Starting Five: Product Highlights [March 22]
Bottega Veneta, Demon, Diemme, Louis Vuitton & Stone Island
Starting Five is a series where we spotlight recent product highlights that have caught our attention. Here at CONCEPTKICKS® we only showcase the product that moves us, that sparks excitement or conversation within the studio. Often, this product deserves a little more attention than the fleeting-likes of social media…
Chances are, over the last week or two you’ve either been letting loose in the metaverse for Nike’s Air Max Day or losing your mind over a certain moon-themed watch collaboration. With all the commotion involved, it’s been easy to miss some of the best new footwear offerings that have come to light. To help you keep your feet firmly on the ground, we’ve selected sandals, sneakers and boots from a few of the industry’s heavy hitters. Just in case you missed them at the time, here are five product highlights that we can’t stop thinking about…
Bottega Venetta Ripple
An understated choice, Bottega Veneta’s Ripple sneaker is a testament to the brand's contemporary style. With a technical knit upper constructed of a polyamide and elastane mix, the shoes stem from a minimalist design aesthetic that brings ease and comfort to the premium sneaker market. It takes a closer look to see that the knitting stitch is altered around the collar of the silhouette to allow a wider range of movement when putting on and taking off the shoes. The subtle yet integral variations in the makeup of the fabric portray the level of consideration during the design process with an eye to an optimal end product. The model’s name, of course, comes from the intricate rubber ripple outsole that spreads around the entire shoe and ties directly into the repeated grip lines of the tread. Asymmetrical lacing, a tapered form and a closed round toe make for a clean and appropriate sneaker; the Ripple is an archetype of modern Italian luxury.
Available here
Diemme Civetta
Introduced as a lightweight take on the brand’s Everest model, Diemme’s Civetta takes cues from mountainous footwear in its premium and durable build. On a slightly more sneaker-esque pathway, the shoe features a geometric Vibram sole and wraps the entire boot in a formed rubber midsole. Chrome d-rings are reserved for only the top two eyelets, while the rest of the lacing system is a series of loops built into the black suede upper. Below this, a tonal mesh underlay shows through on the side and at the toe to create a multi-layered surface, adding depth and definition to the classic silhouette. With a street-suitable approach, the Civetta offers the aesthetic of core hiking, but parts ways with any unnecessary weight and chunkiness to provide a more slimline footwear option. A huge range of colourways are out there, but this MATCHESFASHION exclusive black tonal suede premium rendition is the perfect choice to sit seamlessly within anyone’s wardrobe.
Available here
Stone Island Shadow Project Cross Strap Slides
Best known as the kings of technical fabrication and multi-faceted outerwear, Stone Island’s Shadow Project supplies us with one of the strongest sandals of the spring; a left-field move from a line whose previous footwear offerings have centred around slip-on sneakers and utilitarian Chelsea boots. With the full footbed construction lined with ECCO leather, you can be sure that these will be some of the most ergonomic and foot-friendly slip-ons out there. ECCO have a bit of a reputation for comfort and support focussed footwear, but have channelled their efforts into the science of leather and now exhibit some of the most premium materials you can get. Adjustment is possible by way of a zigzag nylon taping and buckle system, bringing the brand's identity and aesthetic to the prominent core of a relatively off-brand silhouette. While you won’t find a badge on the pair, branding is provided by way of debossed and printed logos on the sole and footbed respectively.
Available here
Demon Poyana
If Starting Five was a contest, there’s no doubt that Demon would be this month’s dark horse. To cut a long story short - which you can read more about over on their website - Demon was founded in 1963, running for four decades before a hiatus from 2004 until a Slam Jam revival last year. Retaining its ethos as a family affair, Demon has returned with a darker, moodier undercurrent that has induced an incredibly strong but concise lineup of models. As the only low-top silhouette at present, the Poyana is a brawny yet sleek profile that would look as much at home on the streets of Paris as it would on an ascent of the Dolomites, where the brand’s name draws inspiration. The veg-tanned leather upper is reinforced by eFoam Protection binding wrapped around its toe box, and in the light grey colourway, this waterproof upper has a reflective coating that imitates the cratered surface of the moon. With a flexible stretch nylon sock lining and luxury metal lacing hardware, the Demon Poyana is an authoritative object - supported by the brand’s signature aggressive protruding heel - that is more than capable of its mountainous intentions as well as its cult fashion status.
Available here
Louis Vuitton Puffer Boots
If you’ve ever wondered what a high-end moon boot would be like, then look no further than the late Virgil Abloh’s penultimate season for Louis Vuitton. The towering form of a water-resistant monogram nylon upper is underpinned firmly by the sculpted rubber sole unit (designed by Jeroen Vermeesch); working in harmony the two contrast both the comfort and softness of winter-purposed outerwear with the solidity required in terms of tread and support. The zig-zag stitching half way up the boot acts to break up the overall form into more palatable sections, where there is the implication of an ankle boot before the collar extends upwards to encase the calf and bring further warmth to the wearer. Of course, coming from one of the hottest luxury brands on the planet requires a little decoration. The boots have adorning artwork around the rear of the outsole that features LV’s monogram emblems, laid tastefully on top of a flower arrangement. The combination of fine form and the qualities one would expect from luxury Italian construction give rise to a well-shaped yet technically apt outcome that is suited for the colder months. At the upper ends of the price range they might just hurt your pocket, but they’ll more than make up for it in high-quality aesthetics and protection.
Available here
