Guide Into 2010: Foot Fetish

As 2009 rapdily approaches its end, we’re highlighting footwear brands that have caught our attention of the last several months and who you need to keep a eye on for 2010. The majority of the selected ‘fetishes’ are high-tops, as that being the direction of where the industry is going but also what looks really good on our feet and yours, from Los Angeles Android Homme to Italy’s Volta #777, we’re setting you on the good foot and hoping you take on the world in the new year the right way. Enjoy!

Android Homme – Propulsion II

They say space is the final frontier but from the look of things, the final frontier may now be located in the heart of Los Angeles. Crafted from the minds of Javier Laval and Jerry Lorenzo Manual comes the 2nd season of Android Homme. This is the 1st of 3 installments previewing the collection being shipped at the end of the month as the Holiday 2009 collection.

Android Homme announce the Propulsion II as part of the Holiday 2009 Collection. The duotone silhouette takes inspiration from the sleekness of a rocket ship, including a rocket booster ripple detail along the backside of the hi-top. The Propulsion II embodies a +/- charge, or a yin and yang polarity and is offered in a limited run of 200 pairs total. Features include full grain pebbled and pounded leathers and pigskin lining, as well as an embossed single strap and waxed laces.

The logo inspiration of the pyramid derives from the divine proportion, the physical nature that keeps the harmony and unity of the universe. The ascension points towards the creator or your higher self. It represents the mind, body, and spirit, all of which keep us conscious.

The Android Homme Holiday 2009 collection will be available December 1st in finer boutiques nationwide. For more information please visit www.androidhomme.com

Converse (PRODUCT)RED Leather Jacket Chuck Taylor All Star

The Converse (PRODUCT)RED Leather Jacket Chuck Taylor All Star shoe debuted on December 1st at The (RED) Store locations in New York, San Francisco and London. Made up of a patchwork of motorcycle jacket inspired red leather, the shoe comes complete with a quilted lining, heavy-duty zips and snaps and a leather rand with clean emboss detail. The shoe is available in a high-top, red leather version and launches globally at temporary locations of The (RED) Store in New York City, San Francisco and London on World AIDS Day, December 1st as well as converse.com and select retailers globally. Shoes will retail for $200 and will be available in unisex sizing.

Ten percent of the net wholesale price of the shoe will go to The Global Fund help eliminate AIDS in Africa, giving consumers an opportunity to become agents of change. The overall goal is to raise overall awareness of the issue and generate money to support Global Fund financed AIDS grants in Africa, the region hardest hit with this pandemic. To date, (RED) partners, including Converse, have generated more than $135 million for the Global Fund and this money has supported programs that have reached more than four million people affected by HIV in Africa.

Deluxe & Vans Chukka Holiday 2009

After working last season on the Sk8 Hi, Deluxe this year chose the Chukka Boot, here’s a detailed look at the Deluxe and Vans Chukka for Holiday 2009. The sneaker comes in a navy leather/suede colorway with white outer sole and a light brown leather accent stripe on the heel, matching the leather lining. It was released on November 8th.

Gravis Lowdown HC Deluxe

Gravis has released a nice premium version of its Lowdown HC – the Lowdown HC Deluxe. The high top sneaker comes in brown and in white, with both featuring a crocodile skin upper, gold and silver applications, as well as other nice details. The sneakers are now available from Flauge.

Hussein Chalayan x Puma Spring/Summer 2010 Collection

We get a look at some upcoming sneaker styles and from the Hussein Chalayan x Puma Spring/Summer 2010 Collection. Chalayan joined Puma in February 2008 as their creative director, when the German company also acquired a majority stake in his signature fashion brand. The arrival of Chalayan marked a new direction at Puma, since he is the first fashion designer to be appointed as creative director of a major sports label in what is envisaged as a long-term collaboration rather than a one-off effort. The designer presents a Chukka and a high top sneaker as part of the Urban Mobility Spring/Summer 2010 Collection that was launched back in August. Two high top designs are previewed, each focusing on the innovative technical spirit associated with PUMA’s Urban Mobility program. A release can be expected next season in 2010.

