STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Ritz · Dooney & Bourke

shoe question for you all..

shopgirl82 · Chanel

i think sneakers need to have a certain level of color and fun. i could see:

marc jacobs (i think i'm inspired by last year's collection with the marching band)

moschino (their cheap and chic label is super fun)

or dolce and gabbana

blink · Coach

probably everyday/wear anywhere shoes, where I would be more willing to spend the money on the look. I don't need a designer name spiffing up my functional running shoes, nor would I want to spend more.

luckylily · Gucci

I'm not specifically answering your questions, but I do have a comment.

One of the reasons I support New Balance is because they don't use celebrities in their advertisements. I'd probably be a little dissappointed to see them go with a designer line. I like that they make straightforward, good shoes w/ no fancy marketing.

Maddie · Coach

I think designer running shoes are stupid because they're all about function. So I'd go with everyday shoes. I think Phoebe Philo would be pretty sweet. Or Miuccia Prada.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

pucci sneaks would be awesome.

Seashells · Dooney & Bourke

Personally, I like new balance because they are high quality running shoes- and even in their commercials, they say they are dedicated to running.

That being said, I would like to see a famous olympian or athlete colaborate with a designer: form, function and fashion. Like Anna Kournikova w/ Marc Jacobs.

berryahou35 · Dooney & Bourke

I don't know if I should comment since I've already got all the athletic shoes I could want for someone who isn't into athletic shoes (3 pairs, which I think is too much already)

I'd want everyday shoes (since I'm not athletic) and probably pucci like someone said, as long as the shoes are multicolors and fun.

Ally S · Kate Spade

I'd buy Stella McCartny everyday shoes.

JackieO527 · Dooney & Bourke

The shoes would have to be everyday type shoes, I wouldn't want them to be chunky or really athletic looking. They would have to be light weight and I would want them to be colorful but not over the top colorful (I don't want my sneaks to look like a rainbow, one to three colors) I don't wear sneakers a lot so for me personally they would have to be something that was easy to wear with many things in my closet. My price point for the sneakers would probably be $80 - $135 (but that is probably b/c i don't wear them enough to pay anymore than that).

I think Marc Jacobs, Moschino Cheap and Chic, and Betsey Johnson might be fun!

honey · Gucci

they would have to be everyday shoes. though i wouldn't be upset if someone came up with a really fashionable (and by that i mean sleek) running shoe. but then again i like the look of classic new balances.

i'm n/s if this is a project for school or for real life, but i think it would be amazing if new balance worked with under the radar designers, and made them limited edition (that always seems to get people motivated to buy stuff). maybe bite what easyspirit did with tara subkoff, in taking someone who has an untraditional aesthetic and going from there. off the top of my head, i think it would be cool to do something with philip lim (he's the former designer for development and now has his own line) or daryl k. both have a very urban look that i think would translate well into sneaker design.

Ritz · Dooney & Bourke

thanks! to clarify, this is just for a school project... develop a promotional plan etc...

luckylily- you are def. right abt. the NB avoiding celebrity endorsements.. they literally state that they are "endorsed by no one" but I was kinda hoping to do a "fashion meets function" approach..

before i posted I was considering MJ, Betsey Johnson, and Cynthia Rowley but honey i also really like the idea of using a smaller designer.. i mention the Tara Subkoff for Easy Spirit line in my paper but honestly don't really know enough abt. designers to think of any to use! So thanks for the ideas, I will def. check them out. that is actually perfect b/c NB supports new initiatives, etc. so I think this would fit in.. oh and also I want it to be an American designer b/c NB's are domestically produced.. although Pucci would be awesome.

thanks for your help!

Cortney1982 · Chanel

I think you would also have to take into consideration the tastes of your New Balance target customer.

Maven · BCBG

I started wearing New Balance shoes a couple of years ago because of foot problems, and on the advice of my podiatrist. My feet are much better now, so I can wear cute/sexy shoes on social occasions.

I wear the 811 walking shoes. They are ugly. Why can't they at least come in different colors tlhan boring beige, lumpy black and marshmallow white? And leather instead of whatever it is they use. Very hot. In warmer weather I want to punch holes in the man-made uppers just so my feet can breathe!

Thanks for letting me have my say. I hope that this means that New Balance is interested in making a more stylish shoe for walking.

I don't have a clue which designer would do a good walking shoe that would be functional and attractive, but I would certainly buy many pairs of whatever he/she comes up with.