Discuss:

Last night was the launch of Oregon’s latest environmentally minded active wear company, END. Specifically, they have taken on the sporty shoe challenge, making running and hiking shoes that have been stripped down in their design, using less unnecessary material (rubber, resin, foam, glue) and aim to have their products within 3-5 years be completely composed of renewable, sustainable, or recycled material.

I hate running shoes so badly that I live in dread of seeing people I know when I’m out on a jog, so it’s kind of a backhanded compliment when I say that this is way less ugly than the pair I have:

And, for the men:

Now to be completely clear, I would never wear tech-y athletic shoes for non-athletic purposes, but I really appreciate the fact that these are so simplified. They hacked off most of the weird, spacey nonsense that plagues most designs in the genre, used an interesting color palette, and basically have convinced me to switch over when my Saucony horrors have finally bit the dust. It’s just gravy that they are from a company based in West Linn (They are actually manufactured in China, and the company defends this PC faux pas by contending that they are part of the solution in the country that has the distinction of being “the world’s worst environmental offender.”) that was co-founded by the former global director of footwear design at Nike, Andrew Estey, who also started up Antlerstudios. Oh yeah, and the price points are in the $80-90 range which is fully on the reasonable end of running shoe going rates. You’ll be able to find them at REIs in the Northwest, but be a good indie shopper and get them at Fit Right Northwest —they launch in August. I was also able to get a peek at the samples coming out in the fall, but I’m not allowed to post the photos. I will say that my favorite of the lot is from that season, a super lightweight, ventilated, water-to-shore shoe that makes me want to go camping right now.

The Merc’s Bike Issue is about to hit the stands, so I’ve got everything bikey on the brain. Nonetheless, it was my boss who asked me today if I’d ridden my bike to work in my high heels. Of course I did. I’ve been riding in heels for as long as I’ve been riding a bike in my adult life. Although, as I’ve gotten older and my tastes have become more expensive, I don’t ride in all my heels anymore. There’s always the old trick of putting your “real” shoes in a bag or basket and biking to the party in ratty flats (authentic ballet slippers work even better, as they easily scrunch into all but the smallest of purses). But the best of both worlds, in my experience, are Repettos. The undisputed champion of the ballet flat world, the French dance shoe company also makes a wide variety of high heeled styles that are incredibly flexible and sturdy, way comfortable and easy to bike in without tearing them up, and they’re cute enough that you don’t need to swap ‘em out when you get to whatever glamorous destination you’re headed for. I have a strappy gold pair that’s still kicking after three years+ of wear (I may spend a lot on shoes, but I make them earn their keep), with only one pit stop at the shoe repair. I got them at Odessa (410 SW 13th), but Olive (1040 NW 10th), Halo (1425 NE Broadway), and Zelda’s (633 NW 23rd) have all been known to stock them.

Everyone’s going ape-poop about the Christian Dior sandals that Carrie Bradshaw wears in the Sex and the City movie, and I although I feel like I dork I have to admit that they are the most memorable thing about the movie. Of course the originals are too “it,” too spendy, and have too long of a wait-list, and the knockoffs are, well, knockoffs. But I’m enraptured by these Camilla Skovgaard shoes, which do the tough 4” heeled gladiator thing just as well, and in their own right. While they’re available in black, I’m way into gold as a flashy summer neutral.

Available locally at Halo Shoes, (1425 NE Broadway)

The last time I went to Las Vegas I decided the only thing on the modern strip (props to Fremont) that doesn’t make me want to do like this guy is Bonanza Gifts, the “largest gift shop in the world” located on the end of the strip near the Sahara. They have an awesome selection of Minnetonka moccasins, including the pair of my dreams. Even though they were a size too big, I bought them and began what’s sure to be a long and loving relationship with them, even after I realized that they are basically my version of UGGs (except you can’t get away with UGGs on the dance floor and at western-themed weddings, like my babies). Nonetheless, I’m still getting swept up in the moccasin rage that has been rampant lately, recalling the beaded slip-ons I used to rock as a tyke, and lusting after grownup, stylized updates like these:

These lovelies are from Camilla Staerk and available locally at Stand Up Comedy (811 E Burnside). I love how they update the trend from hyper authentic without ruining the classic references.

Just to point out the obvious, these things keep popping up in my fashion magazines’ ads, and it’s driving me crazy.

No.

No, no.

It was bound to happen: Now there’s a video sharing web site for shoe addicts called—what else—Shoetube. It’s only been around for a few weeks, and it’s definitely all over the place. Some of the user-generated videos posted are kind of pervy and uncomfortable:

There are also some better ones, like a sneak peek into a Nieman Marcus trunk show featuring Christian Dior and Stella McCartney shoes, and the sites have some more professional videos, featuring interviews and excursions to shoe boutiques and designer studios. The whole endeavor has potential, but it’s got a ways to go before it’s the time sucking black hole of fascination that it could be.

I can’t stop thinking about shoes lately. Here’s my favorite so far today (though the hour is young!).

These are from Keller, and only available in New York apparently. Though I’m sure an enterprising local shoe purveyor could look into it…

Considering that my boyfriend makes them, I don’t really worry about handbags. And considering my dry-cleaning delinquency, whenever I drop a significant chunk of change on clothing, it usually ends up backfiring (with the notable exception of pants custom made by Adam Arnold. Those just get better and better, and I wear them so constantly—right now in fact—that they more than pay for themselves.). But shoes, SHOES! My whole life I’ve been obsessed. The higher, the crazier, the better. Discomfort is no concern. I’ll resole my favorites for as many years as possible. And according to this article, the rest of the world is coming around, ending the reign of “it bags” and ushering in a new era of it shoes. Like I needed an excuse. Here’s a sampling of some of this season’s best. (And yes, they’re expensive, and no, I don’t care.)