Mors Footwear Collection

Mors is a new sneaker brand creating high quality, stylish footwear with a fresh perspective. Future classics inspired by iconic individuals, stylish products and retro futurism. Mors offers a wearable and exclusive product handcrafted from premium materials. Mors is the concept of Jonathan Mors. Jonathan is an experienced footwear designer and has worked for international brands including adidas and Nike. He found inspiration for Mors within vintage science fiction, iconic personalities and classic products.

Crafted in Portugal by traditional factories, Mors footwear is detailed to the best standard from the highest quality leather. Butter soft and strong arctic elk leather is used on many of the products. Mors has avoided the temptation to cut corners with cheap materials and cheap labor.

At first only two styles will be released in a selection of luxury leathers, the ‘hoop’ high top sneaker and ‘net’ low cut tennis sneaker. The ‘hoop’ will be available in premium elk leather, soft elk suede and white premium calfskin, the ‘net’ will be available in white premium calfskin. Both will be available from the Mors online store. More inspirational materials and styles will follow.

View more images of Mors footwear

Nike Sportswear Air Royal Mid “Metro Pack”

Nike Sportswear introduced the Air Royal Mid, featured in a more “high-fashion” look with heavy doses of black patent leather offset by a black suede toe area. Other features include a perforated Swoosh, light grey mid-sole, black laces and tonal tongue patch.Now available at Kix-Files.

View more of Nike Sportswear Air Royal Mid “Metro Pack”

Palladium presents Oil of LA with Peter Sutherland

Following a successful relaunch, Palladium – maker of the iconic Pampa boot – have introduced its new Winter 2009 collection, featuring premium grade leather and rich low nap suede, along with a new image campaign with photography by Peter Sutherland. In addition to new Winter product, Palladium released Oil of LA, part 4 of an ongoing short form documentary series entitled Uneven Terrain. In this series, Palladium explores hidden and abandoned urban places in search of unique stories.

Palladium went in search of Los Angeles’ hidden oil secrets, uncovering hollow buildings and flower painted towers with hidden oil wells where you’d least expect them. Palladium found the elusive drills that pump miles underground to pockets of oil in Beverly Hills and that line the entire city. Three billion dollars worth of oil comes out of Los Angeles every year and you can barely see evidence of this. Oil of LA features Nate Harrington, an LA based DJ, photographer and creator of the ‘zine Constantly Pregnant. Harrington, who also works at the selectively curated Family Bookstore on Fairfax Avenue, put his boots on and went exploring, to find the structures that produce the oil that keeps LA moving.

VIRTUE Worldwide, the creative and branding agency of VICE, created the Exploration campaign for Palladium Boots. Sutherland, whose work employs some of the techniques of traditional documentary photography to capture the hidden beauty of ordinary objects and everyday situations, documented the explorations of the VIRTUE documentary film crew, as they traveled across the country. “VIRTUE shares our belief that brand communication has to happen these days through compelling story telling and not just catchy slogans,” says Barney Waters, VP of Marketing for Palladium Boots.

Oil of LA, along with three other explorations will be available to view online throughout the Fall/Winter 2009 season. Oil of LA can be viewed here.

View more images of Palladium

PF Flyers Astor Sneaker

Updated for Holiday 2009, the PF Flyers Astor fuses fashion-forward thinking with classic sport lifestyle shoes, elevating the combined perspective of fashion and sport. The high top sneakers are built on a minimalist couture court sole and feature a fully ribbed upper, tongue with a leather hook-and-loop closure, and leather laces. Two colorways (bronze quilted textile/nubuck and grey quilted textile/nubuck) are now available at select retailers, including Sportie LA and Eilatan, amongst others.

Volta #777 Footwear Collection

Italian footwear company Volta return with a new collection of superb shoe designs in its special #777 Collection. For the first time, Volta utilized a suede ribbed collar and leather/suede upper with soft calf leather laces. Every single pair is hand-marked with the code-name #777, boasting a retail price set at €155 Euros (Approx. $230 USD) and availability made throughout 21 select global accounts (7 in Italy, 7 in Europe and 7 Globally), each receiving 24 pairs each. Retailers include: Dover Street Market (London), Lane Crawford (Hong Kong), Reed Space (NYC), and Wood Wood (Berlin), amongst many others. Further information regarding Volta can be found through its official website.