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

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New kickers and things from the Giuliano Fujiwara collection for the coming Autumn/Winter 2012 season. Take your pick from the footwear as well as sunglasses, bags, and more from this collection. Small hits of color across the line make it appealing while retaining the classic forms. Rather than being overdone, the Fujiwara accessories and shoes do what they are intended to do: set it off.

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Artisan, handmade shoes are everywhere these days, but we cannot pinpoint much of a downside to the saturation. You only get one pair of feet, so why not sheath them in at least one pair of something durable built with serious attention to detail? Jockeying for your attention in this regard is n.d.c. (nome de code; translates to “code name”). This outfitter of men and women takes a humbler approach than some others—as the story goes, the creative mind behind the footwear, Enrique Corbi, presented a pair of n.d.c. brogues at their first trade show appearance only after he’d thrown them into a washing machine to beat them up a bit.

An allegiance to “subtle humor” shows in their newest lookbook. Alongside shots of the alluring goods—re-imagined deck shoes, patterned espadrilles, soft chukkas, weathered oxfords and things with monk straps—at the end of lithe young legs, are pictures of jolly old gents enjoying the wares. Being headquarted in Belgium—a nation home to the Underpants Museum—certainly adds to the lighthearted allure. Beyond all of that, these are definitely some fetching designs. -jt

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Veja meet French Trotters once again with a selection of men’s footwear. We previewed the collection a while back and this addition of a black hi-top is a welcome one. Veja don’t bang on too much about their eco credentials but it’s worth noting that each pair is made with the environment and the workers who produce them in mind. “The leather used has been tanned naturally using acacia extracts. The soles are made of wild rubber originating from the Amazonian rainforest. ” Take a look below for a little background into this time heavy process. Polished and waxed leather with a contrast tan stripe running up the back, these are sure to age perfectly. Find them here.

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End Clothing return with more Tricker’s action. The Burnished toe cap brogue and boot for the country gent in need of something smart. The shoe, made on a 4444 last, is built on a Dainite sole unit and features the signature End heel pull tab. The boot is created on a 4497s last which they tell us is a rarity for Trickers, with the pattern based on the Stow model and again complete with Dainite sole and heel tab. A couple of impressive footwear options from the Newcastle store.

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That’s right… unicorn leather. The new Oi Polloi Clarks Wallabees use what is known as “unicorn leather” – “the name given to elk hides by the specialist tannery tasked with producing the raw materials.” Elk and deer hides are super supple and these Clarks will be no exception. Choose from two colorways – dijon and wasabi – both of which may be some of best we have seen in 2012 so far. The green hue (wasabi) elk leather on the Wallabee is impressive.

Available in limited numbers from Oi Polloi. #need

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ts(s) is one of the more accessible Japanese lines on the market. They distribute throughout Europe as well as in North America. For those new to the line, try to get your hands on some of the garments as they come down to touch and fit (don’t they all). Wools work well throughout the collection including on their contrasting wingtip boots, which will work for many. The yarn work in the wool jackets are choice as well.

Photography: Luca Merli/Mensreverie.com/Selectism.com

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Wingtips come in all forms. Thom Browne does his with signature stripes; this pair on the sole. The real win on this pair of Browne’s is the pebbled leather upper. It is pretty damn beautiful in person. The price-tag is high but in some manner, you know what you are buying into. SOTO has them.

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I’ve been thinking about “factories” like Maine’s Quoddy for a while. For those not aware, Quoddy is located in Lewiston, Maine, a town pretty much in the middle of nowhere. As in literally in the middle of no-where. Imagine one day, you start getting an increase of orders and the next season, you are in Paris and Europe showcasing your hand-made, made to order footwear – it is a pretty incredible idea. They should be riding this run as hard as they can, and it looks like it is not slowing down.

Showing images of the line is like opening up their catalog of options. This is not a collection view: this is a small example of what Quoddy can build for you. And do hear me correct: ANY OF YOU can contact Quoddy and have an individual pair made for yourself. Support Maine. Support Quoddy.

Photography: Jeff Carvalho/Selectism.com

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nonnative offers some interesting footwear for Spring/Summer. Shoe Buff tells us “The brand brings ten new models in which six of them come with a Gore-Tex interior in collaboration with Regal ; Dweller Shoes Wing-Tip, Deck Shoe, Loafer, Plain Toe and Cap Toe.”

The more beach friendly espadrilles might win round those who still find this particular style of shoe objectionable, the slightly wider fit make them appear more moccasin like, espcially invarious shades of suede. A nice selection ranging from smart to run-around.