The Resurrection of the Kick Hi's

The Stone Roses - (Image credit)

Lately I've noticed a trend resurgence for Kickers. For me, this brand rekindles memories of many pairs of well loved and well worn school shoes. Out of all the Kickers I had, there was one pair of chunky black buckled heels that I was particularly fond of. However, the Kickers shoe of choice now is the legendary 'Kick Hi' boot.

Kickers 'Kick Hi' boots in Red | Kickers 'Kick Hi' boots in Tan

Kickers is a french brand founded in 1970 and the first 'Kick Hi' boot surfaced in 1975. It has become famous for its musical connections. Being worn by the likes of Roger Daltrey of The Who fame (below). It later became popular amongst the acid house scene before becoming synonymous with the 'Madchester' and Brit Pop scene in the 1990s. Kick Hi's have always made me think of The Stone Roses because of their Fools Gold video. Hence my poor attempt at a Stone Roses reference in the title of this blog post. 

Kickers advert featuring The Who's Roger Daltrey - (Image Credit)

Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker - (image credit)

Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker is also a notable Kick Hi fan. I saw him at Sheffield train station the other day and I didn't say anything too him - I got too scared! I am kicking myself now a bit as Jarvis Cocker is one of my heroes. However, I'm sure I would have made a bit of a tit of myself by having a verbal vomit about how much I love 'Different Class' so perhaps its for the best that I did not approach him!

Lazy Oaf x Kickers collaboration - (Lazy oaf website)

Kickers also did a collaboration with a long time favourite of mine... Lazy Oaf! I have been a fan of independent clothing brand Lazy Oaf since their days based at Superette just off Brick Lane when they shared shop space with one of my favourite jewellery brands 'Lady Luck Rules OK!'. Sadly the latter is no more but Lazy Oaf have gone from strength to strength over recent years. Kickers is just one of the big name brands they have collaborated with in recent years. The collaboration also included a fab pair of Kick Hi brogues but I believe the whole collection has now sadly sold out.

Kickers 'Kick Hi' in Black Pink - £75 -  Office

I saw a girl wearing a navy pair with black jeans in manchester last week and that what got me thinking about Kickers. As great as the navy pair were, I spotted these black Kick Hi's in Office recently with the pink stitch detail and laces so if I was going to invest in a pair (and lets face it, I probably will) then I reckon these will be the ones. I am a complete Dr Martens devotee but I think Kick Hi's are a bit easier to wear for those who find DM's a bit fierce!

CJG for Topshop

Chloe Green, daughter of Arcadia billionaire Phillip Green, has just released her first shoe collection for Topshop. When I first heard this was going to happen I suspected it was a case of "Daddy I WANT to design a shoe collection!" However, I have been pleasantly surprised as it is a pretty decent collection.

image credit

LADY MAMA Crystal Booties - £175

CJG Stud Back Peeptoe Court  Shoes - £115

MISHA Slingback Mega Wedges - £130

Not revolutionary in any way but there are certainly a few pairs of shoes that catch my eyes in this collection such as the black CJG court pumps with the studded detailing on the back. I think its very promising for her future efforts but the collection would benefit from a reduction in price. Even for Topshop, they are just too expensive ranging from £115 - £175.

CJG Stud Back Court Shoes - SOLD OUT

I'm unsure how to feel about the 'signature' mint green sole. Clearly inspired by Christian Louboutin, which Green makes no secret of. However, to me it isn't just the cherry red colour that belongs to Louboutin, it's the idea full stop that every shoe should have the same sole colour. Its something he obviously feels strongly about, reflected in a recent interview with Melanie Rickey in Ponystep:

"You know I respect people. Sometimes you are designing things and you look closely and you think it looks too much like something of a certain designer. If I see that in my work then I immediately erase it, so it’s not even talking about logos or signatures of different brands. I would never approach that type of thing, never. Also, your work is about creating. You have to have your brain functioning rather than just copying, you know? You can’t be in both fields, you have to decide."


