Is This Classic Sneaker Poised for a Comeback? Timothée Chalamet Says So
Timothée Chalamet was seen courtside at a Knicks playoff game wearing classic Adidas Stan Smiths, sparking talk of a sneaker resurgence. The Stan Smith, originally a 1970s tennis shoe, sold 22 million pairs by 1989 and was pulled from stores in 2011 before a 2013 40th‑anniversary relaunch. Recent 2025 drops—including beaded, SpongeBob and slim‑sole versions—show Adidas is actively reinventing the model. Chalamet’s high‑profile appearance could signal the brand’s next push to revive its best‑selling silhouette.
Sneaker and Heel Emojis Are Fueling the Rise of ‘Vibe Shopping’
Fast Simon reports that emoji usage in e‑commerce search surged 42% in 2025, with the sneaker emoji ranking first and the high‑heel emoji second. The trend, dubbed “vibe shopping,” reflects shoppers using visual shorthand instead of traditional product terms. Retailers...
Adidas’ Hit Animal Print Sambas Get Funkier in Green Leopard Print
Adidas has launched a new "Green Leopard" version of its iconic Samba sneaker, featuring synthetic pony‑hair upper with vivid semi‑screaming green leopard spots and a translucent gum cupsole. Priced at $120, the limited‑edition drop follows a series of successful Samba...
Outdoor M&A Sees Heat in Sporting Goods Category
M&A activity in the outdoor recreation sector is heating up, especially within sporting goods. Notable transactions include Varsity Brands buying Sports Endeavors and Lax.com, Paramount Apparel acquiring Winston Collection, and Coats Group purchasing OrthoLite for $770 million. Deal values range from...
Adidas’ On-Trend Tokyo Sneaker Is Going All-In on Animal Prints With New Releases
Adidas is expanding its animal‑print sneaker line with two new Tokyo colorways—an orange‑tiger stripe and a green‑leopard finish—available at select retailers and online. The designs feature pony‑hair uppers, metallic accents, and the brand’s signature three‑stripes branding, continuing a trend sparked...
Nike’s New Air Max Plus Collaboration Is a Celebration of African Culture
Nike has partnered with Lagos‑based festival label Homecoming for its first African‑inspired Air Max Plus drop, designed by Grace Ladoja, the first African woman to create a Nike shoe. The collaboration showcases two colorways—Pan African and African Sunrise—featuring custom sponge‑inspired...
Michael Jordan’s First Retirement Air Jordans Are Getting a New Special-Edition Colorway
Nike’s Jordan Brand is re‑issuing the 2012 Air Jordan 9 “Kilroy Pack” as a single low‑top silhouette called “What the Kilroy.” The shoe fuses six historic colorways into an asymmetrical design, featuring distinct tongue labels, gold Jumpman heel badges and mixed‑up...
Nike SB’s Refined Air Force 1 Takes the Look of Timberland’s Iconic Wheat Boot
Nike SB has unveiled the Air Force 1 Low “Flax,” a sneaker that mirrors Timberland’s iconic Wheat boot in a suede‑rich, monochrome palette. The model adds skate‑oriented upgrades such as a thinner midsole, sit‑straps, fit pods, and a revised tread pattern...
Nike Removes ‘Walkers Tolerated’ Boston Marathon Ad After Criticism for Alienation
Nike’s Boston store displayed a red window vinyl reading “Runners Welcome. Walkers Tolerated,” which quickly drew criticism for its exclusionary tone. Social media backlash prompted Nike to remove the sign within hours and issue an apology emphasizing inclusivity. The controversy...
Inside Nike’s China Problem: The Local View
Nike’s Greater China business posted a sharp decline in Q3 2026, with regional revenue down 10% and online sales plunging 21%. The shortfall contributed to flat global brand revenue, despite modest growth in North America. CEO Elliott Hill announced an...
Clarks, Skechers Among Shoe Brands Hit by QVC Bankruptcy
QVC Group filed a voluntary pre‑packaged Chapter 11 in Texas, targeting a $5.3 billion reduction that will bring total debt down from $6.6 billion to $1.3 billion. The filing lists shoe vendors Clarks, Skechers and Waco among its top 30 unsecured creditors, with combined...
Deer Stags Joins Forces With Jack Schwartz Shoes as It Nears 100th Anniversary
Deer Stags, the nearly century‑old men’s footwear brand, is joining the Jack Schwartz Shoes portfolio as it approaches its 100th anniversary. The partnership merges two family‑owned, New York‑based companies under the leadership of Jack Schwartz Shoes CEO David Schwartz. Leveraging Jack Schwartz Shoes’ 90 years of manufacturing...
