Footwear Maker Steps It Up for Italian Runway

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Milan received a taste of Malibu on the runway during its Men’s Fashion Week.

Malibu footwear brand Malibu Sandals partnered with Italian luxury label Missoni to create a line of men’s sandals that debuted on the Milan runway last summer. The styles are now available in select retail shops.

Kevin O’Neill, founder of Malibu Sandals, said it was the first time his label collaborated with another fashion brand.

“We’ve always admired the Missoni brand and were excited to have our design teams collaborate on this project,” he said.

Malibu Sandals took its modern huarache sandal style and tailored the design to fit with Missoni’s spring-summer 2016 men’s collection.

The labels shared color and material direction to create two styles – a 10-strap woven slide and a four-strap traditional sling back – in six colors. The sandals were featured in 23 looks during Missoni’s fashion show.

O’Neill said the process was an enjoyable one and the footwear brand was able to stay true to its design aesthetics.

“The hybrid huarache design language inherent to Malibu Sandals was also applied to the Missoni product styles for this collaboration,” he said. “It’s consistent with the main Malibu collection for (spring-summer 2016) offering, which features two-tone upper patterns and classic color contrasts. The Missoni colors are a lot of fun. We also call out the sandal foot bed using Missoni’s signature terracotta color.”

The sandal retails for $150 and is sold through a handful of retailers including Missoni, Canvas at Malibu Country Mart, select Bloomingdale’s stores and online.

O’Neill founded Malibu Sandals last year to revamp the classic huarache sandal. The handmade product is made with cruelty-free materials.

Extra Lap

Eritrean-born distance runner Meb Keflezighi is taking another step with Manhattan Beach shoemaker Skechers USA Inc.

Skechers Performance, a division of Skechers, announced earlier this month that it would be extending its brand ambassador contract with Keflezighi for an additional seven years.

Skechers Performance will remain Keflezighi’s official footwear and apparel sponsor and feature the marathoner in marketing campaigns as well as collaborating with him on new footwear releases.

Keflezighi said it’s been a rewarding experience working with the footwear brand and being able to help create running shoes.

“Skechers Performance has helped me achieve my goals over the past five years and the team’s support through all the highs and lows has been very consistent,” he said.

A few days after the contract renewal, Keflezighi, 41, qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic marathon team, which will be his fourth trip to the games. He will be the oldest U.S. athlete to run an Olympic marathon.

Rick Higgins, senior vice president of merchandising and marketing for Skechers Performance, said it’s been an incredible journey working with the famed athlete.

“He is a phenomenal role model, an essential ambassador to the sport and a champion on and off the course. We are excited to continue working with Meb, as he has truly become a part of the Skechers family.”

Skechers Performance is the second-largest athletic footwear company in the United States. Its shoes are available at select specialty running stores and Skechers retail locations as well as on Skechers.com.

Revolving Doors

Playa Vista footwear and accessories company Toms is opening its second L.A.-area store at the Americana at Brand in Glendale this summer. The new shop will carry the label’s entire collection of merchandise. … Elizabeth and James, co-founded by fashion designers and former child stars Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, will be opening its first retail store in July. The 3,000-square-foot space at the Grove in L.A.’s Fairfax District will feature clothing, accessories, jewelry and fragrance. … New York-based artist, designer and vintage market Artist & Fleas is expanding outside of downtown Los Angeles with the opening of an additional market in Venice next month. The market, featuring fashion and food, will take place at 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd. on the first and fourth Saturday of each month starting March 5. … Boutique spa Yellow Door opened in West Los Angeles earlier this month, offering beauty and waxing services for men and women for less than $100. … Luxury swimwear boutique Everything but Water plans to open a concept store in Beverly Hills in April. In addition to carrying pieces from labels such as Vitamin A and Gottex, the shop will carry accessories, bath and beauty products. … British jewelry designer Polly Wales relocated her studio and workshop last month to downtown Los Angeles. The 2,500-square-foot space is also home to a showroom and consultation services.

Staff reporter Subrina Hudson can be reached at [email protected] or (323) 549-5225, ext. 251.

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