Common Projects Autumn/Winter 2012 Release

Steadily evolving since its inception in 2004, Common Projects seamlessly plug the gap between the technical functionality of trainers and the traditional luxury of a classic shoe. With headquarters in both Milan and New York, founders Prathan Poopat, an acclaimed Art Director, and Creative Consultant Flavio Girolami, combine utilitarian design values with influences ranging from architecture to everyday objects, creating a range of footwear that gracefully crosses the boundary between formal and casual, with every style carrying a its own universal appeal. Each shoe is expertly crafted in Italy, utilising soft yet durable leathers and hard wearing man-made materials, resulting in footwear that is as subtle and luxurious as it is long lasting and functional. As ever, the A/W’12 collection is spearheaded by the ever-popular Achilles, a shoe that typifies the Common Projects aesthetic. Available in Tan, and White as well as a Mid version, the design of the shoe is stripped back to a single colour block and sleek, minimalist design. The same aesthetic is also prevalent in the Winter Premium, which comes in Navy, Burgundy and Off-White, and is suited to the colder months through the addition of padded leather uppers and full leather lining.

Another popular style making a return is the Vintage Low, with the A/W12 version updated through the addition of oxidized vulcanised rubber soles and treated suede leather uppers in Navy and Warm Grey, which are produced to develop a rich and interesting patina over time.

Our personal highlight of the Autumn/Winter 2012 collection is the Derby Shine, Common Projects’ take on the classic Derby Shoe. Utilising Italian polished leather uppers, the detailing is typically understated, with the simplistic nature of the shoe defined by a natural Stormwelt construction and black, crepe wedge sole unit. The Derby Shine is offered in both Black and Burgundy and is finished with a full contrast leather lining, offering unparalleled durability and comfort.

As ever, each pair of Common Projects uses the very finest materials and features the iconic gold block numbering to the rear quarter, Poopat and Girolami’s subtle, yet striking approach to branding, essentially resulting in each pair being unique.

Grab at End Clothing

Union x Mark McNairy x Sanders & Sanders Corduroy Saddle Shoe

The Saddle Shoe from designer Mark McNairy and shoemakers Sanders & Sanders has already seen several handsome and popular renditions, but this rich corduroy upper gives the shoe an entirely new presence. In keeping with Sanders & Sanders construction traditions, the shoe uses the time-honored Goodyear Welt, but is the first time that the English company has incorporated corduroy into a shoe’s upper. Available in brown or navy blue, you can pick up a pair of the Corduroy Saddle exclusively from theUnion web shop for $438 USD.

Oak Street Bootmakers - Upcoming Footwear

A look at five new footwear models from the Oak Street Bootmakers line of hand made in the U.S.A. shoes. While heritage is tapering a bit from the trend kids, proper and classic footwear will always have its place. Those looking for unique takes on the penny loafer, mocassin, and oxford shoes may be quite pleased with Oak Street Bootmakers new editions. Look for crepe soles on leather and more…

Grenson Shoes Spring / Summer 2013 Preview

Here is a preview look at the men’s shoes coming from Grenson shoes for Spring Summer 2013. The new collection offers a full customization program for various models, including the wintips shown above. Shoppers have the opportunity to hand select every panel on the British shoes to their heart’s desire. Grenson oxford shoes with cork on the upper are found applied next to pastels including baby blue.

