SNEAKER STORE SPOTLIGHT: JD SPORTS

Being a Sneaker Fiend over 20 yrs, I've come across many hidden gems.  From mom and pop stores to slept on sneaker chains, JD Sports is a great combination of both.  Located in the UK, I've been a consumer of theirs for a couple years now.  

I was recently asked to select an item to try out from the store and I chose Nike Air Max 1. Introduced in 1987, the Air Max 1 has been a favorite of Sneaker Fiends like myself which made my choice a no brainer. Air Max's are one of the most comfortable silhouettes that Nike makes and always stylish as far as the colorway goes.  The package arrived a little over a week from the order date, a big plus knowing about international shipping horror stories that has taken a month or more.

One thing that JD Sports offers are "only at JD" items, which are items that are exclusive to store. Some Sneaker Fiends like to have "exclusives"......still getting the joy of being asked "where'd you get those?!". Another handy lil tidbit being a buyer of international stores, JD has one of the lowest international shipping charges.  

With Christmas around the corner, check out JD Sports.  The website is easy to navigate and if you're in the UK there's several retail locations.  There's something for everyone from sneakers to apparel & accessories and you'll get your package in time for the holidays.

HAVE AN OPEN MIND

I came across this old post of Sn'eads by artist Tyree Dillihay that in my opinion reflects today's state of the sneaker game.  There's some folks that are so committed to one specific sneaker brand that they refuse to give other's a try.  There are so many great brands out there.  I've heard some people complain about a certain brand hurting their feet yet they refuse to try another.  

Don't be a follower!  Create your own lane by wearing what you like and not just what's the current popular pair at the moment.  

Not to be preachy and lighten things up a bit, here's a hidden message crossword puzzle.  

If you find the hidden message, comment below.  Enjoy!

FTYA - FRSHR THAN YOUR AVRGE x SOLEXCHANGE EVENT REMINDER

The folks responsible for the FRSHR THAN YOUR AVRGE sneaker battle is back at it again! Saturday, July 27th it's going down and they're doing it big by shutting down Rutgers UNIV. They've teamed up with the good folks of The Solexchange to host an even bigger event with more vendors, more heat, more giveaways and most importantly.....the FTYA Sneaker Battle.  The winner goes home with what some call the Heisman trophy of sneaker battles.  A trophy which Female Sneaker Fiend's founder Lori Lobenstine had the pleasure of winning in the very first FTYA sneaker battle.

So if you're in the tri-state NY/NJ/CT area or DE/PA, swing by and enjoy the festivities.  For more information, you can follow them on instagram @FTYA_SNKBATTLE and @THESOLEXCHANGE.  And to my Female Sneaker Fiends, please rep for us fiends that are unable to make it and do it like you're doing it for TV!!!

Purchase tickets here


DIRECTIONS
From New York Penn Station:
Take New Jersey Transit train towards Trenton, NJ
Get off at New Brunswick stop (approx 45 min.)
Walk to 126 College Ave (approx 12 min) or take a cab

From NJ Turnpike S:
1. Follow signs for New Jersey Turnpike S and merge onto I-95 S/New Jersey Turnpike S Partial Toll road - 29.0 mi
2. Take exit 9 to merge onto NJ-18 N toward US-1/new Brunswick Partial toll road - 3.4 mi
3. Take the George Street exit toward Rutgers University - 0.3 mi
4. Sharp left onto George St - 0.1 mi
5. Take the 1st right onto Seminary Pl - 0.2 mi
6. Turn right onto College Ave
Destination will be on the left - 0.2 mi
126 College Ave
New Brunswick, NJ, 08901

MAYA MOORE AIR JORDAN AND JORDAN BRAND PE

WNBA's Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx is living hoop dreams and then some.  The 23 year old has a league title, an Olympic gold medal, two national championship rings and is a member of Team Jordan......Oh, did I mention she also wears the number 23!  

Nike decided to bless Maya with her own PE version of the Air Jordan XXIII(23), with colors and features paying tribute to her achievements.  And PE versions of the Jordan Aero Manias in 3 home and 3 away versions.  Here's a bit of what Nike said in their press release: "The number 23 is synonymous with the Jordan Brand thanks to MJ, but today, 23 belongs to Maya Moore. After a summer that yielded a championship in China while averaging over 41 points and ten boards per game, Moore returns home for her third season in Minnesota. She wears the number 23, is now 23 years old, and as a member of Team Jordan (23), it’s only right that she hits the court in player exclusive Air Jordan XX3s to start the season."