Nike’s Classic Black Air Force 1 Is Getting a New Rose Colorway for Spring
Nike has introduced a new "Black Rose" colorway for its classic black Air Force 1, targeting the spring season. The limited‑edition sneaker features rose‑stem graphics on the midsole branding, two‑tone black‑and‑red laces, and is priced at $115. It is released exclusively...
Stella International Expects New Shoe Factories to Start Production in Back Half of 2026
Stella International Holdings announced that three new shoe factories in Indonesia, Bangladesh and Vietnam will begin production in the back half of 2026, adding roughly 20 million pairs of capacity. The Hong Kong‑based group reported first‑quarter revenue of $327.4 million, a 2.2% increase...
This Mystery-Shrouded Sandal Collab May Be This Year’s Most Fun 4/20 Release
Bedrock Sandals and High Wizard are launching a limited-edition Mountain Clog capsule on April 20, featuring black and blue suede versions with wizard graphics and a yin‑yang badge. The collaboration adds a mysterious, mailer‑only product that can only be accessed...
Nike’s Historic Moon Shoe Is Getting a Wider Release With New Colors This Spring
Nike is expanding the historic Moon Shoe from a niche Jacquemus collaboration to a broader spring release. The sneaker will debut three colorways—Soft Pearl, Soft Yellow and Midnight Navy—on May 7 at $105 on Nike.com. Originally a 1971 prototype that introduced...
LaMelo Ball’s Puma MB.05 Lo Does More Than Cut Down the Height of His Signature Shoe
Puma is releasing a low‑top version of LaMelo Ball’s MB.05 sneaker, dubbed the MB.05 Lo “Flourish.” The shoe keeps the original sole unit but features a completely re‑engineered mesh upper, wider lower laces, and a raised tongue, plus a new alien logo...
Brooks Running Gave This ’70s Sneaker an Upgrade for All-Day Comfort and It’s Available Now
Brooks Running has reissued its 1976 Vanguard sneaker for 2026, preserving the original low‑profile silhouette while embedding its proprietary DNA Loft foam for modern comfort. The shoe launches in five colorways ranging from classic black to pastel tones and retails...
Tyrese Maxey’s Debut New Balance Signature Sneaker Brings Elements From Two Lifestyle Hits
Tyrese Maxey debuted his first signature sneaker, the New Balance Maxey v1, after leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a play‑in win that secured a playoff spot. The shoe borrows its silhouette from New Balance’s popular 9060 lifestyle model, featuring a...
This Original Nike Air Max 95 Is Getting Its First Big Bubble Reissue Ever This Summer
Nike is re‑launching the iconic 1995 Air Max 95 Comet Red in a remastered “Big Bubble” version this summer. The update adds bulkier visible Air units and a less tapered toe box to echo the shoe’s original silhouette. The sneaker will debut on...
Vivienne Westwood Brings Back the Classic George Cox Brothel Creeper
Vivienne Westwood has partnered with British shoemaker George Cox to launch a limited‑edition, unisex footwear line celebrating the 75th anniversary of the iconic “brothel” creeper. The collection offers three updated silhouettes—derby, monk, and pointy‑monk—featuring thick crepe soles, snakeskin or two‑tone leather...
Backcountry Acquires Coalatree as Part of Outdoor Brand Incubator Launch
Backcountry, the online outdoor specialty retailer, announced the launch of its brand incubator, Backcountry Garage, and its first acquisition under the program, Utah‑based eco‑focused apparel label Coalatree. The incubator will provide founders with resources, expertise, and distribution through Backcountry’s platform,...
The North Face’s New 2000s-Inspired Sneaker Is Getting Lots of Love on Social Media
The North Face introduced the Clyffe Ultra, a 2000s‑inspired sneaker that blends rugged outdoor performance with casual style. Built on the brand’s Clyffe line, it features premium suede, reflective mesh, and a Vibram XS Trek EVO outsole. The Desert Stone/TNF...
Nike’s Iconic Air More Uptempo Is Returning With Original ’90s Details
Nike announced the 2026 re‑release of its iconic Air More Uptempo, preserving the original Black/Black/White colorway and full‑length visible Air cushioning. The sneaker, famously worn by Scottie Pippen in the 1996 NBA Finals and featured in pop‑culture moments, will drop on...
EXCLUSIVE: Footwear Brand Alohas Launches First Bag
Barcelona‑based footwear label Alohas is debuting its first handbag, the Hilma, in late May. The bag comes in three sizes, priced from €245 to €395 (approximately $267‑$431), and features a wavy silhouette, a transparent front pocket and metal side rings...
