sneakers

Ace Hotel strikes again with a winning collaboration. The boutique hotel chain is perhaps one of the rare few in the hospitality industry with an impeccable taste in seeking out collaborators (Opening Ceremony should suffice as a testament). This time around in preparation for summer, the sun, the beach and the languid vacationers in Palm Springs, Ace Hotel had partnered up with Arkitip and Generic Surplus to create some cool (literally) and thoughtful kicks for long walks on the beach.
The classic low-top laced plimsoll silhouette is remixed with an interesting canvas mesh upper which lends some ventilation to dispel water, desert heat and unforgiving odor. The shoes dry quickly and come with non-slip soles that are convenient for the pool. The mesh upper sits atop vulcanized sole, rubber toe cap and spots bursts of color in eyelet and outsoles. The footliner is co-branded and the shoes are available in three monochrome basic shades of white, navy and grey. They are now available for order via Arkitip, so check them out because they are bound to come in handy when the sweltering heat kicks in. Stay the coolest (pun intended) kid on the block whether you are on the beach, uninvited at your neighbor’s pool or just roaming about town.
Read the rest of: Generic Surplus x Curated by Arkitip - Ace Hotel Palm Springs Mesh Sneakers

© Emily for Freshness Mag, 2010. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Add to del.icio.us
Post catergories: Collaboration, Shopping, Sneakers

Amazing singer, or train wreck, or both, or more, there is no denying Amy Winehouse has character and designers are quick to pick up on it. The British crooner who swept the world with her husky voice and adamant views about “Rehab” is not only known for her mangled nest of hair but had also inspired Karl Lagerfeld’s 2007 Chanel show.
After serving as a style icon for Chanel, Winehouse is taking a more active venture into fashion even though her music career is currently on hiatus. She has partnered up with heritage sportswear label, Fred Perry, and will be launching a capsule clothing collection this coming October together. According to Richard Martin, Fred Perry’s marketing direction, Winehouse has been wearing Fred Perry for years. The director believes that “[Winehouse] has a unique sense of style that reflects the brand’s own historical reference points”.
The capsule collection will consist of 17-pieces of girlish twinsets, slim pencil skirts, Capri pants, dresses and polo shirts. Thus far, the information released on the collection are sketches that sport v-neck plaid sweater mini-dresses, a gingham halter mini dress, and Fred Perry’s heritage jacket. Winehouse is heavily involved in the design process as she “gave crucial input on proportion, color and fit”, and according to Martin, “The range clearly has Amy’s handwriting”.
The collection is due to arrive in stores this coming October, so do stay tuned for more information and images to come! via: WWD
Read the rest of: Amy Winehouse for Fred Perry - Fall Capsule Collection | Preview

© Emily for Freshness Mag, 2010. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Add to del.icio.us
Post catergories: Apparel, Collaboration

Mentioned previously, the Spring and Summer 2010 Collection from New York-base label Supreme was made available at its online store this morning. In addition to the slew of outerwears, t-shirts, and accessories are transitional staples of button down shirts, sweatshirts, and of course hoodies. Fine cut & sewn intermixed with workers wear silhouettes like that of Chambray Work Shirt. Or fine lux material such as the French cotton terry found on the Striped Zip-Up Hoodie. As with all Supreme products, each is limited in number. These and the rest of the collection are now on sale at Supreme boutiques worldwide and its online store.
Read the rest of: Supreme - Spring/Summer 2010 Shirts + Sweats + Hoodies | Available Now

© Poe for Freshness Mag, 2010. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Add to del.icio.us
Post catergories: Apparel, Shopping

This announcement is slightly bittersweet as the NUMBER (N)INE For Converse comes both as a beginning and as an end, following the shutting down of the once beloved and coveted Japanese label. After the label took its final bow on the runway for its last show, “A Closed Feeling” (the Fall/Winter 2009 collection), it disbanded and the stores were set to close at the end of last year.
For fans of the label that did mourn the loss, the collaboration with Converse marks Takahiro Miyashita’s resurfacing in the scene and brings about a glad nostalgia. This collection includes Miyashita’s re-imagination of the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star and One Star for this season and the Converse Odessa for later this year.
For the Chuck Taylors, Miyashita wanted to create something “authentic and permanent”, and thus took a hybrid approach to the design. Crafted with a retro deconstructed look in mind, the shoes are made from premium dear skin with yellow shad suede upper. Miyashita incorporated Odessa’s system of asymmetrical lacing from the 70s and 80s into the design, almost creating something that is entirely new yet bearing an uncanny sense of familiarity for sneakerheads who know their Converse. Aside from the yellow All Star, there is also a One Star version also crafted from premium deer skin, but with white shad suede upper with a silver metallic star on the heel.
These shoes are, quite frankly, reminiscent of Miyashita’s NUMBER (N)INE style where everything was effortless, warm and comfortable like colorful knit cardigans and hacked-off cotton duck pants and pajama shirts that one might find from his or her grandfather’s closet.
The collection is due to release tomorrow on March 12 at select retailer such as Aloha Rag, Colette, Dover Street Market, Juice, Patta and UNDFTD.
Read the rest of: Number (N)ine For Converse

