Hey Dude, Manolo Blahnik's Got Some Shoes for You

Manolo Blahnik may not be a name you're familiar with, but I'm guessing if you asked any woman in your life about him, she'd have a thing or two to say. Thanks to one episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (and fine, Sex and the City), he's become one of the most sought after shoe designers in the world. Women love him for his delicate approach to footwear, and now, he's getting his feet wet in the world of men's shoes.

Blahnik actually began his career designing for men, and has always created shoes for himself, so it's not exactly virgin territory. But this is the first time he's presented his collection on a larger scale. There's traces of his design pedigree here—everything is elegant, and in some cases a little too elegant (even for formal wear). Dainty as some of this offering may be (we're looking at you, sandals), there are some standouts to look out for, particularly the rubber-sole suede lace ups, brogued boots, and even those rattan shoes with the luxe beach vibes. It's also worth saying that those riding boots are fly as hell, but we should only catch you wearing them when atop your noble steed.

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Oaxacan youth basketball team competes on a global level - latimes.com

Oaxacan youth basketball team competes on a global level - latimes.com

Oaxacan youth basketball team competes on a global level

What the young, barefoot members of the Niños Triquis basketball team lack in equipment, they make up with skill on the court.

Melquiades Ramirez, a Ninos Triquis point guard, drives to the basket during the Oaxacan team's opening game of a youth basketball tournament at the Toberman Recreation Center in Los Angeles on Saturday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times / December 21, 2013

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-oaxaca-basketball-20131222,0,5225594.story#ixzz2ogrf0kLP

By Esmeralda Bermudez

December 21, 2013, 7:53 p.m.

The one they call Coco, because his head's a perfect sphere, is barely 4 feet tall. Still, he'd be willing, he said, to take on Kobe Bryant.


And who would the winner be?

"Probably me," said Haritskevin Merino Hernandez. "I'm little. I run faster."

The 7-year-old basketball player recently arrived in Los Angeles with a team of 16 other children to compete in a Christmas Cup Tournament against L.A.-based teams. The Niños Triquis, as they are known because most are descendants of Triqui Indians, came from the Southern Mexican state of Oaxaca — from remote mountainous regions where basketball has been played religiously for generations.

Their parents live poor and marginalized, often packed into huts with up to 30 relatives. But the children have become famous across Latin America for their court skills. They have won championships throughout Mexico and in Argentina and the Dominican Republic. Next year, they will compete in Spain, then Africa.

The boys are tiny, ages 6 to 12, but on the court they are fierce. Wherever they go, they draw attention because they prefer to play barefoot. Tennis shoes were never something they could afford.

On Saturday, the Oaxacan community gathered at the Toberman Recreation Center in Pico-Union to welcome the players to a daylong tournament against local Oaxacan teams. They honored them with a 14-piece brass band, a traditional Mixteco dance and a parade.

Crowds circled the boys, shouting praise and snapping photos.

"I'm so proud," said Leticia Diaz, 33, stretching her neck to get a peek. "They represent Oaxaca and my people. I want my children to see them and feel inspired."

The Central Los Angeles resident had a 9-year-old nephew playing on an opposing team, the Wildcats.

"But I'm rooting for the Triquis," she said. "I'm sure he'll understand."

The Niños Triquis have become a darling of Mexican television, their faces broadcast to the nation each time they return home from foreign games.

Three years ago, their coach, Sergio Zuñiga, launched the team with little fanfare. The native of Mexico City wanted to inspire indigenous kids from isolated villages to stay in school. Too many dropped out at as young as six or seven to work in the fields. Then they came north with relatives to find work in the United States.

"When you hardly have food and all you know is hard labor," Zuñiga said, "it's hard to stay motivated."

The children loved shooting hoops, so the former sports trainer began a basketball academy using loans and donations from friends.

At the Academy of Indigenous Basketball, located in five regions across the state of Oaxaca, about 2,000 children now have the chance to study and play ball.

The top 150 kids — those who keep a B+ grade point average, practice their native indigenous language and help with chores around the house — are sent to study in Oaxaca's capital.

Their lodging and meals are paid for with funds raised by the wife of Oaxaca's governor. And with help from Mexican corporations, the students get to compete abroad as part of the official Niños Triquis team.

"They are stars," Zuñiga said. "But most importantly, they are grounded. They know after every trip they will have to return to their families, to the same poverty they've always known. That's why they play with so much intensity."

Every trip abroad is a mix of luxury and making ends meet.

In Southern California, with help from local businesses, they will visit Disneyland and several universities. They also met the Lakers and attended one of their games. Kobe, unfortunately, was out injured.

Since the group cannot afford a hotel, the players and coaches — 26 people total — are sharing a four-bedroom house, courtesy of a local Oaxacan federation.

"It's a lot of fun," said Silvino Martinez de Jesus, 7. "And very loud."

Before the tournament games began Saturday, the players were kept secluded inside the recreation center's gymnasium. They needed to concentrate. They ate chips and drank sugary juice. They played with their coaches' cellphones and chatted among themselves in Triqui.

