It’s pretty normal. Worn one of two ways-back in a bandana, or wrapped across the center of the forehead-it evoked a different attitude for each individual. But equally, so did the fact Golden Goose that at 34 Lee is part of the streetwear generation, a cohort that came up wearing Nike trainers and clothes that put an emphasis on cool and comfort. Kate and Laura Mulleavy are skipping New York Fashion Week-except they’re totally not. As people of color we’re often considered to be the minority’ and made invisible because race in America is constructed as either Black or white.
“It’s a really holistic certification,” explains the brand’s Sustainability Analyst Hana Kajimura. Rutson’s great hope is that the women Golden Goose Shoes who buy those pieces aren’t afraid to wear them the “right” way. You were seeing that unbranded, simple, Everlane aesthetic starting to take over in a way it hadn’t before. “We’re all stuck at home right now,” she confirms. “We were inspired by Everlane,” she says. Things turned upside down, inside out, backwards. “Shoes are part of every day of your life. Many of the early members of his close-knit team he first met on Tumblr; for his first season, he chose to show in Paris during men’s week with no PR or sales representative.
In year’s past, August meant finalizing plans for fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan, and Paris and reconnecting with international editors. This year, fashion week travels are largely put on hold, and we’re missing the social aspects we look forward to (like back-of-taxi show Golden Goose Sneakers reviews and walking lunches) just as much as the actual shows. While many of us are getting glimpses of our individual teams regularly on Zoom, the thought of seeing another colleague in real life is exciting to say the least.
“When the pandemic first hit New York City we started to experience a lot of racism as Asian Americans, as immigrants. It’s time to step up to the plate, and you can do it in a pair of really great shoes. Think: superfine knits you can layer up in come rain or shine, or chunky knit sweaters in neutral color palettes and classic silhouettes you can return to again and again. But what exactly does ‘work from home’ mean when you’re a global icon? “There’s so much to do, right?” She laughs. The coronavirus has effectively mandated that everyone stay in their homes, barring any meetings or brunch dates, which are perfectly suited for showing off the Song of Style footwear.
We think of J.Lo as a stiletto icon-the bedazzled platforms in Hustlers, the nude pumps in The Wedding Planner, the 5-inch sandals she throws into the ocean singing, “Love Don’t Cost a Thing.” But the high school track star insists “I was a tomboy growing up. And even when I was a dancer in my late teens and early 20s, it was all about Doc Martens, Timberlands, and combat boots. And I’m from the Bronx, so I’m kind of a born sneakerhead-where I come from, your sneakers say a lot about you.