I must say, this is one of the best pairs of PE's that I've seen in a long time.  A big congrats to Maya for her great accomplishments.  Being an awesome professional athlete at such a young age, there's more greats to come.  

Info & pics via Nike, Inc. 

SNEAKER MUSEUM CELEBRATES!

Sneaker Museum will be doing some partying this upcoming week with 2 launch parties celebrating the launch of their new website & online collection of rare vintage kicks.

  

Established in Boston, Massachusetts in 2012, a Sneaker Museum founded on the belief that the convergence of sneakers and culture marks a pivotal juncture in contemporary history and provides context to explore a multitude of cultural tendrils that define our times.

Their mission, to provide access to rare kicks, facilitate experiences, prompt learning opportunities and connect people by providing unique online content, exhibitions and educational programs celebrating the sneaker culture.  

Here's a sneek peek of what will go down at the first party at Emerald Lounge.

If you're in the Boston area, be sure to check out the museum.  A sneaker lover will definitely appreciate this showcase!  

For more info check out Sneaker Museum 

More visuals 

CINCINNATI SNEAKER SHOWCASE

It's that time of year again and the Cincinnati Sneaker Showcase is back!  Taking place Sunday, June 2nd from 12pm-4pm with exhibitors and vendors in the building, this will be a great way to kick off the month of June.  For tickets go to Cincyticket.com. There's also a hotel discount at Kingsgate Marriott when you mention the showcase.

Further info can be found on Cincy Sneaker Showcase

RIME, BROOKLYN PRESENTS......FIFTY SHADES OF J'S

Rime will be hosting their first art show, Brooklyn Curated vol.2: "Fifty Shades of J's" feat. Greg Bemis.  This is one event that sneaker lovers shouldn't miss.  In a nutshell, Greg Bemis drew Jordan's 1-13 in their original colorways and made textile designs.  The show will also feature NYC artists Reginald Pean & Kristin Maher.  If you're in the Brooklyn, NY area and would like to drop by, don't forget to rsvp.

Here's a promo video featuring Greg Bemis' work: http://vimeo.com/66740963

KICKS ON THE LINE!!! Jordan 10 Retro "Chicago"

Hey ladies! This weekend was cold and snowy in NYC, however that didn't stop #SNKRLUVRS from coming out and waiting in line for their pair of CHICAGO 10's!

Windy City Sole Sneaker Summit!

Females of the Windy City Sole Summit!

On September 3rd, 2011 Windy City Sole held the first annual Windy City Sole Sneaker summit where you could buy, sell, trade and see some rare sneakers that you wouldn't normally see! And I was there to bring you all the details on how the ladies and fellas of the Chi held it down!!

First up to bat we have Vintage Pot which is led and owned by the one and only Brenda Bee!

Brenda and her hubby had a table full of MTTM, Johnny Cupcakes x Hello Kitty, Vintage Bulls Championship gear and not to mention for the sneakerhead mommies out there she had OG jordans, nikes and many others for the up and coming sneakerhead in your life!

Next up we had the wonderful Ms. Carmen Carlos who was killing it with the Air Jordan V Tokyo 23's! She was murdering chicks and fellas all afternoon with the heat she had on!!

Carmen's table had nothing but Jays for days!! Everyone was so impressed with her table I have to admit I was taken aback when I saw her from across the room rocking those vibrant Toyko 23's!

Here are some photos from the rest of the summit! I can't wait to see it all happen again next year!!!

Pics are from sole-closet.com and Beau Monde

Releasing today

Well these officially release today, 6-17-23 Carmine. But they have been on pys and a few other sites for about a month. Not my favorite Hybrid idea from JB but maybe they may look better in person or in a different colorway. Only time will tell.
pickyourshoes.com has them for about $20 under sticker price. Also available at Footlocker. Both places offer a full size run. As always happy shopping ladies!

Cool Grey Midnight Launch Parties @ Footaction

Cool Grey 11s are here! Parties in South Dekalb and LA also...

