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Kickin’ it
High fashion jumps into the sneaker arena
BY KERRY LYNCH

The big conundrum used to be, Nike or Tretorn? Tretorn was for the preppies; Nike, for the jocks. Case closed. Of course, that was back when tube socks went thigh-high, Nair girls wore short-shorts, and sneaker pickings were slim.

But in these days of in-demand special-edition Nike Dunks and other footwear phenomena, everyone’s throwing their shoe into the ring when it comes to sneakers. Athletic shoes (and we’re using the term loosely here) are big business, and even the grande dame couture houses are sneaker pimps now, from blue-blood Burberry to master of excess Dolce & Gabbana. But let’s not kid ourselves. These aren’t the sort of kicks you’ll be stuffing into your gym bag in the a.m. Wearing a pair of $490 sneakers, you’ll break a sweat only if racing to the Saks pre-sale event.

Some of our favorite designer sneakers come from MARC by Marc Jacobs. His retro Thunder-Print sneakers ($245) are covered in dark clouds, thunderbolts, and other threatening meteorological conditions. You’re sure to be a stormin’ Norma in these canvas cuties, available at Neiman Marcus online.

Prada, on the other hand, goes the minimalist route with its streamlined silver-trimmed sneakers ($275), available at Neiman Marcus in black, blood-orange, and fuchsia. Dolce & Gabbana, also at Neiman online, puts the rubber to the road with its typically over-the-top pink-and-black trainer ($265), trimmed with pink patent leather and white mesh. And Burberry, natch, has Keds-like kicks ($120) in the requisite tan plaid to match your Burberry plaid bikini, plaid raincoat lining, plaid headband, plaid micro-mini ... you get the gist. They’re available at Neiman, too.

There’s also plenty out there for the logo-hungry among us. Dior’s sneaker is toe-to-heel with the company’s telltale moniker ($375). Pointy and lace-laden, these shoes come in pink, blue, or beige, and would look right at home on any ballerina. Gucci, never known for its restraint, smothers its kicks with interlocking G’s ($310). They’re fitted with orange- or green-suede trim and sturdy double Velcro straps (hey, at $310 you want these suckers to stay put). They’re available at Saks Fifth Avenue. Even Chanel enters the race with its metallic, surprisingly functional-looking trainers ($490), also at Saks. Covered in the trademark "C" logo, no one’s going to mistake these for mere gym shoes.

Those of us hankering for great design that can also hit the track can look to Adidas’s über-hip Y3 line, at Alan Bilzerian. Adidas jumped into the high-design arena when it enlisted trendsetter Yohji Yamamoto’s able eye for its funky-yet-functional new footwear line. We especially dig the black-net sneakers ($300), complete with hot-pink stripes and girly black baubles dangling from one side. And the leather slip-on "sneaker-flats" with a pink rubber strap ($230) might not cut it for the triathlete, but you could sure run a lap or two in style.

Where to find it:

• Alan Bilzerian, 34 Newbury Street, Boston, (617) 536-1001.

• Dior, Copley Place, 100 Huntington Avenue, Boston, (617) 927-7577; www.dior.com

• Neiman Marcus, Copley Place, 100 Huntington Avenue, Boston, (617) 536-3660; www.neimanmarcus.com

• Saks Fifth Avenue, Copley Place, 100 Huntington Avenue, Boston, (617) 262-8500; www.saksfifthavenue.com


Issue Date: July 30 - August 5, 2004
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