As the weather begins to warm up, more individuals will be looking to purchase good running gear. This article will explain where to go in the Alton, Ill., area to purchase these items.
Alton is located northeast of St. Louis, Mo.
First to the Finish
This running store is located in Carlinville, Ill. You can order over the internet, by phone or by visiting the store. You can even find them on Facebook.
They carry many brands of shoes, spikes, sweats, tents, watches and other track supplies. Mike Viano founded the store about 20 years ago. Viano and his family have a strong background in competitive running. They can ship most orders within 24 to 48 hours.
Finish Line
This store is located at the Alton Square Mall. They specialize in three areas of shoes (men's, women's, children). They also carry different brands of running clothes and accessories. They carry everything from sunglasses to sandals.
They are located on the first level and are open from 10 a.m, to 9 p.m., Sundays noon to 6 p.m. Their phone number is 618-465-9630.
You can order on line and they now except PayPal. You can purchase gift cards up to $250.
Nike Factory Store
Located at the Mills Mall in Hazelwood, Mo., this store offers a unique experience. Besides running shoes, they carry all sorts of sports gear. They are located in suite 318, near entry 3. Their phone number is 314-227-5575.
It is the family headquarters for the value customer. Most products here are from past seasons and are offered at discount prices.
Reebok Outlet
This outlet is also located at the Mills Mall. It is in suite 158, near Cabela's. You can save up to 65 percent on some items including shoes. they have accessories for the entire family.
The Mills is located just across the Mississippi river from Alton.
Blacks Sporting Goods
Blacks is located at 2729 Govelin Street in Alton. They are located just off the Belt-line Highway. This is a small sporting goods store. You can order your running gear through them. They do a lot of work by catalog.
On a personal note, I have done business with them for years and have found them to be very reliable.
These are five running gear stores that I would recommend to anyone.
2011年3月31日星期四
2011年3月30日星期三
Walk A Mile In Her Shoes
The Men's March To Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence! Men, Women and Children are invited to be a part of this event. Walk a Mile In Her Shoes is about making a difference and prevention of Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence. Samantha Church, survivor, will speak before the Walk at 5:30pm. She will tell her story of survival and courage and how it has affected her life. For more information, call Albion Fellows Bacon Center at 812-422-9372 or USI Assistant Program Director of Student Wellness, Christine Tolis, at 812-461-5483. This event is a great opportunity to raise your voice as part of Safety Week. This project is licensed by Frank Baird and Walk a Mile in Her Shores, a Venture Humanity, Inc. Project.
Man distracts clerk, steals $210 from hotel money drawer
A man's car was broken into in the 4100 block of Union Square Boulevard. The man's wallet, which was left in the center console, was taken. The man told police he could not remember if he had locked his car . After examining the vehicle, police could not determine a point of entry or any visible damage. Because the car was in such poor condition the officer did not process the vehicle for evidence.
DRUGS
A man and woman were found sleeping in a vehicle in the 1500 block of 15th Court. When the officer arrived he discovered the car running and the two occupants still asleep. Upon knocking on the window and rousing the pair, the woman, who was the driver, seemed confused as to why the officer was present. She said she was there to meet her surfing instructor. After requesting the pair step out of the vehicle the officer noticed two pills on the driver's seat. Also found were a bag containing a glass pipe with marijuana residue, rolling papers, six pieces of aluminum foil, 31 small zippered plastic bags and four razor blades. The woman also had more than $1,500 in cash on her. The woman was charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.
Jupiter Police
THEFT
A man stole $210 from a hotel in the 6700 block of Indiantown. The man walked into the hotel's lobby and asked the cashier for some towels. The woman, thinking the man was a guest, walked away to get the towels. While she was gone, the man went behind the counter and removed $210 from the unlocked cash drawer.
An airless paint sprayer and equipment worth $3,300 were stolen from a church in the 400 block of Center Street. The equipment was taken from a storage room .
A woman entered a store in the 75 block of East Indiantown Road and stole two pairs of men's Nike tennis shoes. The woman walked in, grabbed the shoes and ran out of the store. She jumped into a waiting vehicle, which sped off. The shoes were valued at $400.
VEHICLE BURGLARY
A GPS and $25 in cash were stolen from an unlocked vehicle in the 100 block of Ocean Cove Drive. The GPS was valued at $495.
The owner of a truck in the 700 block of South U.S. 1 said someone stole two stocked toolboxes from the bed of his truck overnight. The man estimated the total value at $450.
BATTERY
Police arrested a woman for simple battery after she dumped a pot of water on and threw a plate at her roommate. The woman had taken her roommate's blanket and he was trying to retrieve it when she became agitated . When police arrived the woman would not obey the officer's commands and kept interrupting officers as they tried to interview the roommate.
North Palm Beach Police
TRESPASSING
A property manager called police after finding a man on his property in the 300 block of Golfview Road. The police told the man, who said he was a private investigator, to leave and warned him against trespassing.
THEFT
Several potted plants and a door decoration were stolen from a residence in the 100 block of Paradise Harbour Boulevard. Though the homeowners called police, they declined to file a report once officers arrived.
ANIMAL PROBLEM
Four chocolate Labs chased a woman and her two small dogs home in the 700 block of Hummingbird Way. The woman said this has been an ongoing problem. She didn't know if the animals were still loose, but asked police to contact the dogs' owner. The police advised the owner against letting his dogs roam the neighborhood.
Sheriff's Office
VEHICLE BURGLARY
A thief smashed a window of a vehicle parked in 11511 block of Ellison Wilson Road in North Palm Beach, and grabbed a beach bag that was on the back seat. Among items in the bag were an iPod Touch and a college textbook.
A woman left her vehicle for service at a business in the 3700 block of Northlake Boulevard in Lake Park. Her laptop computer was in the trunk. After she picked up the vehicle and drove home, she realized the $600 computer was gone.
HOME BURGLARY
A Briggs & Stratton portable generator was taken from the garage of a home in the 1600 block of Boxwood Road in North Palm Beach. The homeowner said she left the key in the lock of the door.
A resident in the 4700 block of Square Lake Drive in Palm Beach Gardens left keys in a rear door to his home. A burglar used the keys to unlock the door, and steal a DVD player, a Direct TV DVR and a laptop computer.