Air Jordan Force IV Girls Grey/Daybreak

If you´re looking for a good Air Jordan Force IV, we can help you. Extra Butter just received these kicks just for girls, on grey/daybreak colorway. Also it’s Lasered, making it nearly irresistible!

Available at Extra Butter.

Source: Freshnessmag

Jordan X Sole Collector CMFT 11 SC Premier

You will definitely see me out there on Long Island this Saturday 10/23 for this limited drop! These are a a casual tribute to the iconic Air Jordan XI celebrating the introduction of carbon fiber to the Air Jordan series, first incorporated by Tinker Hatfield to help revolutionize the footwear industry. This tribute to the brand’s most beloved model has a synthetic carbon fiber weave along the overlay rand instead of the usual patent leather. 23 randomly selected customers will receive a custom lasered carbon fiber box!

Available this Saturday 10/23:

EAST COAST
Nike Roosevelt Field
630 Roosevelt Field Mall Old Country Rd
Garden City, NY 11530

WEST COAST
Nike Santa Monica
Third Street Promenade
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Nice Kicks counts off the women's Jordan releases that men envy!

On the eve of Vashtie's AJ2 release, Nice Kicks just came out with a fun article called, "Lady's Luck: 16 Women's Air Jordans That Men Want". If you're a Jordan head, check it out and vote for your favorite!

PS--I know some small-footed Jordan fans that could write an article called "Men's Luck: 100 Air Jordans We Wish Came in Our Size!"

FSF exclusive interview with Va$htie

Vashtie's celebrating finally getting to talk about her historic Jordan collab, after keeping a big secret for a year! Hear what she has to say about how she designed the shoe balancing the feminine and masculine, how being a tomboy helps her at work and why she wants guys to feel our pain of not having shoes in our size! Go Va$htie! All the details and more pics HERE.

Thanks to Courtney at samplesaleshop.com for helping with the interview and the pics!

AJ2 Retro - VASHTIE KOLA!!!

Still on a high from this past weekend's Sister 2 Sister event in Boston, I was very happy to see that female designer/video director/artist Vashtie Kola was called upon for the Jordan Holiday 2010 Girls collection to create a pair just for us that will have guys in awe! It is a limited-edition with lavender and deep-purple on the upper, along with metallic lavender laces and midsole! NICE!!! Look for these next month along with the AJ2 Retro "Candy" pack.

Source: JUMPMAN23

Air Jordan 1 Armor

Following in the footsteps of the newly released AF1 Foamposite, these will be released this coming November. The injection-molded foam upper in reflective silver and strip of icy blue on the sole keeps it clean while turning heads your way! Do you think all sneakers will eventually look like these going further into this millenium?

Source: FOOTLOCKER UNLOCKED

ATMOS-For the Love of the Game Pop UP Shop

This transformation of Atmos to Carolina blue for the World Basketball Festival was under the radar for good reason! When you see the store from the outside, you have no choice but to venture in for extreme eye candy! The Carolina blue captivates, and so do the many version of Jordans made especially For the Love of the Game! Great kicks & matching tees, even shoes for us ladies! If you are in Harlem anytime soon, be sure to check out the store! MORE PICS HERE

ATMOS
203 W. 125th St
NY, NY 10027-4408
(212) 666-2242

Future Sole Voting Open Now!

Here's your chance to influence the next generation of possible Nike/Jordan designers! Check out the finalists of the annual Future Sole competition, and you'll see some up-and-coming talent. I'm especially excited about Sarah Sabino's design in the college Jordan competition (she reps FSF too!), but each category has a female in the mix and they're making the boys sweat =) Go online and judge (and vote) for yourself!

VOTE NOW! Voting ends soooon...

Air Jordan Melo M6 Future Sole Release

Austin Jermacans designed this snazzy update of the Melo 6, and won last year's Future Sole competition with 'em! Now's your chance to either grab a pair (releasing on 5/29 at select NIKETOWN locations) or design your own and enter the Future Sole Competition yourself!

They are giving away an autographed pair of Jordan Future Sole M6 by Carmelo Anthony on launch day at each store location. Check out the select NIKETOWN locations: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco and Las Vegas for details.


Melo M6 Future Sole also available on nikestore.com.

Thanks to Sneakernews for the images.