Hasta La Ideas

A playful marriage of Finnish patterns and classic American sneakers

Unveiling a new model, reissue and pitch-perfect collaboration, Converse’s triple-threat announcement today builds on the brand’s commitment to making everyday sportswear with playfully wearable style. For their spring collection, Converse partnered with
Marimekko, sourcing patterns—the colorful Tarha (1963) and the looping scaly Pikkusuomu (1965) by Annika Rimala and the tiny triangles of the Kirppu (1980) by Maija and Kristina Isola—from the Finnish textile house’s archives.

The work of some of Marimekko’s most iconic designers, the graphics also speak to Marimekko’s modern art influence—as explained in the
mini-documentary Converse made about the project.

The partnership brings the bold prints to both classic hi and low Chucks (around $80) as well as to two more surprising profiles—Helen ($75), a slightly more feminine Purcell named for Jack Purcell’s wife and reproduced stich-for-stitich, along with the PJ ($75-85), a brand-new look that’s slim and thin-soled, like a classic ’50s sneaker.

Packaged with equally cute shoe bags in matching prints, look out for the collection this spring on
Converse.com and at premium retailers.

Dutch company OAT have designed a range of biodegradable shoes with seeds embedded in the tongues.

Top photograph is by Corriette Schoenaerts.

Called The Virgin Collection, the shoes can be discarded by burying them in the ground, where they completely decompose and a bouquet of wild flowers grows to mark the place.

The collection of trainers for men and women was launched at Amsterdam International Fashion Week last month.

Above photographs are by Peter Stigter. Product photos are by Marielle van Leewen.

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Here’s some more information from OAT:

Sneaker grows plant: OAT Shoes win at Fashion Awards

Dutch innovation at its best: Amsterdam based OAT wins at the Amsterdam International Fashion Week 2011 (AIFW 2011) with a collection of fully biodegradable sneakers. Sneakers that grow flowers when you plant them in the ground.

OAT, a young innovative company founded two years ago by designer Christiaan Maats, presented the fresh Virgin Collection at the Green Fashion Competition of the AIFW 2011. The show featured the sneaker planted in a white wheelbarrow pushed forward by a scantily clad Adam and Eve. ‘SAved from the garden of Eden’ was the theme of the show, building on the idea of a sneaker collection made of ‘all the good stuff mother earth has to offer’.

‘To us it’s logical’, OAT explains. ‘It makes fashion seen to make products that are part of the planet we party on. We all like the nice bits in fashion, so why not make those bits fully biodegradable? You can call it a vintage-killer, but you leave something much better behind: A tree, flowers or even a cotton plant that provides you with your new shirt.’

OAT spent two years in search of the best materials and kept a strong focus on clean design. OAT: ‘The challenge was to make a sneaker that’s got a fresh style, with materials that break down when you bury them. There were no real alternatives on the market, so we had to develop and source our own materials and processes.’

The Virgin Collection carries shoes for men, women and a unisex pair for those who don’t mind sharing. All models embrace natural shades, fine classic lines and popping spring colours. The soft canvas makes the sneakers breathable and the flexible sole ensures a comfortable fit. They’ll be available in several European stores by spring 2011.

See also:

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Woodwalk by Paul Coudamy	Lolice shoes by Belma Arnautović	Bread Shoes by R&E Praspaliauskas

Queste slip-on di YMC sono una hit. Tomaia di ispirazione Navajo. Le trovate da oki-ni.
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