Their competition gathered outside, discussing in English a strategy to beat them. The Eagles, a team from Culver City, was well aware of the Triqui team's moves. They'd studied them on YouTube and had mixed feelings about their chances.

"I know they're super fast," said Vanessa Cruz, 11.

"And strong," said her teammate, Valentino Carrasco, 10.

"But I think we can beat them," Vanessa said.

"No way," Valentino countered.

Moments later, the two watched the star team take its place on the court for their first game. They played against the Wildcats. The crowd gathered around hollering and clapping, eight to 10 people deep.

The whistle blew, and they were off.

The Wildcats were immediately overwhelmed. Within the first five minutes, the tiniest player on the Triqui team, 10-year-old Melquiades Ramirez, dodged one player after another, his feet black with dirt from the asphalt, until he had sunk the ball into the net not once, but more than a dozen times.

"Muy bien! Muy bien," Zuñiga shouted from the sidelines.

The Wildcats hardly had a chance at the ball. Each time they touched it, a Triqui swooped in to steal it.

The final score: 47-3.

Vanessa and her teammates watched from the sidelines. They were next.

"OK," she said. "Maybe we're not going to win."

esmeralda.bermudez@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATbermudez

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-oaxaca-basketball-20131222,0,5225594.story#ixzz2ogscNtqJ

 http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-oaxaca-basketball-20131222,0,5225594.story#ixzz2ogr9FOWi

Male Feet Celebrity Footwear UGG Boot Trend

Male Celebrities Have Caught The Ugg Boots Trend Too

Originally made for sheep herders, ugg bootsugg boots for men[/url] have become the must have footwear for male stars all over. Wondering why? This column will advise you!
If you have been paying any attention to celeb style recently, you have possibly noticed a proliferation of Ugg boots. Their name comes from “ugly”, as these sheepskin boots were originally made for functional reasons, not for style. Furthermore it’s true – nearly all people do not know the appeal of this chunky,furry footwear. Nevertheless, that’s not stopping the majority celebrities in addition to other people who’ve they would like to purchase Australian Uggs.
Ugg boots have a special allure to them, besides being very comfortable and warm, in even the worst weather conditions. They’ve got a long past, too. Initially made for shepherds in Australia and others in places with a lot of rough weather, these boots keep the toes warm and dry, but still let them to breathe. Together with their newfound status as being a must have for the trendy set,these traits have seen much more people (famous people included) to choose Uggs.
Celebrity backing has made Ugg boots even more accepted
They have been trendy with female stars for longer, with celebrities from Sarah Jessica Parker to Kate Moss dressed in their stylish Uggs in all weathers as seen frequently in tabloid magazines. Even Oprah listed Ugg Boots on her list of favorite things, so that is endorsement indeed.
Ugg boots are designed for men too
Recently, they guys have begun wearing Uggs too.ugg boots for men have been seen on stars from Ronnie Wood, guitarist with the Rolling Stones, to Leonardo DiCaprio and Justin Timberlake. These Australian Ugg boots have surely come a long way from their humble origins. From sheep shearers to WWII aviators to 1970s surfers to contemporary celebrities, they’ve been worn by lots of people. The most trendy men’s Uggs which have been worn by the male stars include the Ugg Classic Tall plus the Ugg Classic Short boots, while they do have many more styles.
Whether you love or can’t bear ugg womens bags, they are definitely here to stay, with Ugg shops opening in shopping centers all over. You can check out a pair of these great men’s Ugg boots in person to find out whether they in fact live up to all the publicity. Or,if you are certain you know very well what you wish, check out some of the many on the internet shops offering them – sometimes at a big discount over others.

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Footwear Fashion Tips: How wear socks + shoes!

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HOW TO WEAR SOCKS + SHOES

Sock and shoes have been a fashionable trend for a while now, but have you tried it yet?

Socks with heels, ankle boots and men's style shoes like brogues and loafers is a bold look but easy to carry off with a few simple steps. 

The Saturday's singer Mollie King has been favouring them with her block heels. 

We have a few tips on how you can wear the trend:

1. Don't wear it with sophtiscated look: The trend is fun and quirky, so turning up for work with frilly socks and your court shoes won't work.
2. Keep it fun: Choose pretty, frilly, bold and different socks to wear the trend. A pair of boring old black ones just won't have the same effect.
3. Stick to these shoes: The trend works with chunky heels, wedges, brogues, loafers, ankle boots - so stick to these when wearing the look. 

• Try: Why not try a pair of socks with ankle boots and tights, they'll keep you that little bit warmer in this weather too. Pick a pair that will stand out, a little pop of colour will work perfectly. 

• And just remember: Socks and flat sandals will never look good. 

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Tracking the Men's Movement

Eric Jennings likes to tell the story of a recent trip to the pedicurist as an illustration of how far the men’s market has come.