Is Nike at Risk of Losing Its ‘Superpower’ Status? Here’s Why One Analyst Thinks It’s a Possibility
UBS softlines analyst Jay Sole warned that Nike may be losing its historic "superpower" as the company leans heavily into lower‑priced channels and a sportswear‑driven mix. He noted that more than 50% of Nike’s revenue now comes from fashion‑oriented sportswear,...
Joe Freshgoods’ Next New Balance Sneakers Take Inspiration From ’90s and 2000s Hip-Hop Videos
Joe Freshgoods is launching a new capsule with New Balance’s 1890 sneaker, offering two colorways dubbed “Finger Waves” and “Naughty Things.” Both models draw visual cues from iconic 1990s‑2000s hip‑hop videos, featuring tie‑dye‑style mesh and distinctive orange or purple palettes....
Coachella 2026 Shoes: Teyana Taylor’s Bottega Veneta Mules, JT’s Chanel Sandals and More
Coachella 2026 turned the desert into a runway, spotlighting luxury and street‑wear footwear on the festival’s biggest stages. Teyana Taylor paired a netted dress with Bottega Veneta’s silver‑leather Atomic mules, while Justin Bieber rocked Loewe’s calf‑height boots with a lug sole. PinkPantheress debuted...
Willy Chavarria Gives the Adidas Superstar’s Signature Shell Toe Its Flowers With New Rose Detail
Adidas Originals teams with designer Willy Chavarria for the “Love Prevails” capsule, updating the iconic Superstar’s shell toe with a molded rose motif. The release features two black‑and‑white colorways priced at $160 and drops on April 18 via the Confirmed app, Adidas.com...
Nike SB’s Retooled Air Force 1 Will Get Its First Wide Release Next Week
Nike SB is launching a wide release of its retooled Air Force 1 Low in the Light Orewood Brown colorway. The sneaker swaps the traditional leather upper for full‑grain suede, adds a thinner midsole, new grip tread, and a metal lace dubrae marked “SB‑1.”...
After Decades on the Job Site, Bobcat Company Gets Into Work Boots With New Shoe License
Bobcat Company has teamed with SCL Footwear Group to launch a Bobcat‑branded line of work boots and shoes. The collection, priced between $79.99 and $109.99, is being sold through Walmart.com and promises durability, comfort, and everyday versatility. The partnership follows...
Palace Cancels NYC Release for Nike Air Max 95 After Two Arrests During Wristband Distribution
Palace cancelled its New York City drop of the Nike Air Max 95 after two 21‑year‑old men were arrested for assault during wristband distribution. The brand redirected shoppers to an online release at 11 a.m. on Friday, citing safety concerns. This follows a...
Puma and Nahmias Celebrate Motorsport-Inspired Capsule Collection in Los Angeles
Puma and Los‑Angeles label Nahmias unveiled a motorsport‑inspired capsule at a K1 Speed event in Los Angeles, featuring a refreshed Speedcat sneaker and track‑styled apparel. The launch attracted celebrity guests such as Timothée Chalamet and F1 driver Charles LeClerc, and the collection...
Michael Jordan’s First Air Jordans Are Getting a New Low-Top Update for Summer
Nike’s Jordan Brand is launching the Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG “Sail” on June 6, priced at $145. The low‑top reinterpretation carries the same Sail/University Red colorway and premium leather materials as the 2017 high‑top release. By offering the iconic silhouette...
Nike’s Bouquet of Floral Air Force 1s Continues to Grow With a Blue Bell
Nike has unveiled a new Air Force 1 Low dubbed “Blue Bell,” the latest addition to its spring‑time floral sneaker series that previously featured rose and cherry blossom motifs. The shoe integrates a blue‑bell graphic on the midsole, tongue tag, and laces...
Maison Margiela Welcomes Visitors to View Tabi Collectors’ Personal Shoes at Chengdu, China Exhibit
Maison Margiela opened the Tabi: Collectors Exhibition in Chengdu’s Third Avenue Art Museum, showcasing personal collections from nine global Tabi enthusiasts. The exhibit runs Thursday‑Sunday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., and includes a café displaying archival and recent Tabi models. It is part of the...
PinkPantheress Fronts New Ugg Campaign Ahead of Coachella Debut
Ugg has appointed British singer‑songwriter PinkPantheress as the face of its new social‑first campaign ahead of her Coachella debut. The campaign spotlights the brand's classic Tazz slipper alongside spring‑season releases such as the Quill Ballet Sneaker and GoldenGlow Embossed, styled...
