Pumped up kicks

We have been bombarded with news on the Olympics for the past week and I for one am quite astounded with Malaysia's committed strive for the first gold. Well, I am no sports commentator (and rarely watch one), but all I can say is my country's contingent did quite a commendable job, despite no medals thus far. All hopes are on Lee Chong Wei's masterful badminton play tonight...

Pretentious sports commentator wannabe aside, and on a vaguely Olympics-related note, super sneakers with built-in wedges for the ladies have crept up everywhere this summer. First, it was Isabel Marant's version which in fact, were introduced for the SS2011 collection. Naturally a slew of other brands followed suit with Marc Jacobs, Chloe and even mid-range brands like Ash and Jeffrey Campbell producing their own knock-offs of the vertiginous kicks, following Marant wedge sneakers huge popularity. Recently Nike is jumping onto the bandwagon as well, with their floral-rich collaboration with Liberty. My favorite from the bunch - the original version by Isabel Marant. It's been quite a while since my sneaker/trainer-wearing days but these shoes might propagate the inner sportsman in me to wear athletic footwear, once again...

The original version by Isabel Marant.

Clockwise, from top to bottom: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Ash, Ash, Chloe

Nike x Liberty Dunk Sky High Liberty print wedge trainers (the top two images are from different collection...)

image credit: jeansfashionstreetstyle.com, dunkbar.de, stellalurvs.blogspot.com, eukicks.com, freshnessmag.com, liberty.co.uk, shefinds.com 

Brands at Actually KL

Whilst Actually KL currently focuses on laid-back street wear / up-and-coming international labels, it seems that it is not the ultimate plan for the store. I was told that they are trying to bring in more labels, especially Malaysian ones, but so far the promising designers that they are eyeing for now have either changed their base (Jonathan Liang moved to Paris recently) or is already bound with important projects (i.e. Tengku Syahmi with ULTRA). However there are a few options there that might just be a solution for the quest of local labels to be placed side by side with other international labels in Actually KL premise.

As for now, these are the labels that Actually KL have to offer...

INDEPENDENT LABELS

Dr Denim

I believe we are already familiar with this Swedish denim-focused brand. Created by the Graah family the label is already famous around the world with online shopping giants like ASOS stocking them. Quality selvedge denim, casual plaid  / Oxfords are the main pieces which keep customers' demand high, besides the more adventurous womenswear collection.

 

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Lazy Oaf

This UK label is a print focused label with products encompassing clothing, accessories and stationery. It seems that KL-ites have a thing for something fun and quirky, judging from the only piece of this Peekaboo sweatshirt left on the rails...

 

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