Energie Tannis Hi's are spewing energy

In my eyes, Energie's S/S08 collection is looking mighty promising, especially with the sneaks. I've never been too too familiar with the Italian brand, but I'm now a voyeur after discovering the Energie Tannis Hi-top sneaks. My friend needed some new Converse Weapons - so I tried to find him something on ebay, until I found these and totally gave up on my friends mission as these instantly caught my eye. These babies are clean, fresh, and (most importantly) hella stylish. The entire sneak is draped in white leather, with the addition of 3 patent leather chevrons in black, grey, and navy blue. These 3 colours used minimally together are hot. The middle section has perforations, to give it a different look/texture. The more I look at them, the more I like them. The thin ankle high strap is dope, along with the ENERGIE logo stamped into the tongue. These are actually available in Canada - surprise, surprise (it's actually a surprise). I'd cop these bad boys at $209.00. They'd be easy to dress up to which is dope - I like wearing "dressy" sneakers to certain events without me looking shabby with poorly styled sneaks onn. You can check these out at styleclash.ca

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Missed Kanye's sneaks tonight

Soooo Kanye's concert was...amaaaaazzziiing! Last time he was in Winnipeg, he did not disappoint, but the Glow and the Dark Tour last night was off the HOOK! The set, lights, the entire production was unreal - and the stranded on a planet story line was brilliant. VERY well-done. I def got my money's worth. Lupe, N.E.R.D., and Rihanna tore it up aswell. I TRIED so hard to see what kind of sneaks he was rockin after his wardrobe change, but it was hard since he was doin his thing on stage. They looked verrry verry similar to the Tan/Sand brown D&G hi-tops I put up in an earlier post (search D&G to see). Then I got another glimpse as he came closer, and swore I saw a Nike check. It bothered me, because I wanted to know!! I'll find out soon enough Mr.West...

Prada Linea Rossa Hi-top makes me puke

Soo, when I think PRADA - I think expensive, stylish, luxury. The men's division isn't as well-known to the world as the women's, and this is probably the reason. The Prada Linea Rossa Hi-top Bike Sneakers are one of a kind...yuck. First of all, they look cheap. Of course, they are made with top quality Italian patent leather and mesh insets, blah blah blah - that's fine, but if you're gonna go all out on quality and charge $380 a pair, WOW me. They remind me of like elderly style shoes, minus the velcro. Colour scheme - way off, but it's really because of the shape. It's an awkward shape - they seem very uncomfortable if your wore them. AND they are for biking?... I'm confused - I guess this particular shoe is for the tasteless rich. The red stripe coming down the tongue says "PRADA" but does nothing but show the brand - and not in a good way. The low-tops are a BIT better, but still - yuck. There are many different models of the Linea Rossa - same design but different colours and materials used. Leopard print?...YIKES! Disappointing much?

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Break over

I haven't psoted in a week. YIKES.
I've been on the hunt for the goods - and I found them.
People have been raggin' on me how I only post designer sneaks, blah blah blah...
That's because nobody ever knows about the designer sneaks - am I wrong?
But to keep the ppl happy, i'll give em what they want...
STAY TUNED!

Puma by Mihara MY-34: crazy inspiration

Japanese shoe designer Yasushiro Mihara has yet again brought fresh, innovative designs to the Puma label. Now in it's 9th season, the collaboration Puma by Mihara does not seem to be holding back. The MY-34 model is pretty fresh: relatively classic puma style sneak, but with Mihara's creative twist. The velcro straps are my favourite part, how they go from silver, silver/white, to white which is cohesive the the rest of the sneak; silver leather coming from the back to an all white rubber outer sole split by the puma signature in suede. Mihara's take on the sneak did not take away at all from Puma's sporty aesthetic; if anything, it's more sporty. His inspiration behind the entire Spring/Summer 2008 collection is mutants/nature/environment: how we as humans are destroying the planet and are adapting to the negative changes and changing ourselves (becoming mutants...). As crazy as that seems, it's quite optimistic and worked in the end (inspiration is crazy in itself..no?) DEF need to check out the rest of Mihara's designs - they are just as sick as this. $154.00 isn't even that bad considering it's a collaboration with one of Japan's best shoe designers. I'd cop. Mihara actually has his own established line of shoes which was started in 1997, 3 years prior to the colab. with Puma called "Mihara Yasushiro" - It's necessary I dig and see what he's hiding in Japan.