Shoes are considerably more adept at sorting the sheep from the goats. They are less likely to be displayed on a restaurant table, and are more demanding in terms of maintenance. Not only does their practical purpose mean one needs to buy more of them (eight pairs a year, according to recent figures), but the right footwear can also conspire to make the wearer appear taller, slimmer and fetchingly ball-breaking.

(Prada, with built-in spats!)

(Chloé)

(Alexander McQueen)

Tomorrow at OFFICE PDX (2204 NE Alberta), there’s a rare opportunity to take a peek into the archives of Nike alongside Design Director Chuck Eichten, who’ll be discussing what he does and how he does it. On display will be prototypes, test materials, collector’s items, and more. Sneaker freaks, make note. The event, from 6-8 pm, is free, but RSVP to info@officepdx.com.

It’s right at that time of year when annoying things happen like you rip two of your thick pairs of tights, and desperately need to replace them seeing how there’s, like, at least two months to go before you can get away without wearing any under short skirts and not freezing your keyster off. The good news is that thick winter tights are on sale, the bad that the pickin’s are slim—that’s why I had to replace my beloved, eminently useful black ribbed MPs with bright freaking red ones. They’re okay, but I passed them up at the beginning of the season because they’re a little Mrs. Claus…

Anyhow, the same can be said for lots of winter gear: you stained your coat, some idiot who lives in your apartment building put your cashmere through the dryer, etc. And if you happened to have trashed your boots, there’s good news: It’s boot month at Olive. Styles from Georgina Goodwin, Repetto, Cydwoq, and more are at slashed prices, in some cases up to 60%. Definitely worth the look.

(These Georgina Goodmans are my faves—they’re like a much classier version of those ubiquitous vintage ones.)

Whether you’re dunking a basketball, dressing like a nerd, or playing air guitar with a broom, be sure to take along your BRITISH KNIGHTS!

Circa. 1990. Tips to James!

I’m going to put aside the un-PC billing of this sale at Mario’s (833 SW Broadway, or Bridgeport Village if you know no fear) as being something for women to do while all the men-folk watch the Superbowl and eat chicken wings (hey, it’s been around for 20 years), because what’s really important here is that prices are being slashed on the kinds of designer duds that small potatoes folks like my only (frequently) dream of owning. With the Winter Break Sale already in effect, sale prices will be halved on all women’s sale items. That is huge.

The sale starts earlier than Mario’s is usually open: from 11 am-5 pm, and espresso will be provided (headgear might also be advised). Be nice, and have fun.

(She loves shoes, he loves chicken wings.)

I am no fan of celebrity “designers”—at best I think it’s a tackily transparent window into people’s desperation to emulate Hollywood and pop stars, and at worst I think it does a disservice to the actual designers and makers who deserve respect for learning and practice of real skills. Would you want J.Lo to “design” your next angioplasty? I bet some people would.

Anyhow, that being said, the forthcoming collaboration between Natalie Portman and Té Casan is noteworthy because it is vegan. Given how difficult it is to find hot vegan shoes that aren’t cheap (and/or cheap-looking) (Stella McCartney’s designs being the most obvious exception), anytime there’s a half-decent new line of vegan shoes on the market, people need to know. Pre-ordering of the line starts on the 15th of this month—until then, all we can peep at are the red MJ heels Portman sports on the site.

I have posted before about spats Specifically, I fell hard for the thigh high spats that Karl Lagerfeld showed in Chanel’s Fall Couture collection:

And now, Genevieve Dellinger at Denwave just emailed me this link to Posso the Spat—a spat company! I do hope this means she will order some for the store!!

After a long wait, Common Projects sneakers finally made their way into Denwave (811 E Burnside). The style they ordered is crazy sold out, and they got the very last shipment. Most of them were already claimed via waiting list, but there are a few left… just a few. Sneaker collectors, you better move quick-like.

My all-time main man, David Lynch, teams up with his new buddy Christian Louboutin to provide a beautiful take on fetish shoes. You probably don’t have the scratch to travel to Paris to catch the exhibit at Galerie du Passage, but here’s the next best thing… an internetty slideshow.

Thanks to Jessi for the tip!

I saw these at Hattie’s Vintage (729 E Burnside) yesterday:

I adore them.

But I think it’s apparent from this photo that they are too big for me. Since my 5.5 size has gotten me lots of good karma on the thrift scene, I’m passing these on to you, size 7 with a narrow foot.

From the Huffington Post…

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Nike on Tuesday unveiled what it said is the first shoe designed specifically for American Indians, an effort aiming at promoting physical fitness in a population with high obesity rates.

Wait… WHAT?!?

The Beaverton-based company says the Air Native N7 is designed with a larger fit for the distinct foot shape of American Indians, and has a culturally specific look. It will be distributed solely to American Indians…

Wait… WHAT??

Nike said it is the first time it has designed a shoe for a specific race or ethnicity… Nike designers and researchers looked at the feet of more than 200 people from more than 70 tribes nationwide and found that in general, American Indians have a much wider and taller foot than the average shoe accommodates.

Sure that sounds reasona… wait. WHAT???

The design features several “heritage callouts” as one product manager described it, including sunrise to sunset to sunrise patterns on the tongue and heel of the shoe. Feather designs adorn the inside and stars are on the sole to represent the night sky.

Okay, so when is Nike coming out with the “Air Westward Expansion,” decorated with rifles and small pox blankets?