Street style kicked up a notch. Black leather high-top sneaker with vulcanized sole. Available here in European sizes 40-45 for $148.

Okabashi, the official slip on of Japanese American grandmas and spa’s everywhere has introduced their sister line, Oka b. Endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association. these 100% recyclable sandals have been made from more than 15% post consumer materials for over 25 years. Built in massage beads stimulate reflexology points in the ball and arch of the feet while the antimicrobial material keeps your feet clean.

Having worn my grandma’s house shoes on occasion, I was more than willing to give a more stylish version a try. I admittedly received my first pair as a free chatchky at LA’s fashion week. I am delighted to say that I would highly recommend them. New Oka b’s range from $25 to $40 and can be purchased here.

All your friends are going to be PISSED they didn’t find these first. Good luck getting a pair, these are a sample. Rumor has it they’re released in Japan, but it you’re a crafty little hipster you can probably cut and sew a strap on to your chucks.

via Broccolicity

Lanvin’s winter collection of men’s shoes is everything a bloke’s shoe should be: stylish, sleek, and most of all, fun. By combining unexpected textures and materials like denim and leather, Lanvin’s designs lend even the stuffiest pair of brogues a dandy air of nonchalance. A Lanvin man might note, “I know my shoes look good. Now how’s about you try my signature sidecar?”

Toms Shoes have been on the rise here in Los Angeles. I see more and more people rocking these minimal kicks everyday. Just over two years ago founder Blake Mycoskie set out to do more than just make stylish footwear. After visiting South America on an extended vacation, Mycoskie was so inspired by his visit he set in motion a centralized vision. Mycoskie vowed each pair of Toms Shoes purchased would result in a pair of shoes donated to a child in need. By the end of 2007 over 60,000 pairs were distributed by Toms to needy children in Argentina and in South Africa. In 2008 they have set out to provide over 200,000 pairs of shoes to children around the world. In keeping with his honorable talk, Mycoskie chose to have his products manufactured in Argentina, in a completely sweatshop free environment. All production, even that of the materials is carefully monitored to ensure fair labor practices are met and that there is minimal impact to the environment.

Read the rest of this entry »

Japanese designer Tatsuya Maemura’s creations are those of a child like imagination. The Socky Booty Shoe integrates various attributes of common shoes and reworks them into a stylish yet playful solution. Most wardrobe choices are based on external forces, such as weather and destination, these fit most any situation outside of the unexpected snow storm.

It’s a difficult challenge to pull off a refined casual shoe. Leave it to shoemaker John Lobb to create such an understated and refined shoe. It doesn’t hurt that John Lobb has a tradition of made-to-measure craftsmanship. Relaxed oxford with contrasting stitching. Shown in pewter and dark brown suede. Sizes range from 5 to 12. Available in four color combinations and in calf or suede.

Part dress shoe, part running shoe, the sporty yet refined USAN by Puma can take you either down the track or down the runway. Hopefully, we will get to see these beauties in action during the Summer Olympics, which was actually the source of Puma’s inspiration for this collection. Puma takes pride in their enviro-friendly, UNI construction technique, in which the upper part of the shoe is stitched to the outsole of the shoe. This makes for a more durable, streamlined look.

Function and fashion unified in one sweet, lightweight package, USAN by Puma will definitely be turning heads. Available on Puma.com for $90.00.

“Unusual, yet feminine and easy to wear,” is what shoe designer, Chrissie Morris boasts of her creations. These gorgeous works of art are far from being flimsy, “My shoes are for women like me, my mother, my sister-strong women with strong personalities, who like beautiful things,” Morris explains. Inspired by the medieval era, the ’60s and sci-fi future, Morris adorns stingray and python skins with semiprecious stones and Swarovski crystals for art-deco appearance.

While finishing her master’s thesis knitwear collection in Milan, Morris began to incorporate and manipulate leather. This experiment served her right, and soon after she was hired as a footwear designer for Sinela Gallery. Morris then went on to create her own label of high end shoes in 2007 and has been dazzling the runway ever since.

More photos of these beautiful shoes after the jump.
Read the rest of this entry »

These Nike Air Force Ones were created after Obama’s landslide success on Super Tuesday. The imagery and color scheme are based on the campaign currently being promoted, and can be seen being used to a great extent here. I am not only impressed by the detail and clarity of the design, but also how it captures the essence of Obama’s campaign. The designer who’s named Van painted these out of support and you can clearly see the inspiration that the senator has had on him. I asked Van what made him paint these and this is what he said:

“To be honest man, I just woke up in the middle of the night around 2am and I had to paint what I saw in my dream. During that time I was going through a starving artist period, so things werent looking too good financially. But God made a way..”

These shoes probably won’t make people run to the polls, but you can clearly recognize the rising popularity of his campaign. Take a look at more of Van’s work here and look at our previous coverage of the ongoing campaign here.