Serious A.I.'s - and not talking about Iverson

While on my adventures in Toronto, I stopped by Holt where i discovered crazy sneaks by New york based shoemaker Alejandro Ingelmo. They were right beside the blue satin Lanvin hi-tops, but my attention was quickly drawn to Ingelmo's creations. First off: colour - this rich plum colour is so nice. I've never seen it on shoes before and to make the plum leather a mirrored metallic patent really makes it something else. The black edges (mirrored detailed piping) and top stitching have an edgy wave style design which is pretty fresh and you can tell that's quality craftsmanship at its finest (better be since he's a shoemaker). The black laces match perfectly and are in sync. I'm a sucker for the silver - these bad boys are packin some heat. The low-top blues are tight - but personally, I go HIGH or go HOME. This shoemaker is quickly making a name for himself worldwide. The hi's are tagged at $485US and the low's are $50 cheaper. I think they are worth the cop. All of a sudden I'm in the mood for plums...

Raf Simons takes us "out of this world"

Apparently, Raf Simons (designer for Jil Sander for the past 6 seasons, and his own label, Raf by Raf Simons)has been collaborating with NASA to design what appears to be some sort of stylish space shoes?..... Well, I'm kidding - but they DO look like moon boots (especially the metallic ones - so sick). The Raf Simons Astronaut Pocket Trainers are pretty damn serious - lemme tell you. He's a brilliant designer and these innovative sneaks can speak loudly to that statement. LOVIN this hot yellow colour palette. If you look at them, it's like a basic yellow patent leather hi-top, with suede mustard yellow additions to make it stand out. I'm a fan of the double tongue (one more inside, the other outside) - would be fun to play with tucking in jeans and therefore slightly changing up the look. Obviously the focus of the Astronaut sneaks is the "practical" rear zip-up pocket - I'm a fan. Screw carrying change in your front pockets - reach in the back of your sneaks to pay for parking. The navy pair looks like black/navy, but it's actually all navy (dark patent deepens/darkens the colour even more. Just shy of $800US, these fresh sneaks are making a name for themselves. check oki-ni.com


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They've now become household names, like Sunny D!

Big name designers like Alber Elbaz & Lucas Ossendrijver (Lanvin) and Raf Simons of renowned fashion houses are quickly growing in popularity. Their names and the labels they design for weren't too too popular compared to the Guccis, the Pradas, the Dolces; but that's changed as they've recently tapped into the *sneaker* market. Smart move - I had never heard of the brand Lanvin until their CRAZY hi-tops hit the runway for their F/W2007 collection. Kanye West has been spotted sporting the hard-to-get sneaks, which also helps to make these labels a household name. If Etro ever made sneaks, they'd be SO fressshhh - maybe within the next couple seasons?...... my fingers are crossed.

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K-Swiss X J-Swede

Reputable sportswear brand K-Swiss collaborated with young Swedish designer Julia Hederus for a small sneaker project. They came up with , what i'd call, the "Hederus for K-Swiss Cubes+Blocks Sneakers". 3 different sneaks were designed. For the high version, taking the Classic Original which we all know and love (not all of us love), Hederus came up with a very futuristic, innovative concept of velcro-backed building blocks - i figured they were like puzzle pieces - that you can add/remove according to your taste. That's pretty tight - you can move them around, take them on/off to change up the look a little bit. Hopefully they don't get lost/fall off post-clubbin all night. The low, blocks version, 2 block-inspired straps cover the laces. The low cubed version, which looks most like the Classic Original, is....kinda...ugly. It's a cool concept, but know when to stop - there's too much cubic nonsense around the laces. If anything, do the cubic nonsense on the ENTIRE sneak - now THAT would be poppin. So far to cop, only peeped them online at oki-ni.com - highs $250US, low blocks $170US, low cubes $190US. What a way for a young designer to get their name onto the world scene - props.

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Give an Ayo for Ato!

Soooo these were the kicks that Mr.West (style genius, well him + his stylists) wore in the video for his #1 hit "Stronger". I swear, that video made the shutter shades by Jeremy Scott in vogue again, and now these masterpieces a peasant would merely call "shoes". These are the Ato Cow Hide Boot by Japanese designer Ato Matsumoto. No surprise to me, but they have only been released in Japan, and aren't gonna be released in the U.S. or even Europe till Jan. of next year. Crazy. You can pre-order though on oki-ni.com, but don't expect to be top of the list - every tasteful sneaker freak and Kanye style fan are wanting these. I'm a sucker for silver highs but the red's are unreal. Patent detailing on the side and on the 2 insane velcro straps are SO nice. Them being made of cow hide - you know they are quality. Expect to pay juuuuust under $400US for sneaks of this caliber. checkem exclusively at oki-ni.com



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Lanvin Copper toe Hi-top trainers - BAM

Passed by these baboys at Holt Renfrew in Toronto. Ask any of my two friends I was with, I didn't stop talking about them for the rest of the day - can you blame me? I was soo ready to drop the rest of my cash on them. Colour palette is really nice - woulda never thought different shades of brown/beige/grey would work harmoniously. Both dark/light grey are taffeta aka durability factor. Suede trim and beige rubber sole make it work. Can we talk about this copper toe. BAMM - this toe makes the sneaker - i love it. The rest of the sneaker is pretty neutral then out comes the copper for the statement. Holt's tag was close to $800, and Barneys NYC has them at $730 - but shipping and all that junk to Canada would even out the playing field. Lanvin's Hi tops bumped Dior from holding the title of " the i.t. item" for last season - The french label is creating a big buzz in North America, and their popularity now has these killer sneakers to thank - and the other dope versions. (Take the poll on the side bar --> "Lanvin Hi-tops...Over them?")