At the nail salon, the men’s fashion director at Saks Fifth Avenue looked around and realized that the male clientele outnumbered the women by four to one. And this, he noted, exemplifies the shift that has taken place in the market over the last few years.
“That is the new normal,” he said. “Men are taking their appearance more seriously and focusing on how they can better present themselves.”

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RELATED STORY: 5 Men's Brands to Watch >>

New NIKE FREE TW '13 + Golf Iconic Footwear Fashion Design Review!

It’s Major Time: 

NIKE Golf Adds Color to its Iconic TW ’13 Limited Edition Footwear

Combining groundbreaking innovation with longstanding tradition, Nike Golf has created the NIKE FREE Inspired TW ‘13 Limited Edition footwear in time for the first major championship of the season.

The Nike TW ’13 Limited Edition shoe (MAP $179.99) is crafted of waterproof multi-stretch synthetic leather in white, a NIKE FREE Inspired outsole popped in green, a touch of yellow on the top eye-stay and a hint of red in the TW logo on the tongue.

“The NIKE FREE Inspired TW ‘13 has done exceptionally well at retail with consumers raving about the performance of the shoe. Since its debut, we haven’t been able to keep the TW’13 in stock. We decided to release a limited edition version to celebrate the first major of the season.” said Lee Walker, Nike Golf’s Footwear Product Director.

The inspiration behind the Nike TW ‘13 footwear began with Tiger Woods himself. He asked for a shoe that gave him the same performance fit and feel as his NIKE FREE shoes when he runs and trains. That question ignited collaboration between Woods, Nike Golf’s footwear creation team and Nike’s Innovation Kitchen, led by Tobie Hatfield.

The NIKE FREE Inspired outsole is designed to mimic and conform to the natural motion of the foot, coupled with the protection and traction of a lightweight performance golf shoe. This innovative outsole delivers flexibility that allows the athlete to keep contact with the ground longer, unleashing the full power of their swing.

The Nike TW ’13 also features the Nike Dynamic Fit support system. Targeted support delivers unprecedented strength-to-weight ratio and one-to-one fitted support. Flywire infused nylon straps extend 360° from the footbed to the lacing system, securing the foot for an adaptive fit that provides golfers stability with mobility.

Limited quantities of this footwear will be available March 28, 2013 in retailers across the country as well as through www.nike.com.

Located at NIKE’s World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike Golf designs and markets golf equipment, apparel, balls, footwear, bags and accessories worldwide. Nike Golf is passionately dedicated to ushering in the future of this great sport by developing ground-breaking innovations that enable and inspire athletes to become better. For more information on Nike Golf, visit our Web site at www.nikegolf.com. To follow Nike Golf on Twitter visit www.twitter.com/nikegolf and to become a fan on facebook go to www.facebook.com/nikegolf. To view Nike Golf videos subscribe to our You Tube channel at www.youtube.com/nikegolf. Editors and journalists in the U.S. seeking editorial information and downloadable images, visit www.nikegolf.com/presscenter. For international journalists, please contact Nike Golf’s public relations representative in respective countries for information.

Be sure to bookmark us for future updates on men/women footwear technology + boys footwear design  fashions reviews!

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NIKE Free Run + VIBRAM FiveFingers Running Shoes - Male Feet Store Reviews

NIKE FREE RUN + VIBRAM FIVE FINGERS

Wearing the ideal clothes or shoes can make a big difference in how comfy your exercise is.  Operating shoes are particularly necessary because of the outstanding effect received by your feet while you are operating.  Choosing the ideal pair can imply the difference amongst comfort and pretty achy feet.  There are lots of different types of operating shoes, and they include a lot of different prices.  A very affordable item frequently will not get the job accomplished, but there's no purpose to go towards the most expensive either.  All of which could be avoided if I was wearing barefoot operating shoes.  But I wasn't!  I'll tell you alot more in regards to the horrors of barefoot America in a moment (which includes precisely what "tar knives" are) but, first let me explain what barefoot operating shoes are all about!  Barefoot operating shoes are also called "minimalist" shoes or "transition shoes" by the barefoot operating community.  

• Vibram FiveFingers Men's KSO Trek Hiking Shoe - Brown In Size: 45 (Google Affiliate Ad)

 

• Vibram FiveFingers Womens KomodoSport - Blue In Size: 38 (Google Affiliate Ad)

 

VIBRAM FiveFingers Seeya Barefoot Running Shoe - Women's

A superb pair of operating shoes will make you significantly a lot more comfy, but your comfort will not be complete without the proper clothes to go with them.  Cotton utilized to become the ideal decision around, because it breathes.  But newer synthetics that both breathe and dry speedily have now surpassed cotton in delivering comfort.  Clothing is normally the aspect of a professional operating store's inventory, but it may be a lot more expensive there than other areas.  Generating a good decision in footwear is invariably necessary, considering with no your feet in functioning order, life is significantly harder.  But if you're going to place as significantly effect onto your feet as taking a run does, it really is particularly necessary to choose the ideal kind of shoe.  These barefoot operating shoes actually live up to their name; they even have five person, separated toes that get you pretty close to the actual stance and motion of operating barefoot.