Hasta La Ideas

Vans launches their first “partner” store in Montreal with a 3D-printed shoe

In collaboration with Montreal’s urban boutique Off The Hook, the first Vans partner store in Canada will open tomorrow at one of the busiest corners in the city. Not only will it offer the best selection of Vans in Canada with more than 1,500 shoes in 160 styles from the Vault, California, Classics, OTW, Girls and Surf collections, but it will also have the exclusive option to make custom shoes (previously only available to U.S. online customers) in-store that will be ready to pick up and wear in just a few weeks. See a few images of the store design in the gallery below.

To celebrate the launch, guests got word of the opening party via laser-etched invitation and a classic Vans Authentic printed in 3D by Consult Design, signaling the long line of thought put into the new boutique.

A two-story QR poster and appearances from Steve Van Doren (son of Vans founder Paul Van Doren) and the lord of Dogtown himself, Tony Alva, were just a few of the treats in-store for lucky guests.

The Vans by OTH Shop opens to the general public 5 May 2011, and If you can’t physically visit, CH has three prize packs (each consisting of one pair of Vans and an exclusive Vans and OTH t-shirt) that we’re offering to the first three people to email Off The Hook at info [at] offthehook [dot] com with the names of the two major streets where the new Montreal Vans store is located.

Win a head-to-toe Leifsdottir look styled by yours truly

Scandinavian label
Leifsdottir channels today’s “modern woman” with a mix of avant-garde cuts, gorgeously art-inspired patterns, a bold use of color and an approach to femininity that’s equal parts confident and seductive. So, when asked to participate in a video project documenting a day in the life of their shoes, I was happy to pick up the camera.

Apparently my fellow cinematographers (among them Susanna Lau of
Style Bubble and Tales of Endearment), had a similar idea, and (while my pedicure scenes must be on the cutting-room floor) the resulting video is a montage of feet making their way through their day, shot from the point of view of the wearer. Shoes fall in love, make a dinner table appearance and, in my case, play with some of NYC’s more charming sidewalks.

In addition to the video, Leifsdottir also asked me to style an outfit to go with the shoes. I opted to keep it simple with the sassy Tuxedo Jumpsuit, which nicely offsets the girly bows of the Ulrika sandals with its playful take on a masculine classic. You can win the shoes (though the style may vary) and one-piece by submitting your email in the below form. (See contest rules here.)