BUSINESS BURGLARY
Someone removed screws from a door hinge at a storage facility in the 3600 block of West Blue Heron Boulevard in Riviera Beach. The intruder took a turkey rotisserie oven, computer and antique wood table.
An attempt was made to break into a business in the 15100 block of Park of Commerce Boulevard in Jupiter between 5 and 11 p.m. An employee came to work and found his truck parked in front of the building. The vehicle's ignition damaged. A hole was cut in one of the bay doors of the business. It appeared someone started the truck and moved it to the front of the building to cover the burglary attempt.
DRUGS
A man and woman were found sleeping in a vehicle in the 1500 block of 15th Court. When the officer arrived he discovered the car running and the two occupants still asleep. Upon knocking on the window and rousing the pair, the woman, who was the driver, seemed confused as to why the officer was present. She said she was there to meet her surfing instructor. After requesting the pair step out of the vehicle the officer noticed two pills on the driver's seat. Also found were a bag containing a glass pipe with marijuana residue, rolling papers, six pieces of aluminum foil, 31 small zippered plastic bags and four razor blades. The woman also had more than $1,500 in cash on her. The woman was charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.
Jupiter Police
THEFT
A man stole $210 from a hotel in the 6700 block of Indiantown. The man walked into the hotel's lobby and asked the cashier for some towels. The woman, thinking the man was a guest, walked away to get the towels. While she was gone, the man went behind the counter and removed $210 from the unlocked cash drawer.
An airless paint sprayer and equipment worth $3,300 were stolen from a church in the 400 block of Center Street. The equipment was taken from a storage room .
A woman entered a store in the 75 block of East Indiantown Road and stole two pairs of men's Nike tennis shoes. The woman walked in, grabbed the shoes and ran out of the store. She jumped into a waiting vehicle, which sped off. The shoes were valued at $400.
VEHICLE BURGLARY
A GPS and $25 in cash were stolen from an unlocked vehicle in the 100 block of Ocean Cove Drive. The GPS was valued at $495.
The owner of a truck in the 700 block of South U.S. 1 said someone stole two stocked toolboxes from the bed of his truck overnight. The man estimated the total value at $450.
BATTERY
Police arrested a woman for simple battery after she dumped a pot of water on and threw a plate at her roommate. The woman had taken her roommate's blanket and he was trying to retrieve it when she became agitated . When police arrived the woman would not obey the officer's commands and kept interrupting officers as they tried to interview the roommate.
North Palm Beach Police
TRESPASSING
A property manager called police after finding a man on his property in the 300 block of Golfview Road. The police told the man, who said he was a private investigator, to leave and warned him against trespassing.
THEFT
Several potted plants and a door decoration were stolen from a residence in the 100 block of Paradise Harbour Boulevard. Though the homeowners called police, they declined to file a report once officers arrived.
ANIMAL PROBLEM
Four chocolate Labs chased a woman and her two small dogs home in the 700 block of Hummingbird Way. The woman said this has been an ongoing problem. She didn't know if the animals were still loose, but asked police to contact the dogs' owner. The police advised the owner against letting his dogs roam the neighborhood.
Sheriff's Office
VEHICLE BURGLARY
A thief smashed a window of a vehicle parked in 11511 block of Ellison Wilson Road in North Palm Beach, and grabbed a beach bag that was on the back seat. Among items in the bag were an iPod Touch and a college textbook.
A woman left her vehicle for service at a business in the 3700 block of Northlake Boulevard in Lake Park. Her laptop computer was in the trunk. After she picked up the vehicle and drove home, she realized the $600 computer was gone.
HOME BURGLARY
A Briggs & Stratton portable generator was taken from the garage of a home in the 1600 block of Boxwood Road in North Palm Beach. The homeowner said she left the key in the lock of the door.
A resident in the 4700 block of Square Lake Drive in Palm Beach Gardens left keys in a rear door to his home. A burglar used the keys to unlock the door, and steal a DVD player, a Direct TV DVR and a laptop computer.
BUSINESS BURGLARY
Someone removed screws from a door hinge at a storage facility in the 3600 block of West Blue Heron Boulevard in Riviera Beach. The intruder took a turkey rotisserie oven, computer and antique wood table.
An attempt was made to break into a business in the 15100 block of Park of Commerce Boulevard in Jupiter between 5 and 11 p.m. An employee came to work and found his truck parked in front of the building. The vehicle's ignition damaged. A hole was cut in one of the bay doors of the business. It appeared someone started the truck and moved it to the front of the building to cover the burglary attempt.
2011年3月29日星期二
Who says comfy shoes can't be fashionable?
The only thing worse than unstylish shoes is uncomfortable shoes, a fact I learned while walking abroad once in footwear that pinched. After a whole day trekking in fashionable flats that somehow morphed into torture devices, I was hobbled to the point where I couldn't take another step. Looking around in desperation I spied, like an oasis in the desert, a Clarks store. The comfy-looking shoes in the shop window looked like a sure escape from pain, so I limped into the store. Minutes later I emerged with a spring in my step, my feet lovingly cushioned by black walking shoes that managed to be comfortable and stylish at the same time.
That's how I became a fan of Clarks, which Cinderella brought to the Philippines in 2007. Though Clarks shoes are a British institution that have been around for almost 200 years, these aren't your grandparents' shoes — not by a long shot.
"In the past Clarks has been associated with mature styling, but five years ago we started taking it in a younger direction," says Fong Wan Kwan, general manager of Clarks Southeast Asia. "We let the product speak for itself, so the shoes are the star."
Another misconception is that Clarks is just for men. That's far from the truth, though they do offer fantastic work, sports and dress shoes for men.
"It's actually a ladies' and men's brand," clarifies Richie Santos, group manager of Cinderella's imported division. "The strength of our sales right now is 60 percent ladies and 40 percent men, so we have a lot of new and fashionable styles for women."
Evidence that Clarks has indeed reinvented itself for the current generation was its recent spring/summer 2011 launch in Singapore, an ultra-stylish event that took place in Sentosa's exclusive One∞15 Marina Club. In addition to not one, but three fashion shows, Clarks offered Southeast Asian media a yacht cruise around the island, a reminder of Clarks' expertise in making boat shoes, and a perfect excuse to wear nautical, one of summer's top trends.
We also visited the top-performing stores in Ion Mall on Orchard Road and the Marina Bay Sands; here in the Philippines we have seven Clarks boutiques, the newest and biggest of which is the one in Mall of Asia.
