#shegotgame: Styling the Jordan XII "Melo" GS Sneaker
2016 is shaping up to be a big year for the Jordan XII. Thanks to the the release of new "Master", the upcoming "Flu Games" - those of us with smaller feet got a treat with the "Melo" colourway. Released as a tribute to Melo's days with the Denver Nuggets the shoes feature an all white upper with university blue and gold details.
Originally I was planning to do a shoot at Coney Island inspired by one of my favourite movies, He Got Game. However, thanks to weather, time and a general lack of time and wardrobe (I've been on the road for three weeks) - I figured I'd keep it low-key. I was lucky to get a pair of these direct from Jordan two weeks before the release. I've been pining for a pair since they showed up on the sneaker e-streets months ago. I'm a big fan of the colourway for summer as the bright white is set off nicely by the classic baby blue and touch of gold. Personally, I love the curve of the XIIs mixed with more shapely silhouettes like body hugging skirts and dresses and meatier calves. These are going to be in heavy rotation for me this summer, however it'll be a struggle to keep them clean in the city. Did you pick up a pair and how would you style them? Let me know!
Full outfit details
Jacket: Theory by Olivier Theyskens
Shirt: Aritzia dress cut into top
Skirt: ALC LTD @ Blue and Cream
Sneakers: Jordan Brand XII "Melo" GS courtesy of Jordan Brand/Taylor Strategy
Sunglasses: Celine at Native Ken NY
Nails: Kim Nails Salon Toronto
Photography: Roger Messi
Shot on location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
#shegotstyle: My Reebok Classic's #StepForward Custom Marble Sneakers
As a sneaker fan since childhood, I've always dreamed of having my own shoe. I've customized pairs, designed on Nike iD and even went to sneaker design school to learn about sketching silhouettes from scratch and material and textile design. Putting a creative spin on sneakers and other fashion pieces is a great way to flex your artistic muscles but it's often hard to find some time to take a break and paint.
Recently, Reebok sent me a very cool kit to customize a pair of the Reebok Classic white leather sneakers. It's part of their #stepforward project which asks artists and influencers to define what their version of Classic is to them. The kit came in a giant branded paint can which included a blank canvas, paints (white, black and shades of grey), brushes, a tray, a black Krink marker, extra shoelaces and a paint mask.
It took me a little while to decide what I wanted to do with the shoe, as I love a classic white sneaker with a gum sole - it's so clean! I decided to go with a marble print as marble is a classic, natural stone that never goes out of style. I already have a marble laptop case, a marble agenda, marble bookends...so you get my enthusiasm for the stone. I didn't want to do the full shoe in marble so instead I wanted to colourblock it, so it could serve as a compliment to the white leather, gum sold and canvas laces.
To paint the shoe I decided to opt for nail polish instead of regular paint to ensure that the design could stay on the sneaker and dry properly. I wanted to make sure that I could not only create my own custom piece of art, but also wear it in the streets. After a ton of research on Pinterest, DIY blogs, Tumblr and a trip to both the Dollar Store and the art supply store, I was ready to go. I decided to use nail polish colors that were closed to the paints that Reebok sent me - black, white, light grey, graphite - and also added a few of my own colours using silver, mint green and gold. I've seen all three colours created in nature on marble in the past and I thought it would add a personal touch. I also picked up a gold textile medium marker to add my own touches of gold to the sneaker to compliment the gum sole.
Once I had all my supplies, I planned out my design and taped the show accordingly. To get the marbling effect for your sneakers, first make sure your taped up tightly. Then get a large bowl or tin and fill it with water - I used a foil turkey container from the Dollar Store. I added droplets of paint to the water and quickly swirl it around so it looks kind of like marble. The nail polish will dry fast so work quickly. Dip the untaped portions of the shoe in the paint, do one coat and see how it looks. I recommend doing one coat the cover the entire taped portion at a time. Then add more layers as it dries. Do both shoes and dunk as needed. Then once you're happy with the pattern, set it to dry.
