SUMMER SOFT STEPPERS

Gliding the grounds in compromising footwear is the last thing you'd want to be summer indulging. Instead step light. Step right.

I went to market scoring season-lustful finds. From cushiony to soft-soled, MSR selected flavorful picks to help trod a soft step and comfy pep.

TOMS

Here's a brand that marries philanthropic passion and inventive whimsy designs. The shoe's versatile appeal offers wearers wardrobe options--from summer casual to summer hip--in one dose. I say cool! The craftsmanship is straightforward. Rich fabrics (ranging from swanky burlap to plush organic cotton) adjoined to EVA cushion insoles. Oh yea, and awesome latex arch supports. TOMS popular appeal gives buyers a key promise: Happiness Guaranteed.

What more can you ask of TOMS after that hardy promise?! Zilch.


GAP

Tried and true from 1969.

Since Patrick Robinson's creative director appointment, GAP's been modernizing classics. A sheer example with the unfussy fresh deck shoe fulling out below. With a recognizing return of the "deck" style, GAP interpretation ring out summer staple! Packing cotton canvas and breathable cushion the shoe steers summer walking on the right path.


Cole, Rood & Haan

The boat shoe is all the [trend] rage still. Three summers in counting...

Every season I nail a boat shoe I can effortlessly slide on. '010's summer shoe saunters over from design house Cole, Rood & Haan! The "Ducky" style promotes a clever incorporation of hidden elasticized goring for lace less wearing. And to boot, the Ducky boast immaculate hand sewing and hand-crafting of vegetable Italian leather.

Without difficulty I can softly say: I’ll be decking in my Ducky’s come yachting time in Montauk.

WE HEART: Cole, Rood & Haan Co.

I’ll be honest right out and say "I never took conscious glances at the Cole Haan brand." (Not even when Nike, Inc. took brand ownership.) Feelings changed last week when I had the opportunity to engage, explore, and dive on a Cole, Rood & Haan shoe. The company paid brilliant nods to their 1920s Chicagoan heritage with the Cole, Rood & Haan Co. collection.

Last month Cole, Rood & Haan Co. hosted an intimate brand showoff in a speakeasy (real 1920s!) style loft. Each shoe style, shape finishing, bright detail stitch cuts, drew in Mr. MSR closer and closer. Plush cushioned insoles, luxurious Italian leathers, natural wood bottoms, wide-stitch engineering (a telltale for any durable high-quality shoe) trailed through the well-executed and distinguished collection. The collection breadth holds a varied style range (as you can witness below) and offers wardrobe versatility, as great shoes should.

Mr. MSR is a huge fan and boaster of the label’s dress boots! The pair I’m currently sporting (Boot Leg model) into the NYC ground just cannot break free. I actually don’t want it to either! My other shoes are getting envious I think?—lol.

To shop the breathtaking C.R.H. collection or get stockist information, please visit Cole, Rood & Haan Co. online.

(The Boot Leg style atop)

Christian Louboutin + Men’s = Fly Footwear!

Last year April, I joined lipstick-red heel Louboutin devotees for his ‘Sole Desire’ exhibit at F.I.T. (Fashion Institute of Technology) , where a hodgepodge of imaginative stiletto pumps canvassed all over. Christian Louboutin manages to flawlessly imitate art + functionality all into one shoe. I grew a likable fascination after touring the smartly-curate space.

So… Just imagine how beaming and excited Mr. MSR is when a Louboutin insider shared [with me] he’s finally foraying into men’s shoes! About TIME! Christian attempted in past seasons with capsule men’s collection (pictured below)—offering limited edition counts. But now, it’s the dudes turn to bold and pop out on the footwear movement.

Stay on MSR beat for more updates surrounding this stirring endeavor!

I need this in my closet before Christmas! Oh, these are $1,695.

The leopard-print high tops are $835!

SPRING TIME FEVER!

This morning I rose to the official 1st fresh day of spring. Before this, I have been meandering into retail spaces to drum up what looks and products would bloom bright. I made a strong effort not to recklessly unload dinero until Mr. MSR covered the seasons product gamut.

A hearty thank you to the retail shops/boutiques who previewed Mr. MSR their freshly arranged merchandise; beauty companies who scented me with new masculine scents, and press agents for introducing us with pleasing products and collections.

