Aug

2010

Style At Large

By Michael Macko

Menswear veteran and Valet's Editor at Large, Michael Macko, presents an insider's take on what's new and noteworthy in the world of style.

Just the Facts: The Vans Slip-Up

Who:

Vans

What:

The Donny Miller Slip-Up

Where:

Flight Club, New York and Barneys stores

When:

Released this summer for $65

Why:

Not since John Varvatos swapped them for elastic on a pair of Chuck Taylors has there been such focus on sneaker laces. The Donny Miller Slip-Up from Vans is the company's classic slip-on with a trompe l'oeil print that makes it look like their signature Authentic lace-up sneaker. Simple concept, huge reaction. The illusion is courtesy of Donny Miller, a talented 32-year-old artist from LA who's also the author of the tongue-in-cheek self book entitled: "Beautiful People with Beautiful Feelings," which includes such pearls of wisdom as "Money fixes everything. Just rub it on any problem you have in your life" and "Everyone thought he was smart. Turns out he was just really opinionated." While it's a lot to place on a simple canvas sneaker, the video Miller directed for the collaboration makes you wonder if everything is really as it appears. After all, it's kind of nice to be surprised now and then—even by a shoe.

Insider Tip

The versions made for the Vans Vault label are available at a lot of stores that stock Vans, including Barneys and Fred Segal. But Journeys now has four exclusive non-vault colors for only $30.