From new stores to celebrity collaborations, catch up on the latest buzz-worthy shoe news lighting up social media.
Model Makeover
Heidi Klum is lending her eye for on-trend style—and her famous face—to New Balance’s Fall’14 activewear line and campaign.
The model and “America’s Got Talent” and “Project Runway” judge collaborated on the line of bomber jackets, parkas, hoodies, tank tops, capris and tees decked out with edgy animal prints, dark hues and slashing effects that mirror fashion’s ongoing love for cutouts.
Similarly, New Balance’s signature 890V4 running sneaker and 715 training shoe got a glam makeover with multi-colored reptile-inspired textures, perforations and iridescent details. Klum also added highlighter yellow accents and oxblood maroon throughout the collection.
New Balance EVP of apparel Kerry Kligerman, said, “[The new line] combines New Balance’s expertise in innovative technology and performance with Heidi’s commitment to sophisticated style to create a versatile collection for women that is both everyday wearable and chic.”
The collection, aimed at yoga and fitness enthusiasts, is available in stores and on New Balance’s website, and retail prices range from $35 to $95.
The British Are Coming
Clarks Americas will open the doors to its largest retail space on August 30th in the center of New York City’s Soho shopping district. The 3,400-square-foot space on Broadway will house the British heritage brand’s latest designer collaborations, including a newly launched capsule collection with fashion designer Orla Kiely, exclusive Clarks Original styles and new season product for men and women.
The chicly designed space features airy loft windows, exposed brick wall and the original wood floors of the 120-year-old building—a perfect blend of old and new that echos Clarks’ design aesthetic.
Geralyn Breig, Clarks Americas president, said, “We are thrilled to bring the most stylized Clarks retail store in the country right into the shopping mecca of New York City.” She added, “Clarks Soho will bring fashionable British flair stateside to the brand’s American retail experience in a way that we’ve never done before and enables Clarks to highlight what truly sets the brand apart in an integral consumer hub.”
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The flagship will also feature a unique collaboration with British motorcycle manufacturer, Norton Motorcycle. The four-piece men’s line blends premium, heavyweight leathers with Goodyear Welted stitching and reinforced gear change toe panels.
Fancy Footwear
The king of fashion footwear, Steve Madden, has pegged the reigning queen of hip-hop, Iggy Azalea, to co-design a footwear collection due in stores next February.
In May, the Australian “Fancy” singer performed at the final night of the Spring Steve Madden Music Series at The Music Hall in Brooklyn. It was there when talks about the design collaboration began to broil. A Steve Madden spokesperson said, “She has an extremely gifted eye for fashion, and we’re working on the collection now.”
Steve Madden has previously enlisted the design talents of actress Rachel Bilson and Kendall and Kylie Jenner.