At the stores and later, during the fashion shows, I was amazed at how far Clarks has come style-wise. Always on the lookout for that rare specimen — fashionable high heels with comfortable soles —I spotted quite a number of them in styles that are as forward as any designer Italian or French brand.
Here's a quick breakdown of Clarks' SS 11 lines to guide you:
Walk On Air
Collection: Active Air
What it's about: Comfort taken to a whole new level.
Innovative technology: Air Flow System, hundreds of tiny pockets in the insole that trap air, creating a cushion to absorb impact between the wearer and the ground beneath.
Made from three different densities of foam so it doesn't flatten with wear, the foot bed is also moisture-wicking and quick-drying to combat odor and keep germs and bacteria at bay.
Must-haves for women: The Faun Robe, a wedge pump that works equally well with business attire or shorts; or the Rhythmic Vibe, a flat sandal great for weekend wear.
Must-haves for men: Reflect Mocc driving shoes or the Movers Sun sandal, which Clarks claims is its "most comfortable sandal — ever."
Walk Further, Feel Fitter
Collection: Sports
What it's about: A range of performance footwear of which Clarks' boat shoes are best in class, earning the endorsement of elite, Olympic-level sailors.
Innovative technologies: Aquadx Water Drainage system for expelling water and preventing sliding; an Atsu Massage Footbed to stimulate the feet and improve circulation; and rock soles for slip-resistance.
Must-have for women: The Idyllic pump, a sports shoe inspired by the Pilates trend, not to mention it's so cute you'll want to use it as an everyday flat.
Must-haves for men: Rocco Fuse, the ultimate urban walking shoe with its oxford-meets-trainer looks; and Quay Port, an authentic tricolor boat shoe that functions just as well on a deck as it does on a beach or city sidewalk.
Work and Play Shoes
Collection: Look and Feel
What it's about: Clarks' most fashionable line covers all your wardrobe needs for work, play and parties.
Innovative technology: Softwear, specially engineered underfoot cushioning technology
Must-haves for women: Bodrum Market, a leather peep-toe pump; Scenic Way, an on-trend platform sandal; Arizona Sands, lightweight, super-soft metallic ballet flats; and Capricorn Moon, the perfect work shoe with its sleek-but-stable wedge style and ankle strap.
Must-have for men: Wingtip shoes are back, according to Santos, and Clarks has them in premium leathers with an Atsu massage foot bed to boot.
If "Helen and David" were the original muses Clarks had in mind when designing for its customers, today it's "Sam and Anne," a thoroughly modern young couple with small children, according to Evelyn Ladim, general manager of Clarks Philippines. "Clarks also has a children's line that will soon be available here."
"In Manila our partner Cinderella has done a fantastic job for the brand," notes Fong. "They have really gone with us in a shared direction and increasingly they're going to offer to the Philippine market the most up-to-date collections we have in London. It's a market that has great potential."
Clarks, which sells in 165 countries around the world, is the No. 1 shoe retailer in the UK and the fastest-growing brand in the Asia-Pacific. They sell about 45 million pairs worldwide each year with a turnover of about US$1.7 billion, making it the No. 1 casual shoe brand in the world.
Founded in 1825 by brothers Cyrus and James Clark in an English village called Street, Clarks started as a maker of sheepskin slippers. Since then they've shod customers in every conceivable style, from court shoes to sneakers, with the brand really taking off after it launched its Desert Boot in 1950, and again with its Wallabee in the '60s. You can still see these iconic shapes in many of Clarks' shoes today.
"We're happy our principals are reinventing the brand," says Santos. "Comfort shoes is where their strength is — that's the core of their business — but now we have a lot more fashionable shoe designs for men and women."
* * *
Clarks stores are located on the second level South Wing, SM Mall of Asia; second level Midtown Wing, Robinsons Place Manila; third level The Block, SM City North Edsa; second level Bldg. A, SM Megamall; ground level Glorietta 3; ground level Greenhills Shopping Center; and ground level inside Cinderella in Alabang Town Center.
That's how I became a fan of Clarks, which Cinderella brought to the Philippines in 2007. Though Clarks shoes are a British institution that have been around for almost 200 years, these aren't your grandparents' shoes — not by a long shot.
"In the past Clarks has been associated with mature styling, but five years ago we started taking it in a younger direction," says Fong Wan Kwan, general manager of Clarks Southeast Asia. "We let the product speak for itself, so the shoes are the star."
Another misconception is that Clarks is just for men. That's far from the truth, though they do offer fantastic work, sports and dress shoes for men.
"It's actually a ladies' and men's brand," clarifies Richie Santos, group manager of Cinderella's imported division. "The strength of our sales right now is 60 percent ladies and 40 percent men, so we have a lot of new and fashionable styles for women."
Evidence that Clarks has indeed reinvented itself for the current generation was its recent spring/summer 2011 launch in Singapore, an ultra-stylish event that took place in Sentosa's exclusive One∞15 Marina Club. In addition to not one, but three fashion shows, Clarks offered Southeast Asian media a yacht cruise around the island, a reminder of Clarks' expertise in making boat shoes, and a perfect excuse to wear nautical, one of summer's top trends.
We also visited the top-performing stores in Ion Mall on Orchard Road and the Marina Bay Sands; here in the Philippines we have seven Clarks boutiques, the newest and biggest of which is the one in Mall of Asia.
At the stores and later, during the fashion shows, I was amazed at how far Clarks has come style-wise. Always on the lookout for that rare specimen — fashionable high heels with comfortable soles —I spotted quite a number of them in styles that are as forward as any designer Italian or French brand.
Here's a quick breakdown of Clarks' SS 11 lines to guide you:
Walk On Air
Collection: Active Air
What it's about: Comfort taken to a whole new level.
Innovative technology: Air Flow System, hundreds of tiny pockets in the insole that trap air, creating a cushion to absorb impact between the wearer and the ground beneath.
Made from three different densities of foam so it doesn't flatten with wear, the foot bed is also moisture-wicking and quick-drying to combat odor and keep germs and bacteria at bay.
Must-haves for women: The Faun Robe, a wedge pump that works equally well with business attire or shorts; or the Rhythmic Vibe, a flat sandal great for weekend wear.
Must-haves for men: Reflect Mocc driving shoes or the Movers Sun sandal, which Clarks claims is its "most comfortable sandal — ever."