Nike’s Classic Air Force 1 Is Getting New Cow Print Colorway for Spring
Nike is adding a new Field Brown/Medium Brown/Sail cow‑print Air Force 1 Low for women, slated for a summer release. The sneaker keeps the classic silhouette but swaps the black base for a tumbled white leather upper with brown pony‑hair spots...
Super Yaya Founder Rym Beydoun on Collaborating With Puma on the Speedcat
Super Yaya founder Rym Beydoun has partnered with Puma to reimagine the iconic Speedcat sneaker, blending West African cultural motifs with contemporary femininity. The first drop of canvas Speedcats in three tonal polka‑dot colorways launches on Zalando on April 16, followed...
Michael Jordan’s New Air Jordans for Mother’s Day Get a First Look
Nike’s Jordan Brand is set to release a new Air Jordan 11 Retro Low “Mother’s Day” edition on May 9, 2026, exclusively in women’s sizes. The sneaker features a fresh White/Metallic Gold/Team Gold colorway with a leather‑textured gold mudguard, white branding, and a solid pre‑yellowed outsole....
U.S. Corporate Bankruptcies Rise in March
U.S. corporate bankruptcies surged to 69 large filings in March, the highest monthly total of the first quarter, up from 54 in February. S&P Global attributes the rise to higher refinancing costs, lingering tariff uncertainty, inflation and volatile energy prices....
Stride Rite Launches New Children’s Shoe Collection With YouTube Personality Ms. Rachel
Stride Rite has partnered with YouTube educator Ms. Rachel to launch a new children’s shoe line that embeds learning cues such as right‑left insoles and color‑shape prompts. The collection, available now on StrideRite.com, Kohl’s, Amazon, Zappos and in 500 DSW stores,...
Spike Lee’s Vibrantly-Colored ‘Do the Right Thing’ Air Jordan 3s Are Coming Back for the First Time
Spike Lee’s 2007 “Do the Right Thing” Air Jordan 3, noted for its vibrant blue‑yellow palette and the first use of nubuck on the silhouette, is slated for a 2027 re‑release. The original edition, once overlooked, became a collector’s favorite fetching...
Nike’s Covering Its Classic Air Force 1 in Denim for Latest Ja Morant Collaboration
Nike has unveiled a new Ja Morant × Air Force 1 Low featuring a washed‑out blue denim upper and seamless Vac Tech‑inspired construction. The Light Armory Blue/Metallic Silver/White release is priced at $130 and will drop Friday at select retailers like DTLR, with an online launch expected soon. This...
Nomasei Steps Up U.S. Expansion With Los Angeles Pop-Up and Laura Brown Collaboration
Paris‑based shoe label Nomasei is expanding its U.S. footprint with a 700‑square‑foot pop‑up in West Hollywood from April 15‑28, showcasing 29 styles and custom workshops for its Nono loafer. The event features a new collaboration with journalist Laura Brown, debuting the Roma...
Nike Can Appeal Court Ruling on Flyknit Patent Claims Against Lululemon — But Will It?
A Manhattan federal judge declared Nike’s Flyknit utility patents obvious, overturning a March 2025 jury verdict that had awarded the company a $355,450 fine against Lululemon. The ruling nullifies the damages and gives Nike a 30‑day window to file an...
Asics Is Releasing a New Sequel to One of Its Most Technical Lifestyle Sneakers
Asics is set to launch the Gel‑Kinetic 2.0, a technical lifestyle sneaker priced at $250, on Friday. The new model repositions the Scutoid Gel pods directly underfoot, pairs them with FF Blast Plus foam, and adds a TPU Trusstic cage for...
Jordan Brand Celebrates UCLA Women’s Basketball March Madness Championship Win
Jordan Brand celebrated UCLA women’s basketball winning its first NCAA Division I championship, defeating South Carolina 79‑51 in Phoenix. The partnership, active since 2021, was highlighted with a social‑media video narrated by NBA star Russell Westbrook. Star guard Kiki Rice, the...
Tina Knowles Stars in Kurt Geiger’s Mother’s Day Campaign
British accessories label Kurt Geiger, owned by Steve Madden Ltd., has launched its spring 2026 Mother’s Day collection starring Tina Knowles. The campaign showcases five exclusive pink handbag styles, from a glittering clutch to a floral‑appliqué purse. It coincides with the rerelease of Knowles’ memoir Matriarch,...
Nike’s Futuristic Foamposite Is Coming Back in a Familiar Colorway for the First Time After 14 Years
Nike will reissue its 2013 Air Foamposite One “Phoenix Suns” colorway in spring 2027, marking the first return of this iconic Foamposite after 14 years. The shoe blends a glossy Electro Purple shell with Total Orange accents and classic black detailing, priced at $240...