Manolo's Shoe Blog

JUL
2013 30

Gola Classic Plimsolls

Manolo says, the Manolo loves the simple classic plimsolls from Gola, the ancient British sporting shoe company (sort of like the Converse) founded in the 1905. For the Manolo, who have been the fan of the crazy colorful hi-tech running shoes, this simple plimsoll, the Quota in classic white, is the sort of athletic shoe that will not make you . If, however, you wish to express your excitement over the birth of George, the future King of England, then this Quota with the Union Jack would be the good choice.

MAY
2013 24

The Decadant Phase: Diciannoveventitre Ultra-Distressed Sneakers

Manolo says, Slave! Peel the Manolo the grape, bring him his Diciannoveventitre Ultra-Distressed Sneakers, and order his palanquin brought around to the front. He is feeling like the man of the people today. Overdyed, ultra-distressed high top sneakers with pre-rusted metal eyelets and dye-splattered rubber sole. Cost? The mere $1,975

JUL
2012 30

Olympic Gold Medalist Ryan Lochte Loves the Shoes!

Manolo says, 130 pairs of the shoes! Mr. Lochte’s dream is to eventually become a clothing designer. “I want to be different, and fashion gives me that outlet to do that,” he said, lounging on a couch after a practice in loose basketball shorts, a T-shirt that read “Google Me” and black Dolce & Gabbana slippers. For public events, he steps it up: Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren have dressed him, and he was signed by Ford Models. […] “Ho, I think I have about, a total of 130 pairs of shoes,” Mr. Lochte said, warming to the subject. “So…

JUN
2012 18

Jeremy Scott Adidas Shackle Face-Palm

Manolo says, no, these are not the clever fake, these are the Jeremy Scott x Adidas Roundhouse Mid “Handcuffs” sneakers, priced at $350. And yes, the symbolism of the basketball shoe with the make-believe leg shackles has not be lost upon many outside of the world of fashion designers. Adidas has sparked outrage and been accused of ‘promoting slavery’ by creating a new pair of trainers which have bright orange ‘shackles’ that fit around the wearer’s ankles. The clothing giant is under fire for its August scheduled release of the JS Roundhouse Mids, which many have compared to the devices…

OCT
2011 21

Manolo the Columnist: Tennis Elastique from Bensimon

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post Dear Manolo, I would like to find some black sneakers that I can walk and do tai chi in, yet still convey a modicum of chic. Is it possible to be chic in sneakers? Katie Manolo says, the Manolo tried the tai chi once, and indeed and found it to be pleasantly revivifying, what with the sugar, and the milk, and the cardamom. Oh, wait. Perhaps that was the chai tea. Well, whatever. The healthful cup of tea and the brisk strolling along the boulevards…

MAR
2011 15

Animal Collective Can Design Shoes Too

Apparently these guys can do it all. The cult band Animal Collective is teaming up with LA store Keep Company to create a collection of graphic sneakers. But wait, it gets more inspiring. All proceeds will go to The Socorro Island Conservation Fund to assist in its work preserving marine life along the coast of Baja, California. These guys seem to be able to do no wrong. Their music is fantastic, their side projects are like candy to my eardrums, and now they are stepping up as budding shoe designers. The collection will be released Saturday, March 26th.    …

JAN
2011 12

Fresh Horror: The Jefferson Slip-On from Native Shoes

Plus Equals Manolo says, because as everyone knows, if you mix the ounce of sewage with the bottle of fine wine, you have the most tastiest cocktail ever! P.S. The tip of the hat to Manolo’s internet friend the Nancy.

SEP
2009 18

Manolo the Columnist: Onitsuka Tiger by Asics

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post. Dear Manolo, In October I’m going on a three-week business trip to Japan. I’ve never been to Japan and so I have no idea what to wear when I’m not dressed in my business finery. What do you suggest? Linda Manolo says, sadly the Manolo has never been to Japan, Mysterious Land of the East, where peoples eat the raw fish and dress like Hello Kitty Lolita Samurai Warriors. Or perhaps like the Sailor Moon Gothic Rockabilly Shoguns. The Manolo cannot say for sure. The…

AUG
2009 14

Manolo the Columnist

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post. Dear Manolo, Knowing that you appreciate the super fantastic shoe classic of any type, I wonder if you say something about the revival of the Converse Chuck Taylor type sneaker. My 13 year old daughter has a pair of tall Chuck Taylor she loves. Phyllis Manolo says, the Manolo loves the Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers! They are one of the greatest shoes ever invented, indeed, not just the great shoe, but also, together with the white tee-shirt and the Levi’s 501 jeans, one of the…

JUL
2009 16

Whose Shoes? The Readers of the Manolo Know!

Manolo says, from today’s news photos comes this image… Of the course, the regular readers of the Manolo know the owner of these Converse All-Stars and cuffed jeans, for they identified him in the recent episode Whose Shoes Wednesday.

JUL
2009 03

The World’s Oldest Basketball Shoes!

Manolo says, from the Manolo’s friends at Boing Boing come news of the discovery of the world’s oldest kicks! Gary Pifer a vintage clothing dealer found the 116 year old sneakers while combing through picked over items, that were contained within a victorian era trunk. “As I arrived late, I was told that all the good stuff was gone”, said Mr. Pifer. He paid 50 cents for the brown high top canvas sneakers made by the Colchester Rubber Company. Later that night, Mr. Pifer was shocked to discover, during an internet search, that the brand went out of business in…

SEP
2008 12

Manolo the Columnist

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post. Dear Manolo, I’ve fallen for a guy. Me: a first year associate at a white-shoe law firm. Him: the lead singer in a emocore band. He’s also educated, smart, funny, and kind. The problem is that I’ve got to emo up my look a bit so I don’t stand out so much when I go to his shows. What would you recommend? Monica Manolo says, the Manolo imagines that if he were the first year law associate, submerged in the dreary sub-basement of his firm,…