CITYist

The latest in the Keds’ collaborations are the “French Edition” pairs for Opening Ceremony. The kicks feature two quintessentially French patterns, the sailor boat stripe and the landscape-strewn “Toile de Jouy,” updated with playful twists. The wide-striped navy and cream boat shoe features bright red laces, while artist Richard Saja took an unconventional approach with the other pattern, the Marie Antoinette-esque 1700s print generally reserved for pillows and curtains.

Keds has just released the newest addition to its Century line, the men’s “Call of Duty” shoe. Inspired by 1940s military sneakers, they come in muted olive, gray and a deep charcoal with leather laces. Retailing for $55, the canvas Keds will be available exclusively on the brand’s site. The subdued design of the shoe reflects a period of mobilization and patriotism for the war effort (they’ll certainly go well with the utilitarian, militaristic looks from the Spring runways). Who knew sneakers could lead to a history lesson?

To celebrate its collaboration with The Whitney Museum, Keds has released a a conceptual sneaker from artist Jenny Holzer. Keds has gone all sorts of collab-crazy in the past few months, with limited-editions of the plain Jane slip on from Alice + Olivia and an ever-continuing “Centuries” line that’s been cycling through the decades. The Jenny Holzer shoe, featuring the words “Protect me from what I want” (a comment on consumerism, perhaps?), aligns with Keds’ sponsorship of The Whitney exhibit Christian Marclay: Festival, as well as a summer concert line on Fridays highlighting experimental music. Throw on these avant garde kicks, and you’re sure to fit in with the prog rock scene.

We did just write about Keds—but these sneakers are so fabulous we have to write about it again. For those that long for the comfort of their old playground shoes but prefer their footwear with more than a dash of disco, skip the platforms and head for these sparkly slip-ons, designed by Alice + Olivia founder Stacey Bendet.

Now that we’re finally crossing over into summer, it’s time to break out lightweight, comfortable sneakers for long days of walking through hot city streets. Outdoorsy company Tretorn has teamed up with two rather different brands—J Crew and Comme des Garcons—to bring out two different lines of mens and womens sneakers. Meanwhile, the ultimate casual sneaker company, Keds, is churning out a style inspired by different decades each month.