Walk Further, Feel Fitter
Collection: Sports
What it's about: A range of performance footwear of which Clarks' boat shoes are best in class, earning the endorsement of elite, Olympic-level sailors.
Innovative technologies: Aquadx Water Drainage system for expelling water and preventing sliding; an Atsu Massage Footbed to stimulate the feet and improve circulation; and rock soles for slip-resistance.
Must-have for women: The Idyllic pump, a sports shoe inspired by the Pilates trend, not to mention it's so cute you'll want to use it as an everyday flat.
Must-haves for men: Rocco Fuse, the ultimate urban walking shoe with its oxford-meets-trainer looks; and Quay Port, an authentic tricolor boat shoe that functions just as well on a deck as it does on a beach or city sidewalk.
Work and Play Shoes
Collection: Look and Feel
What it's about: Clarks' most fashionable line covers all your wardrobe needs for work, play and parties.
Innovative technology: Softwear, specially engineered underfoot cushioning technology
Must-haves for women: Bodrum Market, a leather peep-toe pump; Scenic Way, an on-trend platform sandal; Arizona Sands, lightweight, super-soft metallic ballet flats; and Capricorn Moon, the perfect work shoe with its sleek-but-stable wedge style and ankle strap.
Must-have for men: Wingtip shoes are back, according to Santos, and Clarks has them in premium leathers with an Atsu massage foot bed to boot.
If "Helen and David" were the original muses Clarks had in mind when designing for its customers, today it's "Sam and Anne," a thoroughly modern young couple with small children, according to Evelyn Ladim, general manager of Clarks Philippines. "Clarks also has a children's line that will soon be available here."
"In Manila our partner Cinderella has done a fantastic job for the brand," notes Fong. "They have really gone with us in a shared direction and increasingly they're going to offer to the Philippine market the most up-to-date collections we have in London. It's a market that has great potential."
Clarks, which sells in 165 countries around the world, is the No. 1 shoe retailer in the UK and the fastest-growing brand in the Asia-Pacific. They sell about 45 million pairs worldwide each year with a turnover of about US$1.7 billion, making it the No. 1 casual shoe brand in the world.
Founded in 1825 by brothers Cyrus and James Clark in an English village called Street, Clarks started as a maker of sheepskin slippers. Since then they've shod customers in every conceivable style, from court shoes to sneakers, with the brand really taking off after it launched its Desert Boot in 1950, and again with its Wallabee in the '60s. You can still see these iconic shapes in many of Clarks' shoes today.
"We're happy our principals are reinventing the brand," says Santos. "Comfort shoes is where their strength is — that's the core of their business — but now we have a lot more fashionable shoe designs for men and women."
* * *
Clarks stores are located on the second level South Wing, SM Mall of Asia; second level Midtown Wing, Robinsons Place Manila; third level The Block, SM City North Edsa; second level Bldg. A, SM Megamall; ground level Glorietta 3; ground level Greenhills Shopping Center; and ground level inside Cinderella in Alabang Town Center.
2011年3月28日星期一
Five Ten Footwear now available from E-Outdoor
Northampton, England - E-Outdoor, a leading retailer of branded outdoor clothing and equipment, are now stocking a new climbing and approach shoe brand, Five Ten.
Family-owned company Five Ten has been designing and retailing outdoor sports footwear since 1985, creating climbing and approach shoes which use innovative Stealth rubber sole technology: the company's own quality signature. The Stealth rubber sole was created by avid climbers for avid climbers, and produces more friction, higher durability, and comfort for the wearer; allowing them to climb on otherwise-unreachable planes.
E-Outdoor is now stocking a selection of Five Ten's specialist footwear which makes use of this revolutionary technology, including unisex climbing shoes and men's approach shoes. The footwear is used by world-class athletes and climbing, hiking, paddling and trail-running enthusiasts who prioritise high performance and the ability to reach otherwise unreachable areas during outdoor activities.
“We are genuinely thrilled to have the opportunity to feature such renowned, innovative footwear on our website and in store, and have incredibly high hopes for the popularity of the Five Ten brand amongst our customers,” commented a spokesperson for E-Outdoor. "We offer a comprehensive fitting and size guide, extensive customer feedback and a 30 day returns policy on all Five Ten footwear featured on our site, so our customers can easily find the perfect shoes for their requirements and purchase from us without fuss. We look forward to seeing the Five Ten brand prove to be a successful and profitable addition to our website."
Family-owned company Five Ten has been designing and retailing outdoor sports footwear since 1985, creating climbing and approach shoes which use innovative Stealth rubber sole technology: the company's own quality signature. The Stealth rubber sole was created by avid climbers for avid climbers, and produces more friction, higher durability, and comfort for the wearer; allowing them to climb on otherwise-unreachable planes.
E-Outdoor is now stocking a selection of Five Ten's specialist footwear which makes use of this revolutionary technology, including unisex climbing shoes and men's approach shoes. The footwear is used by world-class athletes and climbing, hiking, paddling and trail-running enthusiasts who prioritise high performance and the ability to reach otherwise unreachable areas during outdoor activities.
“We are genuinely thrilled to have the opportunity to feature such renowned, innovative footwear on our website and in store, and have incredibly high hopes for the popularity of the Five Ten brand amongst our customers,” commented a spokesperson for E-Outdoor. "We offer a comprehensive fitting and size guide, extensive customer feedback and a 30 day returns policy on all Five Ten footwear featured on our site, so our customers can easily find the perfect shoes for their requirements and purchase from us without fuss. We look forward to seeing the Five Ten brand prove to be a successful and profitable addition to our website."
2011年3月22日星期二
Fashion Summons Back Don Johnson, Sinatra
Swimsuit season may be months away, but spring brings men other kinds of suits (and accoutrements) to shop for. Main Street retailers are far ahead of the curve; shelves at J. Crew and Brooks Brothers are already stocked with what could be some of the season's must-have items, including countless versions of leather boat shoes, striped-shawl collar cardigans and dark linen suits.
Some trends for spring and summer are altogether new, while others give favorites more dramatic and enhanced variations.