It'll be interesting to see if he voices an opinion on the CJG line.

image credit

Top 5 Blogger Items

I've been inspired by the post over at one of my favourite blogs, Fashion Editor at Large, concerning the 'blogger' trend. I've been reading fashion blogs since I was about 14 or 15 and I've always noticed that the world of blogging is quite insular in this sense - trends spread like wildfire within the blogosphere and only ever occasionally leak out. For example, if I ever see Litas in real life, I'm genuinely quite surprised yet it seems virtually everyone has a pair in the blogging world.

Bethan Holt cited what she saw as the top 10 most blogged about items. Here are my five items:

1) Jeffrey Campbell Litas

If I was to pick just one item to reflect blogger trends it would be the coveted Jeffrey Campbell Litas. They've been around for a couple of years now but they're still as popular as ever. I spotted them in the window of Urban Outfitters on Oxford Street as few months ago and I virtually ran in to try them on and true to word, they are ridiculously comfortable.

2) Brothel Creepers

Brothel Creepers have long been the preserve of 1950s Teddy Boys and the alternative Ska/Rockabilly movement. However, now affectionately dubbed 'creepers' they have become a firm blogger favourite, particularly those made by Underground. This is a blogger trend I have seen most frequently out on the streets as well and one I've wholeheartedly embraced with my studded creepers from Ark. I'm going to do a very uncool 'I was there before they were cool' moment now and point to my Office 'Pelvis Creepers' that I bought in 2008. They're stiletto heeled creepers and as you can see, I've worn them to death and they're a bit beaten up and old now as a result. However, admittedly I only bought them then as I'd seen them on various blogs so consider them a vintage blogger trend!

3) Floral Trousers

arabellag.com

glitzngrime.com

Floral pants have spread across the blogging world after Mary Katrantzou's crazy floral S/S12 collection. These H&M ones in particular are a popular choice. I've picked them up and put them back many times as I felt they cut off at an odd point but looking at Arabella and Sheree wear them so wonderfully, I'm wishing I had just bought them!

4) UNIF Hellbounds

christeric.com

thestyleplaylist.blogspot.com

This is a bandwagon I wish I was on so badly. As soon as I laid eyes on them on UNIF's blog, I knew I had to have them. They're everything I look for in a shoe: clunky and scary high. They've since released them in a variety of colours since and in some respects they are the new 'lita', not for the faint hearted though.

5) Disco Pants

I feel a bit controversial for saying this on a blog but... I don't like American Apparel's Disco Pants. I'm not sure what it is about them, but they are very 1980s in a bad way to me. Also, they just scare me a bit because they're SO tight. I know many people say they nip you in in a good way but I'm just not feeling them (or the price). However, I've seen some bloggers work them amazingly well so each to their own! If I was going to attempt this trend I'd probably opt for the riding pants.

(Image 1: credit / Image 2: credit / Image 3: credit / Image 4: mine / Image 5: mine / Image 6: credit / Image 7: credit / Image 8: credit / Image 9: credit / Image 10: credit / Image 11: credit)

Jeffrey Campbell x Black Milk

I, like every other blogger, have been lusting over the much coveted Jeffrey Campbell Lita since early last year. At around £120 I've never been able to justify (or afford) buying a pair. My mum was very baffled late last year when I spotted a pair in the window of Urban Outfitters and virtually sprinted in to try a pair on - such a bad idea as now I know how wonderful they are on and off, sigh. After wholeheartedly jumping on the bandwagon and spending a few months flooding my tumblr with pictures of them I finally accepted that they wouldn't be mine and put them to the back of my mind. However, the recent collaboration with Black Milk has emerged online and it's only renewed my pining for a pair of Litas, particularly the Litas with the comic strip print.

Lita Fab - Sick of Men

The collaboration extends beyonds the Lita into other shoes such as the Damsel and Night Lita. The Bone print has been inspired by the wonderful Alexander McQueen. I can definitely see the late designer's style echoed in this dark print and the Damsel's are putting up strong contention against the comic strip Litas as my favourite in this collaboration. However, I'm unsure of the galaxy print ones but they're a Tumblr tween's wet dream at any rate.

Damsel - Bone Machine

Night Lita - Rainbow Galaxy

They're available to order on Solestruck at the moment and are priced between £118 - £155. Unfortunately I won't be doing so but for those lucky enough to be able to, here is the link.