Mjölk Spring/Summer 2011

An exercise in color theory and the art of design, the Mjölk Spring/Summer 2011 collection draws from the mechanics and history of visual art, focusing on relationships between colors and shapes, and the affect these manipulations have on the viewer. Bold primary colors give way to subtle secondary and tertiary shades of green, burgundy, soft brown and warm grey, allowing magnanimously disjointed looks to come together in chromatic harmony when the collection is viewed as a whole.

In Mjölk’s ongoing commitment to craftsmanship, the collection features hand-finished leather detailing, antique leather buttons, hand-knitted lamb’s wool, Liberty prints, tailored garments in Japanese cotton, and rain macs developed with a family-run company in Boston who has specialized in coats for area fishermen for generations. The spring line also features hand-cobbled Italian shoes, and a full series of leather goods. One of New York City’s only remaining belt-makers hand-crafted this season’s belts using leather also sourced in Manhattan and buckles forged in Rhode Island. Location, palette, and craft converge in one of Mjölk’s most distinctive collections.

More images after the jump

www.mjolkhomme.com

G-Star Brogue

This chunky Country Brogue by G-Star for fall/winter 2010 really caught our eye. We love how this authentic piece is given a street level edge, making it easier to match to the average wardrobe. G-Star RAW Footwear was introduced in 2007, and this season will see the brand’s largest collection of leather boots and shoes with many styles made in Italy using premium quality leather. Available through G-Star retailers.

www.g-star.com

Red Wing Shoes Amsterdam

www.redwingamsterdam.com

More images of the new store after the jump

This July, the American work wear shoes brand Red Wing Shoes is opening its first Dutch store in Amsterdam, in one of its famous “Nine streets”. Following in Berlin’s footprints this store will exclusively sell leather shoes and accessories.

Red Wing Shoes has been an authority in work wear shoes since 1905. Their leather boots are universally known for their indestructible quality. The brand uses its own leather, and both this raw material and the shoes themselves are still manufactured in the town of Red Wing, on the shores of the Mississippi river. Red Wing made a cross-over to lifestyle a few decades ago and has since become a staple in both the European and Japanese street scenes.

The collection of the store will consist of a wide assortment of Red Wing shoes, complemented by shoe maintenance items, belts, gloves and other accessories. The brands that represent this part of the collection include American Optical, Duluth Pack, Heritage Leather Company, Royal Republiq, Tanner Goods and The Hill-Side.

The store is a joint initiative between Red Wing Shoes and Tenue de Nîmes in Amsterdam.

www.redwingshoes.com

Classic made in U.S.A. footwear and luggage is exceptional as traditional artifacts of the rugged and refined American past. Since 1985, designer Yuki Matsuda has paid homage to the American crafts and traditions by treasure hunting for outstanding examples of footwear and luggage in remote locales spread out across the rolling Appalachians to the high Sierras.

During Yuki’s quests for American rarities, he befriended several footwear, luggage, leather, and blanket artisans whose personalities and skills are more beautiful and pure than their output. Yuketen exists from the lessons and heritage gleaned from these men and women. For the upcoming spring, I especially like these sports chukka shoes now available from Colette.

British brand mors is to blame with my latest sneaker fixation. The new London-based brand designed by Jonathan Morss is making some striking footwear, but the low-cut ‘net 001‘ are my absolute favorites. Handcrafted in Portugal in a traditional, family owned, union factory these white beauties are made in premium quality soft calfskin leather, with features like the rich tan calfskin lining. They are only available in limited numbers at selected stores and at the brand’s online store.

More images after the jump

Edwin‘s S/S 10 ‘ready to wear’ collection derives its solid aesthetic from the subject of ‘maritime’. With nuances of maritime history and culture, the resulting collection exemplifies the credibility and respect for a great time in history. Worn out vintage effects find inspiration in wave battered cliff faces and sea aged fishing boats and is applied to tees, shirting, lightweight jackets and outerwear. As for denim, Edwin’s core element, S/S 10 sees new lines, fits, classic styles reintroduced and brand new washes segmented into time periods that denote the natural wear process.

The seafaring, work-wear esque aesthetic compliments the denim to a tee, and is part of a concise and finely tuned collection, not too grandiose or diverse to alarm loyal customers yet strong enough to intrigue and excite the new breed.

The sharp eyed among you may notice a familiar shoe in the images. The fruit of Edwin and Folk’s collaboration for the next spring/summer is yet another part of Edwin’s effort to establish itself as a fully-fledged brand by broadening its spectrum and introducing its customer with a total-look, head-to-toe collection.

More images after the jump

I just love the classic oxford style shoes from Rachel Comey. With their supple Bordeaux leather body and orange twist on the rubber sole – I get a hell of a kick just looking at them…

Get them at Steven Alan