The fashionable foot has two notable varieties for spring, the more formal being colorful interpretations of the classic boat shoe with a black-and-white leather version from Gucci or a Quoddy's clematis blue version from J. Crew with a campfire moccasin-spin for $230. Sandals are the other, managing to evolve from last season's understated and sleek-heeled variations to outright Roman gladiator (aka Jerusalem cruiser or Jesus sandal) style with occasional ankle-strap detailing. Lanvin designer Alber Elbazmore has a more luxurious adaptation; he debuted a two-tone lizard-skin version of the chunky sandal with rubber sole in his recent Paris show.
Summer suits favor linen fabrics and subtle prints. English-born Simon Spurr brought his Saville Row skills that defined such brands as Ralph Lauren Purple Label and Saint Lauren to his own recent Simon Spurr show in New York with a line of remarkably tailored, refined suits favored by such Hollywood trendsetters as James Franco and Justin Timberlake. Spurr's take on the casual suit -- a tan linen two-button suit with not-too-snug inseam and engineered strip -- won't have you looking like a wrinkled napkin by the end of the workday. It's one of the best linen suits seen for the season, and his gingham wool two-button suit is another standout. It has a lighter seasonal weight and a matching vest that adds a dressier dimension.
Some trends for spring and summer are altogether new, while others give favorites more dramatic and enhanced variations.
The fashionable foot has two notable varieties for spring, the more formal being colorful interpretations of the classic boat shoe with a black-and-white leather version from Gucci or a Quoddy's clematis blue version from J. Crew with a campfire moccasin-spin for $230. Sandals are the other, managing to evolve from last season's understated and sleek-heeled variations to outright Roman gladiator (aka Jerusalem cruiser or Jesus sandal) style with occasional ankle-strap detailing. Lanvin designer Alber Elbazmore has a more luxurious adaptation; he debuted a two-tone lizard-skin version of the chunky sandal with rubber sole in his recent Paris show.
Summer suits favor linen fabrics and subtle prints. English-born Simon Spurr brought his Saville Row skills that defined such brands as Ralph Lauren Purple Label and Saint Lauren to his own recent Simon Spurr show in New York with a line of remarkably tailored, refined suits favored by such Hollywood trendsetters as James Franco and Justin Timberlake. Spurr's take on the casual suit -- a tan linen two-button suit with not-too-snug inseam and engineered strip -- won't have you looking like a wrinkled napkin by the end of the workday. It's one of the best linen suits seen for the season, and his gingham wool two-button suit is another standout. It has a lighter seasonal weight and a matching vest that adds a dressier dimension.
2011年3月20日星期日
Jimmy Choo's fragrance face-off with ... the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Skates versus stilettos, pucks versus purses, goalies versus glossies.
Until recently, finding parallels between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Jimmy Choo would have been an exercise in futility. But both the NHL team and the luxury footwear label have just unveiled their first fragrances, which can only mean one thing: Let the perfume playoffs begin!
First, some context. A scent from Jimmy Choo was long overdue. The luxury brand, now 15 years old, continues to be both successful and much coveted. Product extensions include handbags and men's shoes, sunglasses and scarves (let's pretend the collaboration with UGG boots never happened). For Jimmy Choo, overseen by co-founder and former British Vogue editor Tamara Mellon, a fragrance is a natural and expected ancillary category.
Now consider how Leafs jerseys and the related apparel represent one of the most ubiquitous clothing logos in Canada. It is the very antithesis of exclusive. The problem is that a fiercely loyal fan base does not guarantee the success of a product that has little relation to the overall brand.
So whereas a fragrance allows the Jimmy Choo brand to be more accessible, the Leafs scent is designed to work in the opposite way – to elevate the brand. Guess which approach makes for an easier sell.
Thankfully, the Leafs fragrances (Blue for men, White for women) do not smell like sweaty jerseys and locker rooms. Neither is the Jimmy Choo juice redolent of leather or suede.
Scent-wise, the Choo works on many levels. Floral, fruity and dessert-like, it is sweet but also complex thanks to notes of toffee and patchouli. Teenagers, thirtysomething professionals and soccer moms alike would all appreciate its bright sensuality and soft suggestion
of glamour.
White is also surprisingly wearable, although not nearly as sophisticated. The olfactory profile includes white lily, rose, patchouli and vanilla and the effect is somewhat evocative of hairspray. Let's just say I've smelled much worse.
Alas, the men's scent, Blue, deserves time in the penalty box. Its base consists of apple, bergamot and sandalwood and other notes including musk. If a Tom Ford fragrance is akin to Most Valuable Player, Blue wouldn't even rank as a peewee player. It reminds me of colognes from the mid-1990s and I'd be mighty peeved to have season tickets beside someone who smelled like Blue every game.
But I reserve my biggest complaint for both Leafs flacons. Sporting the logo in black ink, the clear labels are no better than what I'm capable of printing at home, while the shapes – squat and bean-like for women, square with a nipped centre for men – have little visual appeal. The caps are a particularly fine example of cheap.
By contrast, the Jimmy Choo bottle is a playful juxtaposition of a blush pink, cocoon-shaped, faceted bottle with a black and silver cubed cap.
Although Leafs wives and girlfriends were apparently involved in the creation of the scents, the players sat out the sniff tests. Mellon, meanwhile, told fashion scribe Derek Blasberg in an interview last November that she had to do a lot of smelling. “You just have to go with what you like and hope everyone else likes it.”
Now if I told you that one brand offers 50 millilitres of its fragrance for $89.99 and the other sells a 60-millilitre bottle for $73, you'd probably guess Choo was the former and Leafs the latter, right? Think again. It is, in fact, the other way around. How's that for sticker shock! (In the Leafs case, though, $25 from each sale of the fragrances will be donated to the MLSE Team Up Foundation, a youth sport and recreation charity.)
Ultimately, White and Blue have all the trappings of novelty product, while Jimmy Choo seems poised to become the season's top scent. So it's not that one is necessarily a winner and the other a loser. It's a matter of whether each achieves its goal.
Until recently, finding parallels between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Jimmy Choo would have been an exercise in futility. But both the NHL team and the luxury footwear label have just unveiled their first fragrances, which can only mean one thing: Let the perfume playoffs begin!
First, some context. A scent from Jimmy Choo was long overdue. The luxury brand, now 15 years old, continues to be both successful and much coveted. Product extensions include handbags and men's shoes, sunglasses and scarves (let's pretend the collaboration with UGG boots never happened). For Jimmy Choo, overseen by co-founder and former British Vogue editor Tamara Mellon, a fragrance is a natural and expected ancillary category.
