SNEAKERS + SUITS GROW UP
STYLE FASHION
Minimal Impact
OldSchool Glory
Slip-On Style
Here’s a sneaker that’s at home in your Lautner or Schindler split-level. With a minimalist profile and made-in-Italy craftsmanship, Common Projects offers a look that’s no embellishment, no “pumped-up kicks.” This approach is inspiring elegant choices from Rag & Bone and Strange Matter. Common Projects Original Achilles low-top sneakers, $410, mrporter.com
“Vans started in Southern California, and they’re a sign of our laid-back culture,” says Hollywood stylist Jeanne Yang. Fashion has taken to the slip-on with luxury versions from Bottega Veneta (in signature intrecciato woven leather), Saint Laurent and Givenchy. Vans slip-on, $45, vans.com
Nike, Adidas, Puma and New Balance are turning out collectible special editions (the latest “drop” this month is Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy’s final Nike Air Force 1). Shark Tale director Rob Letterman wears classic Adidas shell-toe Superstars everywhere and has 100 pairs. Adidas Superstar 80s sneaker, $100, barneys.com
White on White
After a glut of outre choices, there’s been a low-key course correction. “Tom Ford came out with sneakers this year and did it his way, in an expensive leather or velvet, but he didn’t do anything crazy,” says Andrew Weitz, WME agent turned style consultant. Likewise, Jimmy Choo, John Lobb and Berlutti emphasize a subtle interplay of textures over bling. Tom Ford “Russel” leather high-top sneaker in burgundy, $990, neimanmarcus.com
Who could have foreseen that the retro Stan Smith shoe would reign as the fashion sneaker of the moment, endorsed by style tastemakers and offered in exclusive editions? It also has spawned a new crop of bright styles from hip labels like Balenciaga and Zanotti. Saint Laurent classic high-top sneaker, $595, barneys.com
SNEAKERS + SUITS GROW UP
Not just for red carpet rebels anymore, the look goes mainstream as agents, lawyers and execs embrace the new couture kicks by labels from Lanvin to Tom Ford By Vincent Boucher
M
EN H AV E WOR N SN E A K ER S A S A FA SH ION G O -TO FOR A
few seasons, but tastes are changing — and the shoes are getting more refined and being paired with suits. “If done right, it’s a cool trend that can become a classic, especially in our artist-based creative industry,” says ICM partner Chuck James. Now the trend is making inroads in Hollywood front offices and power corridors. “I’ve seen sneakers being worn with suits by all kinds of people — artists, managers, lawyers, agents, accountants,” entertainment attorney Aaron Rosenberg says. Adds Sam Kershaw, buyer for men’s e-tailer Mr Porter, “We’re seeing men of all ages embrace them and wear them in different ways.” On runways, sneakers are omnipresent, notably at all the luxury heavy hitters — Burberry, Zegna, Vuitton, Hermes. And on Wilshire Boulevard, sneakers have pride of place in newly prominent shoe departments at Neiman’s and Saks, while Barneys New York is installing a top-floor men’s shoe aerie. “It’s a reflection of the way people live,” says Barneys menswear honcho Tom Kalenderian. “People only want to go where they’re comfortable.” There’s a sneaker — from shiny to sporty to subtly refined — for almost every situation. “I’ve started wearing black Lanvin patent cap-toe sneaks with dark suits to the occasional awards function,” says SundanceTV exec Christian Vesper. “I mildly hate real tux shoes.”
Samuel L. Jackson
The actor paired his suit with Lanvin sneakers for a movie premiere in March.
Jared Leto
He accepted an MTV Movie Award in April wearing a tropical shirt and Vans slip-ons.
Nick Young
The L.A. Lakers forward sported Saint Laurent high-tops at a Calvin Klein party in September.
PROJECTS: COURTESY OF MR PORTER. ADIDAS: COURTESY OF BARNEYS NEW YORK. FORD: COURTESY OF NEIMAN MARCUS. WHITE: COURTESY OF SAINT LAURENT. SLIP-ON: COURTESY OF VANS. LETO: JORDAN STRAUSS/INVISION/AP. YOUNG: TAYLOR HILL/GETTY IMAGES. JACKSON: JIM SMEAL/BEIMAGES.
