Posts with tag Vans

For a band who's real musical achievements are few and far between, Gene Simmons and company have shown an almost uncanny ability to sell collectible junk. From lunchboxes, to figurines, to KISS-themed footballs and ketchup -- KISS has managed to turn out every bit as much quasi-sickening memorabilia as Elvis' estate, with only about %1 as many hit songs. Well, they've found yet another way to milk every last dime out of their army of admirers.

Now, lead singer and also the band's brand manager, Gene Simmons has teamed up with the ever-trendy skater shoe company gone clothing label Vans to bring you KISS-themed footwear. The Vans x KISS SK8 Hi commemorative t-shirts and sneakers are set to hit stores early this fall. The tongue of these classic Vans high-tops with feature the KISS Army logo and the uppers are decorated with the iconic painted faces of the band. We imagine that Simmons allowed Vans to put their logo on the sneaker somewhere, but don't see it.

[via Adage]

Summer time is all about trying to balance looking stylish while not dying of heat exhaustion -- sometimes that's pretty hard to do. While we love our flip-flops, but some situations call for a more substantial footwear choice. That doesn't mean your feet have to sweat it out.

Click through the gallery to see the top 5 classic tennis shoes for a sock-free existence:

I must have worn right through the soles of my old black and white checkered Vans. Holy crap was I the coolest kid in my entire mind. I had those sunglasses with the little piece of pleather in the corners for maximum shade as well as the ultimate in limited visibility. I had my Ramones concert shirt, despite never having seen anyone other than Rick Springfield and REO Speedwagon in person (not together, man, that would have been a ticket!). I was cool, maybe even reckless, and everyone knew it. They saw it on my feet.

So I suffered from disillusions of grandeur. It happens.

I think Vans is about to send a whole new generation on a similar path, one filled with cool buzzes and tasty waves. The new Paisley Skull Slip-On almost demands it. The shoes come in 3 colors according to Ripe, at least that's what I think it says.

Skulls and paisley, what's not to like?



[via Format]

The Wall Street Journal has an interesting piece on the rise, and perhaps fall, of limited edition sneakers. Even those of us who might not be fans of limited edition kicks have been aware of the frenzy (if only by watching Turtle's quest for rare sneakers on Entourage).

But the days of frenzy may be on the wane due to oversaturation of the market. Vans, for example, is releasing 70 kinds of limited-edition sneakers this spring and Nike seems to bring out a new edition every time a designer sneezes. The result of the flowering of the limited edition market means that the sneakers are bringing less money on the resale market. This is especially true with newer runs of "limited editions" where the limited amount can run into the thousands.

For hard core collectors this is changing the thrill of the hunt where rarity was part of the attraction. Some have switched to smaller companies and niche brands while some are just becoming less interested in obsessive collecting. It's a classic tale, find out what the customer wants and then give them far too much of it.

Vans, after becoming popular when skateboarding went mainstream in the mid-90s, refuse to go out of style. This latest incarnation is a fun way for any fashion-forward dude to look cool this summer.

The range of soccer-inspired footwear currently comes in the national colors of countries famous for being World Cup contenders (Mexico, Sweden and Portugal are featured in the photo), but should be expanded by the time the shoes are officially released in June.

Bright, eccentric shoes -- when done right -- are always a great addition to any outfit, especially during the more carefree summer months.

A note of caution: especially if you live in US, or -- even worse -- are an American traveling abroad, choosing a pair decorated in red, white and blue will make you look silly. Namely, because the US is bad at soccer, and everyone knows it. The idea is to make yourself looked sophisticated, even though you're wearing something loud and attention-grabbing. So do a little research, find a color scheme you like from a country that's made it to the quarterfinals in one of the last two World Cups, and you'll be fine.