Part of the world-famous annual Sundance Film Festival’s allure are the “gifting lounges”, which offer visiting celebrities the chance to pick up swags. Gauging from what they wind up holding onto, one can tell what’s going to be hot for the coming year. At last year’s Sundance, the buzz was especially a buzzin' at the Boost Mobile Marquee Lounge, where the
PF Flyers booth was located -- a signal that the shoe brand is squarely on its way to becoming a shoo-in (again) as everyone's essential footwear.
Most
PF Flyers customers today may not remember or even know about the history of the brand, but they do value its heritage & new modern direction.
The "PF" in PF Flyers stands for "Posture Foundation". BF Goodrich (a tyre maker now under Michelin) patented this invention in 1933 & used it to produce the first "Posture Foundation Flyers" in 1937. The technology, still imitated to this day by many other major sneaker manufacturers, involved a wedge-like insert (that distributes weight to the outside of the foot & reduces strain on the legs) which the company claimed could make one "run faster & jump higher".
It was in the 50s, when the brand teamed up with the famed Boston Celtics star Bob Cousy to create a string of classic basketball designs, that PF Flyers really began to make strides. Its popularity escalated into the next decade, becoming one of the largest sneaker brands in America, before gradually losing steam in the early 70s. Thankfully, the brand is now being returned to its former glory after being bought & re-launched by sportswear giant New Balance. (Converse had purchased the brand earlier, but sold it off when the US government filed an antitrust suit claiming that if both companies combined they would have a monopoly for sneakers.)
These days, young Hollywood hipsters as well as the mature crowd are zero-ing in on PF Flyers for its perfect convergence of old & new, & of course for its excellent support & comfort. The brand’s retro style sneakers, updated with re-issued or new colour & pattern schemes, offer a breath of fresh air to kicks filled with (ahem...) a bunch of pumps, bubbles, pockets & contraptions. And for those ready to open their minds to something other than that “other” old-timey, basketball player-endorsed sneaker brand, PF Flyers are as cool as they come!
Trivia:- In recent years, the phrase "wearing his PF Flyers" has been commonly used when describing a person who’s running very fast (in a game, etc). Example: "Though women outnumbered the males almost 2 to 1, it was Will Meadows
wearing his PF Flyers who blazed a time of 5:16, one of the fastest of the season, to win the race."
The year is flying by so we thought we’d start early & make it easy for you to stock up on new finery for Hari Raya (& beyond) with time to spare. Our SALE is now on! Prices of selected merchandise are reduced while stocks last, so make sure you don’t miss out :-)
Editors who turn a new page to become designers are nothing new. Vera Wang began at Vogue, and Kate Spade at Mademoiselle. Thakoon Panichgul, formerly of Harper's Bazaar, founded Thakoon.
One of the most successful & best-known brands in the shoe biz, Steve Madden was founded in Brooklyn, NYC in 1990.
Seriously, who doesn't love Phillip Lim? On this season's runway, with live music (from the band Lissy Trullie) & a backdrop that mimics a stage for a rock concert, the designer's poetic mod-rock-inspired collection hit the perfect pitch as models in their playful 'Tao Okamoto/Beatles' hairdo paraded wearing impeccably cut vintage-style pieces in autumnal hues & textured fabrics. The groovy 60s London vibe was definitely apparent; can't you totally see Kate Moss donning snazzy outfits like the above?
We've had the Little Black Dress & the Little White Dress & even the Little Grey Dress, now it looks like you'll need a Little Red Dress too to be on trend :-)
19 Aug: Here's an exciting mid-week update -- New Arrivals for her & him are in!
Ahhh, Fall clothes are trickling in (already!), & we couldn’t be more excited to see what Vanessa Bruno (one of our secret favourite designers!) has to offer.
The little grey dress is a wonderful alternative to the LBD or LWD.
But be forewarned... one glance at this incredibly cute dress by Alice + Olivia, you'll soon feel an uncontrollable urge to wear the striped trend.
Part of the world-famous annual Sundance Film Festival’s allure are the “gifting lounges”, which offer visiting celebrities the chance to pick up swags. Gauging from what they wind up holding onto, one can tell what’s going to be hot for the coming year. At last year’s Sundance, the buzz was especially a buzzin' at the Boost Mobile Marquee Lounge, where the PF Flyers booth was located -- a signal that the shoe brand is squarely on its way to becoming a shoo-in (again) as everyone's essential footwear.
Most PF Flyers customers today may not remember or even know about the history of the brand, but they do value its heritage & new modern direction.
Trivia:- In recent years, the phrase "wearing his PF Flyers" has been commonly used when describing a person who’s running very fast (in a game, etc). Example: "Though women outnumbered the males almost 2 to 1, it was Will Meadows wearing his PF Flyers who blazed a time of 5:16, one of the fastest of the season, to win the race."
Another no-sweat style for fun in the sun, this time from California designer Trina Turk. Cute cap sleeves & fun buttons aside, this tailored onesie also comes with belt loops, so that you may add some personal flair with your favourite sash or belt if desired. Good for just kickin' around, yet chic enough to dress up with heels for a fresh evening look, too!
Created in 1977 as an offshoot of a family-owned business -- the Dini clan has produced knitwear since 1957 after taking over a factory in the little hamlet of Masnago, Varese, just north of Milan -- Paul and Shark is a maker of quality sportswear that lets its mighty shark logo do the talking.