After, I removed all the tape and touched up, adding more nail polish with a paint brush or sponge where necessary. You can remove excess paint from the edges with your finger or nail polish, but you won't be able to clean off entire sections - that paint is more or less permanent. I then went in with my gold marker to add touches to the tongue, Reebok branding and in the marble pattern itself, giving a little shine. Once I was happy with the design, I went over all the nail polish sections with an essie gel top coat to give it a subtle sheen.
After I washed my hands, arms and nails (this is a messy project no matter what) and the shoe had tried I was able to lace up the shoe and shoot it. While the shoes aren't quite perfect, I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Much like a piece of salvaged marble, they're a little rough but still a work for art for some. Let me know what you think of the sneakers and enjoy a few beauty shots below. Thanks to Reebok Classics for involving me in the #stepforward project. This is what classic is to me.
Photos by Pierre Richardson. Shot on location at the Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal.
shegotgame: Styling the Jordan I High and V Low "All-Star" Retros
Earlier today I had the opportunity to check out the opening of the brand new Jordan Brand flagship in downtown Toronto at - and called - 306 Yonge. After a tour of the space thanks to my "influencer" relationship with MJ's brand, I was lucky to receive some great gifts. The two I want to focus on are my two pairs of kicks - because it's gotta be the shoes. Both pairs are actually grade school (GS) specific line by Jordan Brand, that comes in extended GS sizing. While these two pairs are not a pack, they share the same colorway, pattern and shimmer.
The first pair are the Jordan I Retro High "All-Star" - colorway is wolf grey, metallic silver and white. There is a shimmer damask-style print on both uppers of each shoe. The Jordan wings logo is silver and embossed on the heel tab along with the stitched tonal Jumpman on the heel. The toe box and hell are more of a pale blue than a true wolf grey which mixes well with the textured upper. The US retail price for the Jordan I High Retro is $110.
The Jordan V Retro Low features the same style printed textile but it's all over the shoe. Black is secondary colour for the shoe instead of wolf grey, finished with an icy outsole and white midsole. There are hints of the wolf grey/pale blue color on the Jumpman branding of the shoe. The US retail price for the Jordan V Retro Low $140.
I'm generally not a girly-girl when it comes to sparkles, but the mix of a tonal, mostly neutral color palette against the patterned textile makes fore realFor today's tour and photoshoot, I brought along my frequent collaborator, photographer and friend extraordinaire Jennifer Toole. She and I are infamous in our little circle in that we turn everything into a photoshoot. So we took over the Jordan Store amongst the media preview and training (sorry y'all) to strike a few poses in my new kicks to give you an idea of how they look on foot. I'm sure I'll be shooting again in more than one outfit, but here's a taste before they release this Saturday.
- Photography: Jennifer Toole
- Hair color and styling: Lindsey Buro at Dat Salon
- Dress: Christopher Kane
- Footwear: Jordan Brand
- Nails: Lisa at Kim Nails Spa
shegotgame: Sneakers for good - RISE for PUMA "New York is for Lovers" Collection
Sneakers may seem like a frivolous purchase to some, but they can also be used as a conduit for philanthropic endeavours. Nike is own for their Dorebecher program while adidas is assisting universities and colleges with changing their mascots from culturally insensitive to acceptable. It's not always easy for smaller boutiques to do ambitious collaborations that are also for a good cause but the team from RISE in Long Island, New York is leading by example.
Entitled "New York is for Lovers", the boutique's latest collaboration with PUMA is being released on Worlds AIDS Day. The collection includes an almost fully red "Blaze of Glory" sneaker (red is the official color of amFAR and World AIDS Day). The sneaker has a red leather upper with suede overlays and mesh collar. The apparel features four key pieces - the Marlo stretch woven terry pants, a tee, the Bodie oversized velour hoodie and the RISE for Golden Bear varsity jacket.
The other key piece is the RISE for HEX "New York is for Lovers" sneaker duffle bag - that's also carry-on safe (yay!). There's an area for clothing, faux fur tech devices area for laptops, tablets and phones, and two footwear compartments. The bag and the hoodie are by far my favorite pieces from the collection as they're versatile with an unique touch.