© Emily for Freshness Mag, 2010. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Add to del.icio.us
Post catergories: Collaboration, Converse, Shopping, Sneakers

Urbanites today may not have to trek miles on end just to get from one place to another, but it doesn’t mean they travel and roam the concrete jungle with any less baggage. To facilitate mobility and ease of commuting through the city, Puma’s Urban Mobility collection aims to fuse technology, function and fashion into one single collection that will serve urban wanderers well. Since Puma is no stranger to high-fashion collaborations (having worked with Alexander McQueen and Sergio Rossi), the Urban Mobility collection is directed by none other than Puma’s very own Creative Director, Hussein Chalayan who has been at the helm since 2008.
Chalayan is one of those designer with a fearless, experimental vision and does not compromise on luxurious sophistication. The St. Martin’s College of Art and Design graduate pushes fashion boundaries with innovative cuts and materials (his breakout show was a graduate collection consisting of decomposed silk dresses he buried and later exhumed for the show).
For his Urban Mobility Spring/Summer Collection, one of the fresh sneaker models that had been garnering a lot of attention is Chalayan’s re-imagined chukkah-inspired Motus sneaker. The Motus sneaker is crafted from intriguing inverted leather upper and extremely unadorned, championing a minimal, deconstructed look reminiscent of Scandinavian and Japanese design. Unlike other Puma sneaker one might be used to, the iconic racing stripe along the side is printed on as opposed to sewn on, giving the shoes a sleeker, flat, 2D look. Sitting atop white rubber soles, these vaporous grey sneakers look almost surgically clean and debunk the preconceptions of chukka being outdoorsy and rugged.
The Motus sneakers are now available for purchase via Revolve Clothing, so check them out if you are thinking of coping a pair of desert boot sneaker or chukka sneaker this season.
Read the rest of: PUMA Urban Mobility by Hussein Chalayan - Motus Sneaker

© Emily for Freshness Mag, 2010. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Add to del.icio.us
Post catergories: Collaboration, Puma, Shopping, Sneakers

The adidas Originals ladies gets a blast from the eighties past with a fresh pair of Ecstacy Hi from French graffiti artist, Fafi, who is known for her whimsical and provocative characters, Fafinettes. As previously mentioned, Fafi had joined the ranks of artists and designers to collaborate with adidas Originals, and this season she had designed a high-energy collection of footwear and apparel for girls who would rather be absolutely crazy than ridiculously boring. The new Ecstacy Hi is ultra-glam in multicolored sequins mixed with metallic lavender and powder blue leather, with silver logos on the ankle. These retro-fabulous sneakers are limited in production and are now available for order online at colette.
Read the rest of: adidas Originals x Fafi - Limited Edition Ecstacy Hi Fafi

© Emily for Freshness Mag, 2010. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Add to del.icio.us
Post catergories: Art & Design, Colette, Collaboration, Shopping, Sneakers, adidas Originals

For those who did not get the opportunity to purchase the new Spring/Summer 2010 Collection from the venerable urban label Supreme, the New York City-base icon just unveiled the collection in its entirety at its online store this morning.  More a dozen or so of revamped classics, including the M-51 Jacket, an updated variant based on the U.S. Army standard issued.  Another Summer time classic is the Crusaders Nylon Varsity, lightweight yet versatile enough deflect wind and rain.  As always, supplies are limited for each item, the Supreme Spring/Summer 2010 Outerwear Collection is now available at all Supreme boutiques around the world and its official online store.
Read the rest of: Supreme - Spring/Summer 2010 Outerwear | Available Now

© Poe for Freshness Mag, 2010. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Add to del.icio.us
Post catergories: Apparel, Shopping

Fashion art magazine, MUSE, had channeled Terry Richardson for its Spring 2010 issue not just by recruiting the incorrigibly (and unapologetically) salacious photographer to shoot Mariacarla Boscono for the cover, but also to use the provocative image from the shoot for a limited edition commemorative skate deck. The limited edition “VIVA” skate deck is created hand in hand with Art Print. While one side is a innocent graffiti rendition of this season’s theme (also as seen on the cover), the flip side sports a topless Boscono in a suggestive stance. Put a little sass into your game and skate in the buff this season–that is if you can get your hands on one of the 30 copies produced! These are still available for order online at colette if you want to bring a little bit of Richardson with you about town.
Read the rest of: MUSE x Art Print x Terry Richardson - Limited Edition “Viva” Skateboard

