Just in from the folks at Cole Haan a few days from launch date… The new Cole Haan Lunargrand Wingtip shoes are an interesting vitally important turn for the Cole Haan brand in 2012. The shoe line has been patiently waiting for a bit of a reboot for some time. Clearly the Lunargrand is the start of that move and much of it comes from a certain freedom being afforded to the brand from their parent company, Nike, in borrowing technology on a level not often seen on the exterior of the shoes themselves. The Lunargradn is different.

If Cole Haan had simply released this series of wingtips with the Nike Air tech on the inside, rather than the Lunar sole, we would not have the visual queues that allow for the Lunargrand to be much more than another wingtip on the market.

It is rare for a classic upper to work with a non-traditional sole design, but the Lunargrand pulls it off well. More importantly, it respects the original silhouette of the wingtip while moving the the shoe form forward in a manner that is certain to offer an alternative to the original constructions found in boutiques today. Wear test aside, the look is proper. The fusion/welt is clean (we’re sure they went to some serious rounds of samples to get it right). Even Gary Warnett is a bit intrigued by it all.

Dropping February 9 at the Cole Haan SOHO store.

Photography: Selectism.com

More looks in our gallery…

Cole Haan has been importing that Nike tech for years now and the new Air Rhone boot is no exception. The all-winter, all-wet weather boot features innovative waterproof leather which we take to mean treated against a canvas upper. It comes dow to form, function, looks, and usability. This one has them all. $248 in stores and online.

Photography: Allen Benedikt

Some new blue suede bucks from Cole Haan as worked with Theophilus London. “Theophilus London collaborates with Cole Haan on a blue suede Buck with an electric blue sole. Details including a perforated leather lining, gold embellished eyelets and cobble nails complete the shoe, while a 10″ vinyl of Theophilus London’s cover of Nat King Cole’s “Calypso Blues” comes as part of the package. Out September 13th at the Cole Haan SoHo.”

View more images of the Cole Haan, Theophilus London Blue Suede Buck Shoes over on Highsnobiety.

With the help of French textile company Les Toiles du Soleil (the fabric of the sun), Cole Haan bursts into Summer with a limited collection of of footwear and accessories.

The Les Toiles de Soliel fabrics add unexpected color to Cole Haan’s traditional silhouettes – including a boat shoe, chukka, and wallet – and highlight the attention to craftsmanship inherent to both brands. The collection is available in limited quantity exclusively at Cole Haan Soho, located at 128 Prince Street in New York City.

Head to the jump for a full look.

The Selby (no surprise) has shot the Autumn 2010 campaign for Cole Haan – in wonderful style of course. There is no doubt he places the “mood” properly with every photo. Brooklyn and Portland (seemingly almost twins these days) are featured in the campaign. Take a look…

More photos from the Cole Haan Autumn 2010 campaign after the click.

Available now through the Assouline boutique at the Plaza Hotel in New York is this excellent numerically embossed leather bag from Cole Haan for Assouline. The unisex leather bag includes adjustable hand straps and features a canvas liner with plenty of zip-ups. Works well as a nice day tote and much cheaper than their Goyard trunks which we are still waiting on.

More views of the Cole Haan Leather Tote Bag for Assouline after the jump.