Luxe Leather
54 | THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER | 10.10.14
35sty_sneakers_L [P]{Print}.indd 54
9/29/14 8:39 PM
Minimal Impact
OldSchool Glory
Slip-On Style
Here’s a sneaker that’s at home in your Lautner or Schindler split-level. With a minimalist profile and made-in-Italy craftsmanship, Common Projects offers a look that’s no embellishment, no “pumped-up kicks.” This approach is inspiring elegant choices from Rag & Bone and Strange Matter. Common Projects Original Achilles low-top sneakers, $410, mrporter.com
“Vans started in Southern California, and they’re a sign of our laid-back culture,” says Hollywood stylist Jeanne Yang. Fashion has taken to the slip-on with luxury versions from Bottega Veneta (in signature intrecciato woven leather), Saint Laurent and Givenchy. Vans slip-on, $45, vans.com
Nike, Adidas, Puma and New Balance are turning out collectible special editions (the latest “drop” this month is Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy’s final Nike Air Force 1). Shark Tale director Rob Letterman wears classic Adidas shell-toe Superstars everywhere and has 100 pairs. Adidas Superstar 80s sneaker, $100, barneys.com
White on White
After a glut of outre choices, there’s been a low-key course correction. “Tom Ford came out with sneakers this year and did it his way, in an expensive leather or velvet, but he didn’t do anything crazy,” says Andrew Weitz, WME agent turned style consultant. Likewise, Jimmy Choo, John Lobb and Berlutti emphasize a subtle interplay of textures over bling. Tom Ford “Russel” leather high-top sneaker in burgundy, $990, neimanmarcus.com
Who could have foreseen that the retro Stan Smith shoe would reign as the fashion sneaker of the moment, endorsed by style tastemakers and offered in exclusive editions? It also has spawned a new crop of bright styles from hip labels like Balenciaga and Zanotti. Saint Laurent classic high-top sneaker, $595, barneys.com
SNEAKERS + SUITS GROW UP
Not just for red carpet rebels anymore, the look goes mainstream as agents, lawyers and execs embrace the new couture kicks by labels from Lanvin to Tom Ford By Vincent Boucher
M
EN H AV E WOR N SN E A K ER S A S A FA SH ION G O -TO FOR A
few seasons, but tastes are changing — and the shoes are getting more refined and being paired with suits. “If done right, it’s a cool trend that can become a classic, especially in our artist-based creative industry,” says ICM partner Chuck James. Now the trend is making inroads in Hollywood front offices and power corridors. “I’ve seen sneakers being worn with suits by all kinds of people — artists, managers, lawyers, agents, accountants,” entertainment attorney Aaron Rosenberg says. Adds Sam Kershaw, buyer for men’s e-tailer Mr Porter, “We’re seeing men of all ages embrace them and wear them in different ways.” On runways, sneakers are omnipresent, notably at all the luxury heavy hitters — Burberry, Zegna, Vuitton, Hermes. And on Wilshire Boulevard, sneakers have pride of place in newly prominent shoe departments at Neiman’s and Saks, while Barneys New York is installing a top-floor men’s shoe aerie. “It’s a reflection of the way people live,” says Barneys menswear honcho Tom Kalenderian. “People only want to go where they’re comfortable.” There’s a sneaker — from shiny to sporty to subtly refined — for almost every situation. “I’ve started wearing black Lanvin patent cap-toe sneaks with dark suits to the occasional awards function,” says SundanceTV exec Christian Vesper. “I mildly hate real tux shoes.”
Samuel L. Jackson
The actor paired his suit with Lanvin sneakers for a movie premiere in March.
Jared Leto
He accepted an MTV Movie Award in April wearing a tropical shirt and Vans slip-ons.
Nick Young
The L.A. Lakers forward sported Saint Laurent high-tops at a Calvin Klein party in September.
PROJECTS: COURTESY OF MR PORTER. ADIDAS: COURTESY OF BARNEYS NEW YORK. FORD: COURTESY OF NEIMAN MARCUS. WHITE: COURTESY OF SAINT LAURENT. SLIP-ON: COURTESY OF VANS. LETO: JORDAN STRAUSS/INVISION/AP. YOUNG: TAYLOR HILL/GETTY IMAGES. JACKSON: JIM SMEAL/BEIMAGES.
Luxe Leather
54 | THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER | 10.10.14
35sty_sneakers_L [P]{Print}.indd 54
9/29/14 8:39 PM