But it's not merely the colorway that may remind sneakerheads and streetwear fans to remember World AIDS Day - it's the storytelling behind the pieces. I'll let Chase, one of the co-founders of RISE, explain the story behind the heartfelt collaboration and how both the store and PUMA are being agents for change.
People we love are dying.
Since HIV/AIDS appeared in the 1980s thousands of New Yorkers and tens of millions around the world have been devastated by these infections. They are spread by sharing needles, unprotected sex, and childbirth, but the biggest contributor to infection is ignorance.
Only through candid conversations about the reality of these diseases can we hope to stop their spread. Only by constantly re-engaging these difficult discussions can we stop this from dismantling more lives. In 2015 it’s possible to live with these infections and build a life with little or no interruption thanks to the tireless work of organizations like amfAR whose research has done so much to change the way we treat these diseases.
Science has changed a lot since 1994, when my Father was taken by this illness. I was only 10 years old. And, I lost him. My family lost him, and it was entirely avoidable. This path doesn't have to be walked by anyone else... not anymore. "New York Is For Lovers" is our collective effort to put these illnesses behind us, and to inspire those who are living with it every day.
PUMA has proven the ideal partner for this project of awareness. Where many other brands were confused or turned off by the aggressive and honest nature of what we wanted to say, PUMA rightfully saw the unique potential for an important conversation centered around the idea that we can help.
Together, we are making a $15,000 donation to amfAR that is not tied to sales, proceeds, or percentages. For us it's not a way to flash PR on our shoes or our brand. Instead we’re using the social force of footwear collaborations as a tool to lift others up away from the fate that millions have already found, and change the path of those already there.
"I love New York" is more than just a slogan for shopping bags, it’s a way of life. To love New York is to love New Yorkers, all New Yorkers. Every banker, busker, and bus boy. By educating each other and looking at these issues honestly and seriously we are fighting to erase stigma, empower our friends, and remember the ones we’ve lost. To really know someone is to love them. We invite you to know those engaged with us in this fight.
– Chase Ceparano
Co-Founder – RISE
Check out the full collection below. The sneakers are available in men's sizes 5-12 and 13 for $145. It launches tonight, December 1st - World's AIDS Day, at the Rise45 pop-up at 345 Broome Street in Lower East Side neighbourhood of New York. The remainder of the stock will be available online tomorrow, December 2nd, at 12:01AM at Rise45.com. Here's to more brands and stores giving back and helping to raise awareness of issues and that effect us all. If it's one thing we need more of in the world - it's love.
All images courtesy of RISE.
shegotshoes: Balenciaga Arenas Hightops in Green Felt + Grey Leather
It's without question that the Balenciaga Arena has been one of the most popular silhouettes in sneakers in the last few years. The hype was at its peak when Kanye West and Pusha T started wearing the sneakers in 2011, and hasn't died down much since 'Ye sported them. Since the original model debuted we've seen it in both low and high top silhouettes in suede, calfskin and lambskin. Over the last few seasons, Balenciaga began experimenting more with texture on the popular kicks, like using embossing techniques to mimic stingray hide.
This season, Balenciaga moves onto felt with the first pair being a darker shade of tennis ball green with grey leather accents like the stripe down the heel along with a grey sole and laces. It reminds me of a grown up version of the incredibly popular and hard to find Alife x Reebok Court Victory Pump "Ball Out" in neon green. Both shoes use a similar shade of green (albeit one more neon than another) with neutral base colors (grey vs. white), one color midsoles, while the Reebok's use an icy outsole and the Balenciaga sticks to the same grey as the midsole.
What do you think of the newest textile to join the Arenas family? 'Ye has not been sported in them yet but he has worn a similar pair in yellow leather, back in 2012.
The Balenciaga Arena hightops in felt and leather in green and grey retail for $585 USD. They're currently sold out everywhere but let us know if you'll be copping a pair or if you'd like our help securing your pair, submit a form here. Check out more images of the sneaker below in the gallery.