Here’s what I highly recommend you debut in spring season.

SHOES

Since late December up until February I have been reaffirming inward and outwardly plush velvet slippers are going to be a buzzing hit this season. Like major hit Gents! In the current heavy-laden footwear market, brands are beginning to master and craft lofty counts of luxe velvet slippers. With the reintroduction of velvet slippers, I suggest venturing to the confines of Ralph Lauren and Stubbs & Wootton for stately and matchless velvet slipper selections. They're both known leaders on the specific style.






WARDROBE

We’re calling up fashion pals Michael Bastian and Kris Van Assche to outline our walk-in closets this Spring. Both collections Gents, are terrific! Mr. Bastian conjured an easy-wear-easy-feel spring assortment. With rich solid colors (very few striping and plaids) being the limelight focus, Michael’s spring pieces convey a relaxed broken-in energy. In union with his day job as chief designer of Dior Homme, Kris still makes us men look dashing-casual with his namesake artsy collection. For spring, I zoomed in on a lot of roomy pants and shape-slimming suits. What I marvel about Kris’ wondrous collection is the variety of styling you can achieve, whether opting for minimized or maximized effects.








ACCESSORY

Let’s face it—we’re involved in a global warming rollercoaster. Meteorologists, along with the public just can’t predict the weather outcome these days. Side note: I saw snowflake droplets raining from the sky early this morning, before the clouds opened up to its partner sunshine. Just in case we return to spring normalcy , my accessory this season is, not a well-built trench coat, but a sturdy-functioning umbrella. Who better to turn to than world-class manufacturer Victorinox Swiss Army! This season, check in with V.S.A and seize up the 3-staged automatic titanium-alloy umbrella.



SCENTS

To complete a look, even after loading on your few accessories Gents, a pleasing touch of fragrance touch is end result for any ensemble. This season I had the opportunity to whiff Donna Karan’s new Men’s fragrance, DKNY MEN, and it’s the perfect mix for spring—especially during the night hours. Boasting super-firm aromas of lavender, clary sage, sandalwood, the congruently –angled bottle (inspired by NYC’s historic Flatiron building) is a must-must (twice for importance) grab.

KANYE WEST & LOUIS VUITTON ?

Since the onset of the heavily circulated Kanye-Louis design apprenticeship news (mostly footwear) , I have been fully embedded—waiting for the final creation. I wanted to see what the self-proclaimed LV Don would master up!! Coming from an Art background, I figured power and stellar designs would seep from Kanye’s palms. To be candor, I was NOT impressed with the final execution. After tuning into Louis Vuitton’s Paris show for the footwear premiere, I wasn’t the bit WOWED! Like not even a little. It didn’t grip nor interest my purchasing pockets. I liked hearing his vision and semi- methodic process for the mid-top sneaker construction.

The fiery red choice is a power statement, but the design aesthetics just doesn’t make the cut. I'm more apt to wear the white sneaker/boat shoe hybrid with tassle laces he designed for the collection. Kanye's Louis Vuitton shoe line plans for a '09 summer (JUNE) rollout.

I must say though, the sneaker splashed artfully on the Louis Vuitton runway in Paris.

Check video gabbing about LV menswear show:

The featured images below: Louis Vuitton runway still and Kanye West's white Louis Vuitton designed sneaker.

DUCKING THE SNOW WITH EASE

As of lately, amid tiring economic slump reporting and U.S. Automaker bailout efforts, news reports rather not focus on the prospective winter weathers. I remember a time where it was standard to forecast snow and blizzard arrivals. Nowadays, news anchors (even meteorologists) are mum regarding prospected snow droppings. Very few states and areas welcomed weighty snowfalls. To make ready for the massive snowflakes, we have sourced more than a few snow-combating and easy-wearing men’s duck boots. All the boots shown, features highly durable traction or cleated soles—must-have ingredients for battling amounting snow.

Made by Superior Boot Co.
Aren't these duckies sleek and neat? Also available in low top option (pictured below).

Flax color boot by Sorel.

Zipper boots made by Tingley

Thinsulate boots by LaCrosse.

** We suggest opting for the reserves (as done in rigorous combat) if challenged against a beat-down snow blizzard.

Major heavy-duty boots designed by ITASCA.

High traveling (31" exactly) snow boots by Servus.