Footwear Plus

WHAT DO YOU get when you mix coffee beans and mens footwear designs? How about entrepreneur extraordinaire Joshua Bingaman, owner of Progress Coffee, a popular Austin, TX, hangout for the caffeinated crowd, and founder and designer of Helm, a mens line of finely crafted leather shoes and boots. Bingaman splits his time between the two ventures, but admits serving up mouthwatering shoe designs is his primary love.

How does an award-winning architect specializing in bridges crossover to shoes? By happy accident, says designer Julian Hakes.

Fiorentini + Baker releases a luxe capsule collection for little stars.

Jeff Halmos, one-half of the CFDA award-winning creative firm Shipley & Halmos, says there's an unwritten rule that if he or design partner Sam Shipley wouldn't wear it, they won't make it. It's a guideline that's helped actualize a focused (just three styles) and well-received debut collection of men's footwear for fall and is providing the framework for the duo's Spring '12 collection.

Titan designer Celine Ouaknine, also known as The Shoe Girl to savvy fashion blog readers, has a pulse on what footwear fiends want. Since 2008, she's given her readers a peek into the demanding and ever-changing world of shoe design. "It's super fun and I feel a special connection with my readers. We're all just a bunch of shoe lovers, just hanging out," she says. That
insider knowledge, and her own obsession with shoes, kick started the launch of Ouaknine's own line Cece L'amour for spring.

Bride-to-be Kate Middleton stepped out on her first official engagement with Prince William in Wales last week wearing a pair of Aquatalia boots. The bride-to-be paired the 'Rouge' booties in espresso suede with a beige and brown coat (believed to be vintage) and chocolate brown accessories. The future princess recently purchased several pairs of Aquatalia boots at one of London's Russell & Bromley stores, where the brand is sold exclusively in the UK.

Everyone will be a winner at Sunday's Oscar Awards.

In terms of comfort and support, Dansko's first sock line will continue where their shoes leave off. The collection, which features five colorful patterns in three heights, will debut this fall. To manufacture the socks, the West Grove, Pa.-based brand partnered with DeFeet-known for construction innovations popular with professional cyclists and runners.

The line marries Dansko's knack for quality products with its quirky personality.

Magnannis craftsmanship will be on full display at Bergdorf Goodman on Friday, April 16th and Saturday, April 17th. The Fifth Avenue giant and Spanish shoemaker are sponsoring a Custom Finishing Event. The presentation will take place in the Men's Store. Third-generation artisan Miguel Blanco and his brother Pascual will be on hand to greet attendees and demonstrate their detailing and hand painting finishing techniques. Customers can also select a custom color and watch Miguel finish their new Magnannis that day. For more information, visit www.magnanni.com.

From well-heeled guests to well-heeled valets.

If you thought pillow menus were the peak of hotel customization check out Fluevog Shoes' vintage-inspired oxfords designed exclusively for OPUS Hotels. The limited-edition OPUS Hotels Porter Shoes will be worn by valets and male customer service associates at the Vancouver and Montreal locations. The Canadian brand with a knack for designing the unexpected matches the avant-garde hotel brand's unique and luxurious image.