Now consider how Leafs jerseys and the related apparel represent one of the most ubiquitous clothing logos in Canada. It is the very antithesis of exclusive. The problem is that a fiercely loyal fan base does not guarantee the success of a product that has little relation to the overall brand.
So whereas a fragrance allows the Jimmy Choo brand to be more accessible, the Leafs scent is designed to work in the opposite way – to elevate the brand. Guess which approach makes for an easier sell.
Thankfully, the Leafs fragrances (Blue for men, White for women) do not smell like sweaty jerseys and locker rooms. Neither is the Jimmy Choo juice redolent of leather or suede.
Scent-wise, the Choo works on many levels. Floral, fruity and dessert-like, it is sweet but also complex thanks to notes of toffee and patchouli. Teenagers, thirtysomething professionals and soccer moms alike would all appreciate its bright sensuality and soft suggestion
of glamour.
White is also surprisingly wearable, although not nearly as sophisticated. The olfactory profile includes white lily, rose, patchouli and vanilla and the effect is somewhat evocative of hairspray. Let's just say I've smelled much worse.
Alas, the men's scent, Blue, deserves time in the penalty box. Its base consists of apple, bergamot and sandalwood and other notes including musk. If a Tom Ford fragrance is akin to Most Valuable Player, Blue wouldn't even rank as a peewee player. It reminds me of colognes from the mid-1990s and I'd be mighty peeved to have season tickets beside someone who smelled like Blue every game.
But I reserve my biggest complaint for both Leafs flacons. Sporting the logo in black ink, the clear labels are no better than what I'm capable of printing at home, while the shapes – squat and bean-like for women, square with a nipped centre for men – have little visual appeal. The caps are a particularly fine example of cheap.
By contrast, the Jimmy Choo bottle is a playful juxtaposition of a blush pink, cocoon-shaped, faceted bottle with a black and silver cubed cap.
Although Leafs wives and girlfriends were apparently involved in the creation of the scents, the players sat out the sniff tests. Mellon, meanwhile, told fashion scribe Derek Blasberg in an interview last November that she had to do a lot of smelling. “You just have to go with what you like and hope everyone else likes it.”
Now if I told you that one brand offers 50 millilitres of its fragrance for $89.99 and the other sells a 60-millilitre bottle for $73, you'd probably guess Choo was the former and Leafs the latter, right? Think again. It is, in fact, the other way around. How's that for sticker shock! (In the Leafs case, though, $25 from each sale of the fragrances will be donated to the MLSE Team Up Foundation, a youth sport and recreation charity.)
Ultimately, White and Blue have all the trappings of novelty product, while Jimmy Choo seems poised to become the season's top scent. So it's not that one is necessarily a winner and the other a loser. It's a matter of whether each achieves its goal.
2011年3月15日星期二
Allen Edmonds, the World's Largest Cobbler, Begins Recrafting Sale
Men just don't seem to want to give up their favorite well-worn shoes. That may be why the women in their lives sneak into their closets once a year to clean them out. This spring, there is a better solution for everyone, as long as his shoes are Allen Edmonds.
The U.S.-based shoe manufacturer announced its annual Recrafting? sale began March 14, and runs through April 3. For only $89, Allen Edmonds will re-build your shoes using a 38-step process that includes replacing the sole and heel, attaching a new welt and applying fresh form-fitting heated cork, as well as refinishing the leather uppers to bring them back to like-new condition. The uppers are even re-fit to the original last, ensuring the shoe feels just as comfortable after the Recrafting process. In just a matter of weeks, the recrafted shoes are returned to their owners ready to easily pass the eye-test of wives and boardrooms.
"We actually reconstruct the majority of the shoe," said Colin Hall, Chief Marketing Officer of Allen Edmonds. "Shoes sent to us are deconstructed and recrafted using the same superior materials and techniques used to make our new shoes."
Superior Quality and Value
Allen Edmonds is believed to be the world's largest cobbler, Recrafting over 60,000 pairs of Allen Edmonds shoes annually. Based in Port Washington, Wis., the 300+ skilled American cobblers, some of whom are second and third generation employees, produce Goodyear welted shoes worn by businessmen, politicians, athletes and celebrities around the world.
"We bring men the styling, construction and service they've come to depend on," said Hall. "With proper care, our customers wear Allen Edmonds shoes for many years. With our Recrafting service, they can significantly extend the life of their favorite shoes for about one-third the cost of a new pair."
During the three-week sale, Allen Edmonds is discounting its Recrafting Standard Package by 10 percent. The company does offer its Recrafting services year-round. New this year, the company will begin to recraft its Italian collection.
The U.S.-based shoe manufacturer announced its annual Recrafting? sale began March 14, and runs through April 3. For only $89, Allen Edmonds will re-build your shoes using a 38-step process that includes replacing the sole and heel, attaching a new welt and applying fresh form-fitting heated cork, as well as refinishing the leather uppers to bring them back to like-new condition. The uppers are even re-fit to the original last, ensuring the shoe feels just as comfortable after the Recrafting process. In just a matter of weeks, the recrafted shoes are returned to their owners ready to easily pass the eye-test of wives and boardrooms.
"We actually reconstruct the majority of the shoe," said Colin Hall, Chief Marketing Officer of Allen Edmonds. "Shoes sent to us are deconstructed and recrafted using the same superior materials and techniques used to make our new shoes."
Superior Quality and Value
Allen Edmonds is believed to be the world's largest cobbler, Recrafting over 60,000 pairs of Allen Edmonds shoes annually. Based in Port Washington, Wis., the 300+ skilled American cobblers, some of whom are second and third generation employees, produce Goodyear welted shoes worn by businessmen, politicians, athletes and celebrities around the world.
"We bring men the styling, construction and service they've come to depend on," said Hall. "With proper care, our customers wear Allen Edmonds shoes for many years. With our Recrafting service, they can significantly extend the life of their favorite shoes for about one-third the cost of a new pair."
During the three-week sale, Allen Edmonds is discounting its Recrafting Standard Package by 10 percent. The company does offer its Recrafting services year-round. New this year, the company will begin to recraft its Italian collection.
2011年3月13日星期日
Burton Announces New Trends for Spring/Summer 2011
Burton reveals its new trends for the springs/summer season 2011.
