This isn't the first time a simple canvas shoe has made waves in the fashion community. Rubber Duck, this summer's version of the Easys, Chuck Taylors, or Keds of yesteryear, is being donned by everyone from high-design wearing uptown gals (admittedly, to the grocery store and whatnot) to downtown fashionista's whose wardrobes host a variety of price points. The funny thing, the unsurprising thing, is the discrepancy in price point. Where OAK and Zappos sell their Rubber Duck slip-ons for close to sixty dollars, Shoes.com (thank you for that brilliant name) is retailing them at around half that price. Furthermore, we've seen vendors selling them for twenty on the weekends in Nolita. So, let's just take it in stride. Let's take it as another obvious example of being loyal to a store, not because of their prices, but because of their taste. Let's also take it as an example of the summertime shoe that costs less than a dollar to make, but still lures us in somehow (oh, i'll add these to my shopping cart), time and time again.

The fashion blogosphere is rife with news about designer sneaker collabos. Truth be told, we've grown a bit weary of the obsession with sneaker culture, but can't help ignore the fact that more and more artists and designers seem to be signing on to create limited edition athletic footwear. The term "running shoe" is perhaps somewhat of a misnomer, as you're unlikely to see these splashy designs on anyone who actually runs. The kids who wear them probably won't be engaging in any activities that'll require the innovative technology touted by the brand as a selling point. Is there money to be made from such ventures? We're hard-pressed to think of anyone who really sports Piet Mondrian-inspired Dunks. So what, exactly, is the point? Perhaps these high-end creations will be pictured in yet another tome on sneaker culture. Very few of them, however, will attain the cult status of a Y-3 or Alexander McQueen among the fashion cognoscenti.

High Snobiety reports on the most recent pairings, including the Hiroshi Fujiwara-designed Nike SB P-Rod 2,
Japanese store Tokishirazu's Starstream, a running shoe in fluo hues created for Mizuno, and Tsimori Chisato and New Balance celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 576 shoe with a pack of two colorful pairs depicting underwater themes. We like these stores and designers, so we'll assume that there's got to be a sound rhyme and reason behind these projects.

You never know whether something homespun and quirky will catch on with the cool kids. The new "small business turned into a small business", Bevans Shoes, has potential though. Designer (and part-time comedian) Bevan Mahaney started painting on canvas sneakers in Martha's Vineyard before finding representation in New York and making it a real-live business. It's funny that we see these canvas slip ons painted with sharks and lobsters and outerspace depictions, as fitting in seamlessly with both the Martha's Vineyard crowd and the young New York City scene. It's a little bit clam chowda' and woopie pies, a little bit Miranda July and track bikes. The shoes, as they are hand painted, retail for around $100. We're a bit skeptical of this price point, however, we like that for a little bit more, Mahaney will custom paint your shoes. We're thinking if she's able to paint them in the likeness of those Chloe sandals we've had our eye on, we're sold. Either way, this is a prime example of a brand that will thrive on retail representation. If the shoes show up in the right stores, we predict, people won't be able to tell the difference between these, a Corpus sweater, a pair of Acne jeans, or a Commes de Garcon wallet. It's all going to the same place afterall. Namely, Bushwick.

Borne in 1936, the only thing Spring Court changes every season are its colors. The line, originally worn by tennis players, began in France. The brand, today, pits itself between the birthdate of Converse sneakers (1917) and Le Coq Sportif (194. On this timeline of classic sneakers those that come thereafter are the Adidas Stan Smith (1964), Puma Suede (196, Keds (1971), Vans Slip Ons (1973), and the Nike Walfflehacer (1974). It's a very clever thing Spring Court is doing here. In the modern world, sneakers are a major pocket of young fashion and the classics are often resurged in favor of the expensive or flashier styles. Tell us all about how Spring Court is synonymous with tennis in the 1930's, that John Lennon used to live in his pair, and that they are relatively affordable, and you've got all of Lower Manhattan wearing them in no time. Which means, eventually, the rest of the country will too.


In terms of the design, this simple sneaker has a feature that keeps it pitch-worthy over say, Keds or Converse. Namely, there are four holes on each side of the sole to allow for ventilation. This was originally developed as a feature for tennis players, and now makes it possible for young fashionistas to confidently wear sneakers without socks. Tennis sneakers that don't look like aerobics shoes and wearing sneakers with no socks make for a win-win situation in our book. Spring Court sneakers are also all hand sewn with Egyptian cotton, and today, are sold in bright colors and pastel suedes. The most popular Spring Court shoe we're seen thus far, however, are the black canvas high tops that downtown boys slip over their skinny jeans. Who knew four holes and a little bit of canvas and rubber could stick around for over seventy years.


Check out our gallery of the Spring 08 colors and for more info, check out Spring Court USA.

So you've got your Easy's, your Chucks, your Toms, and now you've got your People's Shoe. It's just a little canvas and leather, an easy rationalization to have goof-around shoes for less than 50 bucks. So what's the deal with these one's? They're a common shoe for migrant workers in Shanghai and someone was smart enough to import them to hip American kids who'll spend $40 on their basic kicks. The company donates a percentage of their yearly sales to charity (this year to The Starfish Project) and their packaging is green and simple.