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Gucci, Gucci, and more Gucci

Ummmmmm how steezy are these low-top red/white Gucci's? (Is the proper term "low-tops" or "lows" or....? whatever) I really really like these, caught my eye as soon as I started browsing. Nice black laces clean it up a bit, give it more of a reserved feel, even though they're pretty OUT there. Quality italian red leather on the upper half - very tasteful. Best part is the red/white woven design on the shell coming towards the back - so sick, and verry different. BIG Gucci interlocking emblem in red on the heel takes these suckas up a notch. Not bad for a $475 tag.

Lemme tell you - these are delissio; yes, like the pizza. The colour on the other hand, leaves a sour/bitter taste in my mouth. Navy blue, blue and green - meh - but the hint of red really makes a difference, and not in a good way. If you can't see, the blue's and green are snakeskin - wuddup - which makes up for the colour palette; a little. The laces are tight, with "GUCCI" written on the front, perfectly centered. BUUTTT, since these don't have a side zipper, the laces wouldn't stay straight and perfect, therefore pissing me off = flaw #2. Annnd, they look like bball kicks = flaw #3. Interlocking Gucci emblem - always a nice touch, and I like how it's BIG, but it aint bold because it fades in with the ugly navy. $1290?..hmmm -not for sneaks with mad issues - I guess they're not so delissio after all....

#3 are just under 5 bills - but who the hell cares. Can't put a price on your style; Well, you can.....but.....these are an exception. Pretty basic HI-top sneak. Extra details are what make the tears come about. Racing stripe up/down the outer side in orange and blue - lovin it. White leather trim - basic but fresh. Red trim on the rubber sole is a tasty touch. White Gucci "GG" monogram AND the unoticeable interlocking Gucci emblem on the heel will def let people know what you're rockin. I'd cop these in a sec. hittem up at gucci.com

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D&G S/S08 MAN sneaks- 2 words...disgustingly DISGUSTING

D&G never fails to disappoint when it comes to clothes, and the same can be said for their footwear, if you're not afraid to take chances. Talk about making a statement, the sneakers they designed for the Spring/Summer 08 collection are SO sick, for real. I'm still drooling.......................The 3 pairs with the studded toes and tongue are my fav cause they pack a punch, but the metallic ones with the strap are by far the best of the bunch. But whatever, i'd buy them ALL. Best/most practical feature: zipper on the side, which is tight - so you don't have to fiddle with the laces everytime you take them on/off. The pair with the asymmetrical checkered pattern are pretty intense too. 2 of them have a silver plate at the top of the tongue which make them pop a little bit more - kinda like a stamp of approval; love it. Don't expect them to be for purchase for a while, but soon enough. Prices are M.I.A. but you can tell these guys will fetch a painfully high tag - but cmon, swiping your AMEX plastic will be worth the puddles of tears from looking at your next statement.

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Rick Owens leather HIGH tops - STUNNAS

I am a huge fan of a SEVERELY HIGH hi top sneaker - so these Rick Owens almost made my heart stop. My favourite aspect aside from them towering over the ankles, is the inner side of these shoes have a vertical zipper from the bottom coming up so you wouldn't have to break a sweat from undoing/doing up the laces every time you put them on, take them off - which i think is ideal and easy for such a HI-hi top. Outer layer + inner lining are both smooth full grain leather which would feel unreal. They come in black/milk, milk/black, milk/milk, milk/chocolate, and silver/black. DO NOT mistake these for Nike's; that's pretty much an insult. At just over 1G ($1000.00), these badboys will get you noticed from the ground up. Worth the splurge? What do you think...


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YSL Rolling Sneaks

So all the hype on the streets for the last season has been the Lanvin hi tops, which are brilliant - but there are other designers/labels producing sick good. For instance, i came across these YSL Rolling Patent Hi top sneakers which i think will be the next hot commodity. They come in white and black. Love how since they're patent, you can dress them up or down with an ease and un-tackiness. Soft leather makes them worth the $410.00 price tag. Lovin the YSL script logo on the outer side. The black one's look so tight. checkem at ysl.com



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-->>where the sneaker freaks come and play<<--