21 December 2014

Introduction to Minimalist Sneaker Staples

We have seen the rise of these products branch out to reach other platforms and different consumers. A significant increase would be in luxurious designer sneakers. Unlike their normal counterpart, they are mostly built for aesthetic purposes and serve little use for sporting usage.


Of course, there would be a niche market between streetwear and high-end culture - clean looking and timeless designs to quench the thirst of individuals seeking minimalist footwear. These versatile kicks usually can be worn to most occasions, be it to casual or solemn events. They are also great alternatives to formal shoes if paired appropriately. It is no wonder why these genre of sneakers are building a rapid fanbase in recent years.


Here are a few brands which you might (or might not have) heard about which produces quality and luxe footwear at decent prices:





Common Projects

Common projects is a New York based label that was launched in 2004 by designers Prathan Poopat and Flavio Girolami. The brand's design approach are inspired by silhouettes of everyday objects.  They are also known to use the finest materials and techniques to craft their footwear and the famous golden number branding on the side of the sneaker.






Filling Pieces

Filling Pieces is an Amsterdam-based footwear label, established in 2009 by designer Guillaume Philibert.  Currently, their collection consists of a variety of unique and contemporary models. All of them are handmade with great care in Portugal, using only the finest Italian material. The products boast the highest quality and original designs while maintaining affordable prices for the masses to purchase.





Buttero

Founded in 1974 by Mauro Sani, Buttero is a company which specialises in creating durable footwear built with the philosophy of tradition, creativity and authenticity.  They use the best italian vegetable-tanned leathers, which ages beautifully with wear. Started out as a cowboy boot manufacturer, the brand have moved on to the modern times, having a cult following for their sneakers, chukka boots and high tops.



ETQ Amsterdam

Established in 2010, the Dutch footwear label are known for their quality handmade sneakers in small Portuguese factories.  Combining the traditional crafting methods from skilled craftsmen with sophisticated aesthetic approaches, they have created a namesake for their unique products which encompasses minimalistic designs and creative materials.