loca

If my mother knew how expensive these shoes are perhaps I'd have a stern letter in my inbox by morning. No jokes. Lanvin, although fantastic is quite pricey considering import duties on clothing to South Africa. But nonetheless Apsley in Johannesburg stocks a couple pairs anyway. Which is fantastic for us!

These beaded beauties were released some time around April in Europe but only recently made their way to our shores. They retail for R10,400. Yeah. But they are the coolest high-top sneakers I've had in my possession a while, perhaps since these!

They also came in two other colours but I personally think that the Blue is a much better option. It's more neutral and wearable on a daily basis. My only concern would be if those little beads came bouncing off...

Givenchy Gladiator studded shoes

Remember these Pierre Hardy shoes I coveted last year? Well it seems that Givenchy have gone and put their own spin on this shoe as seen on JakandJil. The studded shoe is making big waves on the fashion scene with jackets and shoes and even denim and so it's not a big surprise that men got in on it too. And it's so high-fashion one wonders just who will wear it?

Riccardo Tisci’ s S/S 10 collection was a “homage to Michael Jackson”. Before you roll your eyes, Tisci had been commissioned by Jackson’s ‘people’ to design (and one would imagine have finished) the costumes for Jackson’s up coming concert dates in London

I definitely would. Wishlist, anyone?

Courtesy of JakandJilblog and Imelda.com.au