Saks Fifth Avenue Just Got into the Insanely-Hyped Shoe Game

Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship store in New York (as in, the one on Fifth Avenue), as part of its “Grand Renovation,” just cut the ribbon on a new 8,000 square foot space dedicated exclusively to things for your feet. Specifically, all the very, very stylish, rare, and expensive men’s shoes you have ever pined after, stood in line for, or whimsically added to your virtual cart without any intention of purchasing. We’re talking the dirty Guccis, the glitter Zanottis, those sold out FOG jams.

There are over 2,000 SKUs, 160 exclusives, shoe repair stations, a “lace personalization” bar, multilingual advisors—literally everything you could ever want in a brick-and-mortar shoe shopping ,experience short of alcoholic beverages (although, who knows, that might be there too) all under one roof, all on one floor. If a trip to New York isn't in the cards for you, there’s a silver lining: the internet. Because along with its major retail upgrade, the men’s shoe selection on Saks.com also recently got stacked with new styles and will continue to enjoy footwear greatness as a result of this flagship upgrade.

Source: GC

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Off-White Spring 2020 Menswear

The opening look and most of the closing, women’s included, at this Off-White show were made in collaboration with the New York artist Futura—aka Lenny McGurr. His vivid spray strokes and sleekly alien Pointman figure were incorporated as print or jacquard into suiting, soft trenches, cycling vests, denim, a blanket, and evening dresses. As Virgil Abloh sketched it in his long sentences backstage: “In his lifetime, and in the culture that we come from, which is a segment of hip-hop and graffiti, [his work] started out being seen as a form of vandalism, not art. . . . But as well as painting on the side of subway trains, he was part of the scene and showed with Basquiat and Keith Haring. . . . . He was on what was once thought of as the fringe. . . . but now, through time, we can see that the beauty of Basquiat is also the beauty of Lenny, Futura.”

That transition from the counterculture—the fringe—to become both the subject of establishment acclaim and an agent of change within the establishment mirrors Abloh’s own path: In the 10 years since he was photographed by Tommy Ton with Kanye West and crew outside Comme des Garçons, Abloh has completed the full loop. But reflecting on the longer span of Futura’s journey—combined with his own recent project curating his past body of work for the “Figures of Speech” exhibition in Chicago—has made Abloh consider a bigger picture. “When I make things, I look at it on a scale of 30 years. What gives the esteem and the energy . . . I know the work has to mean something now, but I’m also thinking about what it means when you zoom out.”

There was certainly a sense of space in time in some of this collection. Its span of reference was broad but as legibly interconnected as the branding on the new Nike Dunk, codesigned with Futura, that made its debut on Abloh’s carnation-field runway. The chain-link fence pattern on bags, jackets, and a semitransparent poncho played nicely against the densely hand-knit sweaters that bore patches declaring membership in the “Off-White climbing club.”

Climbing was not only this collection’s second big theme—reflected in the drawstrings worked into suiting, the technical luggage, and the nylon patched knit faux fleeces—but it was also part of the broader metaphor at play. A sky blue suede trench with detachable front pockets, a double-layered floral-print down jacket and shorts, a chain-link knit off-white shirt and shorts, plus the recut denim template workwear in washed and treated technical fabrics were all highly polished and finished pieces. Conversely, the tie-dyed cargo pants (sometimes crystal set) and denim, the bandana-patched T-shirts, those dense knit sweaters, and bleached flannel shirting were all designed to appear roughened and weathered.

In a piece of tape played before the show, Bjork spoke about the “spaced-outness” of perspective, nurtured through the landscape of Iceland, that helped her learn songwriting. Abloh seems to be in search of a similar panoramic point of view—an apex position—and the topography of the clothes he is producing as he makes that ascent is benefiting from it.

Source: VOGUE

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DRESSED TO KILT benefitting The Navy SEAL Foundation

Dressed to Kilt’s return to New York was a hit with a celebrity fashion show featuring kilts and kitsch and cool Native American designers as a fun twist to celebrate diversity. The fashion show featured designers from Scotland and some Native American tribes along with the runway debut of a LGBTQ tartan worn by Scottish TV personality Phil MacHugh. The show featured fun spectacles and delights to keep the crowd entertained ranging from Native American dance numbers to famed rugby player brothers strutting shirtless down the runway, and even live Falcons making a catwalk appearance. The fashion show was followed by a cocktail party and buffet along and beats spun by DJ Johnny that had guests dancing the night away.

This year’s notable lineup included: Master Chief Edward Byers (active Navy Seal), Tom and Max Evans (Famous Scottish Rugby Players), Phil MacHugh (Scottish media personality and columnist), Adam Beach (“Law and Order SVU”, “Hawaii Five-O” and “Juanita” on Netflix), Francesca Curran (“Orange is the New Black”), Jessica Matten (star of “Frontier’ on Netflix), Buddy Valastro (“Cake Boss”),  Janelle Evans (“Teen Mom”), Kelli Barrett (“Fosse/Verdon” on FX), Marvin Cortes (“America’s Next Top Model”) and Genevieve Gorder (Former star of “Trading Spaces” and new Bravo series “Stay Here”).

Guests were greeted at the entrance of the Church of the Holy Apostles to a traditional Scottish bagpiper and treated to delectable nibbles before the show started. The crowd was treated to incredible designs from Native American designers Shyanne Brant, Stacey Mitchell, Sparkling Spur, Red Berry Women and Wabigonikwe Tenasco reminding guests of the incredible rich history and talent of Native Americans that is often ignored by the fashion community. Designers from across the pond such as Lucan Fashion, Edinburgh based label Totty Rocks, Calzeat and Walker Slater reminded the crowd what true craftsmanship and heritage looks like. A nod was made to the outdoor lifestyle arena with designs from Horse Country Saddlery. In addition to these special designs, kilts and the Navy SEAL Foundation Tartan highland dress. A very special LGBTQ Tartan quilt made its debut on American runways last night really ringing in the message of inclusivity for the evening.

The guest list included a bevvy of celebs, influencers, media and incredible military notables such as: Pat and Michael Parry, Goldstar parents of fallen Navy Seal Brian Bill; Robin King, CEO of the Navy Seal Foundation; 911 Survivor Andrew Cullan and Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient Master Chief Edward Buyers and his family.

The soiree was held in Houston last year, taking a break from a long run in New York City, but returned to its roots in New York City on Tartan Day, April 5, 2019. Dressed to Kilt has developed a cult like following for those seeking some good Scottish fun and many celebrities with Scottish roots have dawned the catwalk.

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