© Emily for Freshness Mag, 2010. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Add to del.icio.us
Post catergories: Colette, Collaboration, Gears, Shopping

With its signature solar array wings, the Imperial T.I.E. Fighter is by far the most advance Imperial starfighter during the Galactic Civil War. Equipped with powerful Twin Ion Engines (T.I.E.), the fighters excelled at interception and interdiction, literally swarmed in for the kill on unsuspecting Rebel Alliance fleet. Its speed and agility also meant no creature comfort for the Imperial pilots. The Spartan-esque cockpit had no life support. Instead, pilots carried their own life support within their flight suit.
Read the rest of: Star Wars x adidas Originals Nizza Hi - Vehicle Collection | TIE Fighter Edition

© Poe for Freshness Mag, 2010. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Add to del.icio.us
Post catergories: Collaboration, Shopping, Sneakers, adidas Originals

These might not enrich your taste buds, but these new Nike Air Royalty Macarons series kicks are nonetheless sweet and spice and everything nice. Fashioned after one of the most coveted delicate French cookies, macarons, the new Nike Air Royalty series is dressed in candy pastel shades with equally tasty names. These hi-top kicks in raspberry, pistachio, lemon and white are created tonal and minimal. The only stand out details are plays on texture– the raised 3D Swoosh and Nike logo on tongue and indented embossed logo on ankle. They are crafted in the same shade from toe to ankle and soles to laces. The series are due to drop at colette this weekend on March 13 and there will be a culinary design workshop, cooklette #6, to go along with the shoes (guests can compete to make the most creative macaron sculpture). Check out the color-happy Air Royalty that will be perfect for girls and this season’s ultra-feminine pastel ruffle and lace dresses and remember to check back with Colette this weekend for their release! via: Shoes-Up
Read the rest of: Nike Air Royalty Macarons

© Emily for Freshness Mag, 2010. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Add to del.icio.us
Post catergories: Nike, Shopping, Sneakers

A few seasons ago, deck shoes were aged summer classic for men who lounge on yachts and stroll languidly along docks. Then, deck shoes alongside other heritage silhouettes such as the desert boot speckled the urban landscape when men started cuffing their denim and chinos around last summer. Eventually, the deck shoes started transforming into a new entity that is urban-ready and hip, especially with help from one of the original labels that kick started hipster cool into high gear– Band of Outsiders.
The collaboration between Band of Outsiders and Sperry Top-Sider has been so extremely well received and loved that the duo had returned season after season with new material and construction that never fail to please and surprise. As the collaboration’s Spring/Summer 2010 collection is now available, Freshness had the pleasure of previewing the upcoming Fall/Winter 2010 collection.
Just like last season, the duo remixed the summer staple with winter appropriate materials so the effortlessly casual low-top shoes can make the unforgiving cold bearable and let its wearer hang on to a little bit of summer. While last year was all about flannel, suede and water-resistant leather, this year, the duo brought the perennial fall favorite, corduroy, on board. Deck shoes, penny loafers and hi-top remakes of the deck-shoes (with added puffed ankle collars) are color-blocked in suede. Aside from corduroy, another standout line-up is the furry shearling pairs that are cream and fluffy on the outside and supple on the inside. These furry numbers also come in an “inside out” version where it’s fur-lined on the inside and smooth on the outside. Last but not least, the hi-top versions have also been remixed in polyester and are slightly reminiscent of winter puffers—street appropriate and quite effortlessly cool with the right shade of denim.
Enjoy the preview and stay tuned for more information as they drop in stores next season!
Read the rest of: Sperry Top-Sider x Band Of Outsiders - Fall/Winter 2010 | Preview

© Emily for Freshness Mag, 2010. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Add to del.icio.us
Post catergories: Collaboration, Footwear, Review

Another new shoe that joins Nike’s new Air Attack Pack is this Nike Air Max Tailwind 2010, a new Nike Running shoe that provides a smooth comfortable ride. The Air Max Tailwind 2010 features Nike’s Air-Sole technology that is designed to provide exceptional impact protection by compressing easily on contact and offering a smoother ride. The Air-Sole unit that is in the heel also helps provide for more support while running. And last but not least the Nike Air Max Tailwind 2010 comes equipped with Nike + so that you can run with it while listening to some of your favorite songs on your Apple iPod. There are five colorways of the Nike Air Max Tailwind 2010 that are a part of the Nike Air Attack Pack and you can pick them up now at Niketowns, Nike Stores, NikeStore.com, and Eastbay.
Read the rest of: Nike Air Max Tailwind 2010 - Air Attack Pack

© liquidrice for Freshness Mag, 2010. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Add to del.icio.us
Post catergories: Nike, Sneakers