History // Vittorio Spernanzoni Footwear

"Vittorio Spernanzoni was born in 1936 in Morrovalle, in the heart of Le Marche. Right in the aftermath of the war, he started working at a very young age as a shop boy at a shoemaker’s of his town. Soon he would start his own workshop – out of the space below his home’s stairs – trying out different finishing techniques.In 1965 he started his business adventure, and produced the first shoes entirely made in his workshop. Although passed away prematurely, he had been able to transfer his knowledge – and passion - onto his children Enrico, Roby and Lorella, who are still working in line with the teachings of their father, to create extremely detailed pieces. Naturally drawn towards always improving its skills in this trade, over 20 years Spernanzoni has been able to establish its name as one of the best hand-made workshops in the world, manufacturing goodyear welted shoes and many more. Thanks to its reputation, the company has secured partnerships with some of the major international fashion brands. The creation of an entirely hand-made line under the Vittorio Spernanzoni brand is aiming at paying tribute to the late founder but it also represents the consistent choice to save and revamp the hand-made tradition that still relies on skilled craftsmen, who – with just a bunch of tools, endless patient and great ability – create long-lasting products. By the Vittorio Spernanzoni line, the company wishes to create exclusive products making the most of manual and craftsmanship skills, as the result of a process of de-industrialisation of the production line. Each manufacturing stage is entirely hand-made to make sure items have a unique personality, mirroring their creators’skills and flair. It’s up to craftsmen to develop each single stage: from cut to stitching and mounting and last but not least, finishing, the key element to give the shoes the final touch. These techniques are typical of the pre-industrial cobbler workshop activity, when this service was enjoyed by rich people until the Forties and the Fifties, as the expression of a timeless art. Tradition and innovation meet in an attempt to discover – yet again – this timeless, accurate know-how now almost lost to mankind. With patience and total dedication, each pair of shoes is created, step-by-step, by the precise hands of the craftsman, who gives these products the most important of values: time. Indeed, over time is when shoes turn into little works of art, as the result of skills and passion of those who spent years of their lives learning how to master this old trade.

Oliberte Footwear - ADIBO Leather Chukkas

Oliberte Footwear was much of an interesting story upon reviewing their footwear. Personally, I've always tried to buy USA made products to support our working class. This was much of a different story that needed the same support. Oliberte Footwear manufactures their product in Africa. Their goal was to provide jobs for the people in Ethiopia, Liberia, and Kenya. It was also to encourage other manufactures to look to Africa for manufacturing. The quality is very surprising. The materials consist of Hand-Picked leather, Goat Lining, and a percentage hand stitching. This shoe (ADIBO) is made with 100% Goat Leather Lining and Dark Brown leather for the outer. It has a rough and worn look to them the second you put them on, which i find very attractive. Support this great cause and grab a pair of shoes here.

DELUXE x Loake Penny Loafer

Japanese brand DELUXE has come together with shoemaker Loake for a dual colorway pair of stylish penny loafers. Presented in black/blue or brown, each trusty piece of footwear flare contains a crepe outer sole and contrasting stitching on the upper. The collaborative loafer will be available at select retailers for ¥50,400 JPY (approximately $633 USD).

Ronnie Fieg for Sebago 2012 Spring/Summer Docksides Pt.3 Release - Hypebeast

Ronnie Fieg for Sebago unveils the third installment to the duo’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection. Notable among the mix is a Fieg-interpreted breathable boat shoe via “The Vincent” silhouette. Boasting a Campside upper, the pair is set atop a Docksides outsole — a motion that effectively fuses two of Sebago’s most iconic models into a cohesive new iteration. The shoe includes a perforated leather silhouette and rawhide leather laces. Alongside The Vincent, the third installment also includes a RF Thompson that is mocked up in a casual approach on the classic tassel footwear design. A rich tan nubuck outsole, leather socklining and a bright white Docksides outsole finish off the clean appeal. The collection with hit RonnieFieg.com and Kith NYC stores beginning today, June 1.

YOURS - Spring / Summer 2012 Grey Low Cut

To go more into a casual, laid back, beach board-walk style look, i wanted to feature a pair of these 20oz canvas sneakers. They are a great alternative to vans or converse, they are much more fitted and much better materials in my opinion. Their overview was as follows: "The Spring/Summer 12 designs are over-simplified casual shoes, that have a contemporary and aesthetic focus. Making shoes that fit well, feel minimal, and are appealing to the eye has always been a focus. Quality and detail is a great focus as well - for spring/summer 2012 it took a lot of sample runs and time wearing them to get the styles where we wanted them. With Yours, we've really tried to focus on quality, fit and aesthetics." These were awesome shoes that i was rocking with a basic oxford and chinos. Simple laid back look.

Check them out here

The Kings Point - Allen Edmonds

Allen Edmond called on students at Parsons The New School for Design to compete in a competition in honor of its 90th anniversary. Shoe designs by students Patrick McCabe and Melanie Berger were chosen to be featured as a special offer in an upcoming Allen Edmond collection. Although McCabe's Seventh Avenue shoe lived up to it's winnings, it was Melanie's "The Kings Point" that caught our eye because of it's World War II inspired look.

The wingtip boot features an ankle strap, sterling silver hardware and military ranks on the bottom of  its heel.

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