The big trend this season is Burton's Army Surplus range, which carries on the military details of autumn/winter 2010 but gives it a softer reworking for the warmer months of the spring and summer season. These pieces are designed to make the transition from winter into spring with minimal effort, creating a laid back look that doesn't veer too far from the fashion rule book.
The Army Surplus trend features pieces such as waffle knit and cable knit cardigans, vintage style T-shirts, camouflage prints, worker style denim jeans, chinos such as the new 'o leg' chino, classic long sleeved shirts with added details on the pockets and shoulders and lightweight khaki parka jackets. The key colours for this look are grey, khaki and stone, which work together to create a look of mixed textures and tonal colours.
Burton has also increased its exclusive leisurewear Drift King range for this season after its success last year. The Drift King range now includes denim jeans, polo shirts, T-shirts, shorts, hoodies and checked shirts. These looks can be finished off with the addition of boat shoes or flip-flops.
The Drift King range is designed to look right at home at a summer music festival, while creating a masculine silhouette that is not trying too hard but is still cool. It is also versatile enough to be worn throughout the entire spring/summer season, allowing customers to create an entire seasons' wardrobe with a few key pieces.
About Burton:
Burton was originally founded in 1903 under the name of The Cross-Tailoring Company. It quickly became popular and expanded into hundreds of outlets and factories across the United Kingdom. Today, it is a staple on most high streets and a popular retailer for men's fashion, including gifts for men, men's shirts, casual clothing, men's jeans and men's shoes.
Customers can also shop online from the Burton website which offers free returns in-store or by post and fast delivery to their home. The site features a useful size guide to ensure customers can get the correct fit for all items. Customers can also sign up for the Burton newsletter, which offers all the latest style updates, exclusive discounts and competitions.
The big trend this season is Burton's Army Surplus range, which carries on the military details of autumn/winter 2010 but gives it a softer reworking for the warmer months of the spring and summer season. These pieces are designed to make the transition from winter into spring with minimal effort, creating a laid back look that doesn't veer too far from the fashion rule book.
The Army Surplus trend features pieces such as waffle knit and cable knit cardigans, vintage style T-shirts, camouflage prints, worker style denim jeans, chinos such as the new 'o leg' chino, classic long sleeved shirts with added details on the pockets and shoulders and lightweight khaki parka jackets. The key colours for this look are grey, khaki and stone, which work together to create a look of mixed textures and tonal colours.
Burton has also increased its exclusive leisurewear Drift King range for this season after its success last year. The Drift King range now includes denim jeans, polo shirts, T-shirts, shorts, hoodies and checked shirts. These looks can be finished off with the addition of boat shoes or flip-flops.
The Drift King range is designed to look right at home at a summer music festival, while creating a masculine silhouette that is not trying too hard but is still cool. It is also versatile enough to be worn throughout the entire spring/summer season, allowing customers to create an entire seasons' wardrobe with a few key pieces.
About Burton:
Burton was originally founded in 1903 under the name of The Cross-Tailoring Company. It quickly became popular and expanded into hundreds of outlets and factories across the United Kingdom. Today, it is a staple on most high streets and a popular retailer for men's fashion, including gifts for men, men's shirts, casual clothing, men's jeans and men's shoes.
Customers can also shop online from the Burton website which offers free returns in-store or by post and fast delivery to their home. The site features a useful size guide to ensure customers can get the correct fit for all items. Customers can also sign up for the Burton newsletter, which offers all the latest style updates, exclusive discounts and competitions.
2011年3月8日星期二
John Lobb Inspired Footwear made by Gaziano and Girling exclusively for Bespoke-England
A pair of classic gentleman's shoes play a vital role in making the first impression both in the personal or business sense. Men's shoes are currently manufactured by hundreds of companies worldwide, with English footwear manufacturers like John Lobb and Gaziano Girling making it to the elite list in the global up-market shoe industry.
When it comes to English footwear, Nick Anderson of Bespoke England England Ltd. has supplied and fitted the biggest names in bootmaking in London and Northampton: John Lobb, Edward Green, Crockett & Jones, and more recently, the fine English shoe brand, Gaziano & Girling.
To celebrate the opening of its newest shop in Uppingham, Bespoke England Ltd. is excited to announce two new shoe styles by Gaziano Girling – the ‘Uppingham' and the ‘Oakham'. These shoes have been specially commissioned and are exclusive to Bespoke England. These products embrace the high specification of John Lobb in terms of quality and craftsmanship, but are available in more diverse selections.
The ‘Oakham' is based on the John Lobb ‘Chapel' double monk strap shoe. The John Lobb ‘Chapel' is a single whole cut shoe, whereas the Gaziano and Girling ‘Oakham' from Bespoke England is a combination monk strap shoe, called ‘combination' because there is the option to use two different materials in the construction. While the ‘Chapel' is only available in very limited colours, the ‘Oakham' may be ordered in over 35 different colours including suedes, grains and exotic skins.
The ‘Uppingham,' on the other hand, is comparable to another John Lobb shoe: the ever popular ‘Vintage 2002'. The Uppingham is a two-tie Derby shoe with hand-stitched detail, and the ‘Uppingham' can also be made as a combination shoe, which, according to Nick Anderson, "allows for a wide range of choice that is just not available from other high-end brands.”
At this new shop in Uppingham, Rutland, Nick Anderson holds healthy stock of ready-to-wear shoes by Gaziano Girling – although custom made shoes do permit greater choice it involves waiting for the order to be completed. For customers with specialist requirements in either size or materials, Bespoke England Ltd. are also able to offer hand- and bench-made bespoke shoes from highly skilled craftsmen at Gaziano and Girling – so chosen for their outstanding craftsmanship, attention to detail and pride in their finished product.
When it comes to English footwear, Nick Anderson of Bespoke England England Ltd. has supplied and fitted the biggest names in bootmaking in London and Northampton: John Lobb, Edward Green, Crockett & Jones, and more recently, the fine English shoe brand, Gaziano & Girling.
To celebrate the opening of its newest shop in Uppingham, Bespoke England Ltd. is excited to announce two new shoe styles by Gaziano Girling – the ‘Uppingham' and the ‘Oakham'. These shoes have been specially commissioned and are exclusive to Bespoke England. These products embrace the high specification of John Lobb in terms of quality and craftsmanship, but are available in more diverse selections.
