Sneakers just got into everything ranging from pure sportswear and soft-tailored looks to high-fashion proposals. Just look at Chanel’s preppy kicks for fall/winter ’15 to understand the magnitude of the move. Not only long-standing sports institutions like Nike and Adidas are making profit out of it –also names like Common Projects with their understated models and relatively-young brands like Filling Pieces are paving the way with high-quality materials and clean aesthetics to make the sneakers-hype a long-lasting one.

Traditional shoe manufacturers compete against original sneaker brands to get their offerings across to comfort-driven consumers –and they are on the front foot. New technologies are being implemented in order to wow consumers with extra advantages. Clarks has incorporated the cushion plus technology in many men’s and women’s shoes, a dual density underfoot cushioning that reduces strain on the ball of the foot and helps the wearer walk in a correct way for a day-long comfort. Spanish footwear brand Camper is also playing with traditional and modern elements in their creations: models like the Hardwood present a classic brogues silhouette except for a bold vivid-red thick, dented rubber outsole by Vibram. Further models like the Magnus or Fiss for men feature a sneaker-inspired rubber outsole, the Fiss upper is even made with GoreTex, a waterproof and temperature-regulating material. In the same direction of merging old with new, high-end brand Tods offers in the current season monk-strap shoes in leather with the same kind of ‘sneakerized’ soles.



Another designer that is making waves with his creations since last January, when he was proclaimed winner at Pitti Uomo’s talent competition Who is on Next? in the accessories category is Alberto Premi. Some of his footwear concepts blur the design barriers between shoes and sneakers and create futuristic footwear styles mainly in metallic shades and textured-effects.