The ‘Oakham' is based on the John Lobb ‘Chapel' double monk strap shoe. The John Lobb ‘Chapel' is a single whole cut shoe, whereas the Gaziano and Girling ‘Oakham' from Bespoke England is a combination monk strap shoe, called ‘combination' because there is the option to use two different materials in the construction. While the ‘Chapel' is only available in very limited colours, the ‘Oakham' may be ordered in over 35 different colours including suedes, grains and exotic skins.
The ‘Uppingham,' on the other hand, is comparable to another John Lobb shoe: the ever popular ‘Vintage 2002'. The Uppingham is a two-tie Derby shoe with hand-stitched detail, and the ‘Uppingham' can also be made as a combination shoe, which, according to Nick Anderson, "allows for a wide range of choice that is just not available from other high-end brands.”
At this new shop in Uppingham, Rutland, Nick Anderson holds healthy stock of ready-to-wear shoes by Gaziano Girling – although custom made shoes do permit greater choice it involves waiting for the order to be completed. For customers with specialist requirements in either size or materials, Bespoke England Ltd. are also able to offer hand- and bench-made bespoke shoes from highly skilled craftsmen at Gaziano and Girling – so chosen for their outstanding craftsmanship, attention to detail and pride in their finished product.
2011年3月6日星期日
Asheville men's dance festival celebrates male performers
There are only two rules for participants in the Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre's Men's Dance Festival, returning Friday-Sunday.
You must dance. And you must be a man, according to dancer and director Giles Collard.
This results in a wild mix of ages and experience, from amateur to professional, as well as styles of dance performed, from belly dancing to break dancing. The festival pieces are probably best described as performance art rather than traditional dance acts.
"It's a great, fun festival," Collard said. "I would say that most of the pieces in the festival are humorous."
That's been the tone of the festival since it began in 2002. Organizers are even having fun with the "men-only" concept during intermission. They serve those stereotypically masculine munchies — wings — with beer.
Collard, who also teaches dance, took a three-year break from producing the festival because of his other commitments through Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre and is happy to return the event to the stage.
This year, 20 men will be dancing, singing and producing performance art. Local festival participants include Joe Mohar, tap dancer; Jim Julien, performance artist and puppeteer; and Collard and Douglas Haynes performing some of their humorous duets.
They will do "Shoes," which has become "the mascot piece of the festival," Collard said. "It is so athletic; we are literally bouncing off the walls. It is so funny."
The dancers wear shoes on their hands and charge at each other like bulls, Collard noted.
He was inspired to start the festival after traveling all over the world with the ACDT and finding almost every dance troupe consisting mostly of female dancers.
"It would always be like 60 women and one to six guys on stage," he said. "The only place was Cuba, where there were as many men as women."
And it's not that there aren't male dancers out there who want to perform, Collard said. "We have such good dancers in town," he said.
For each festival, Collard does a weekly workshop for usually about six weeks before the performances. "I do an abstract class with a concept that (participants) have to develop. … They create their own phrases, and then every night we create a different piece of choreography," he said. A couple of these pieces will appear in the festival.
The event has also helped inspire men in the audience to pursue dance.
"It's also motivating," Collard said. "I teach a boy's class and men's workshops. I have had quite a few men that saw the festival and got involved in my classes."
You must dance. And you must be a man, according to dancer and director Giles Collard.
This results in a wild mix of ages and experience, from amateur to professional, as well as styles of dance performed, from belly dancing to break dancing. The festival pieces are probably best described as performance art rather than traditional dance acts.
"It's a great, fun festival," Collard said. "I would say that most of the pieces in the festival are humorous."
That's been the tone of the festival since it began in 2002. Organizers are even having fun with the "men-only" concept during intermission. They serve those stereotypically masculine munchies — wings — with beer.
Collard, who also teaches dance, took a three-year break from producing the festival because of his other commitments through Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre and is happy to return the event to the stage.
This year, 20 men will be dancing, singing and producing performance art. Local festival participants include Joe Mohar, tap dancer; Jim Julien, performance artist and puppeteer; and Collard and Douglas Haynes performing some of their humorous duets.
They will do "Shoes," which has become "the mascot piece of the festival," Collard said. "It is so athletic; we are literally bouncing off the walls. It is so funny."
The dancers wear shoes on their hands and charge at each other like bulls, Collard noted.
He was inspired to start the festival after traveling all over the world with the ACDT and finding almost every dance troupe consisting mostly of female dancers.
"It would always be like 60 women and one to six guys on stage," he said. "The only place was Cuba, where there were as many men as women."
And it's not that there aren't male dancers out there who want to perform, Collard said. "We have such good dancers in town," he said.
For each festival, Collard does a weekly workshop for usually about six weeks before the performances. "I do an abstract class with a concept that (participants) have to develop. … They create their own phrases, and then every night we create a different piece of choreography," he said. A couple of these pieces will appear in the festival.
The event has also helped inspire men in the audience to pursue dance.
"It's also motivating," Collard said. "I teach a boy's class and men's workshops. I have had quite a few men that saw the festival and got involved in my classes."
2011年3月2日星期三
Charlie Sheen to Howard Stern: 'People would revolt' if John Stamos replaced him
Charlie Sheen took his "movement" to The Howard Stern Show this morning, and, sure enough, he peppered their conversation with the bizarre Sheenisms that are probably at this moment being ironed on thousands of poorly-manufactured ironic t-shirts. He referred to women who have sold their intimate Sheen stories to the press as "retarded zombies," and coined the sure-to-be-a-winning campaign slogan, "Hope is for suckers and tools." But his tiger blood seemed calm when Stern asked him about the rumor that John Stamos might be called upon to fill Sheen's shoes on Two and a Half Men. (For the record, insiders are denying the rumor.) "Would you be mad if Stamos replaced you?" asked Stern. "No, it's not his fault," Sheen replied. "He can't replace you, you say?" Stern provoked. "I don't know, I think the people would revolt."
Sheen promised to call Stern back tomorrow morning, and Stern volunteered to reach out to Chuck Lorre and then mediate as the two addressed their disagreements. What are the chances Lorre takes the bait?
Sheen promised to call Stern back tomorrow morning, and Stern volunteered to reach out to Chuck Lorre and then mediate as the two addressed their disagreements. What are the chances Lorre takes the bait?
订阅：
博文 (Atom)