Founded in 1928, the Cole Haan brand carries a lot of heritage and craftsmanship in one package. Named after its founders, Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan, the brand was originally known for its men’s footwear line — tops in comfort and wearability; but has evolved to also mean quality, street-sensible ladies shoes, apparel for both genders, scarves, gloves, bags and accessories. A wholly owned subsidiary of Nike, it was only a matter of time before this curious fact would result in a collaboration that’s altogether revolutionary. For this year, it’s the Lunar Grand line.
In terms of shoe design, the challenge was to create classic dress shoes that move and function with modernity and innovation. Utilizing Nike’s ultra-lightweight Lunarlon cushioning system, and marrying this to Cole Haan’s traditional shoe construction techniques, the first wave of Lunar Grand shoes is a classic suede wingtip that takes on the streets of NYC via its unique Lunarlon sole. A partial lining gives the shoe a clean, deconstructed feel when worn, there’s midsole cushioning, and the outsole boasts of a micro-diamond tread for texture, and a rubber toe for traction and adaptability to different surfaces. It also comes in Chukka boots, and there is a ladies version.
To make the classic wingtips have a funky, modern look, the twist comes in the contrasting colors of the soles and laces. I especially liked the chocolate brown suede offset against the orange sole, and the gray suede sitting on a yellow green sole. But the real test of the shoe is the wearing of them and walking around; and for this, all I can say is you really have to don a pair and be astounded as they create the illusion of floating, of barely setting your foot down on any hard surface. The Lunarlon cushioning truly works, bestowing this classic wingtip a revolutionary dimension. Believe me, your feet will “swoosh” to this collaboration!
Rediscovering the Shu
My late mother was a great believer in the products of Japanese makeup artist Shu Uemura. She loved the cleansing oil and the eyelash curlers. While his reputation shot up after the 1962 film My Geisha, starring Shirley MacLaine, his return to Japan a few years after, opening his academy, and fully developing his line of cosmetics to include skin care, false eyelashes, fragrances and other related beauty products, turned his name into a high-end fashion brand. It carried such an enviable equity that L’Oréal acquired the brand in 2004, yet maintaining the master as the brand’s creative force (until his death in 2007).
A specially prepared Japanese dinner at Umu in Dusit Thani Manila signaled the 2012 launch of the Karl Lagerfeld collaboration with Shu, Karl’s Mon Shu line. Working with Shu’s artistic director, Kakuyasu Uchide, the line is a heady collaboration of European sophistication meeting Japanese manga!
For over 20 years, Lagerfeld enjoyed a friendship with Shu Uemura, so it was only logical that this season’s partnership would happen. The collaboration’s mascot is Mon Shu, pure Lagerfeld given an Oriental twist — with white shirt, black tie, Oriental hair and makeup and red eyes! There’s even a new, improved version of the cleansing oil that’s specifically attached to this Lagerfeld limited edition line.
During his time, Shu Uemura always sustained his mission that the health of the customer’s skin would be the most important aspect of his cosmetics line and products. It’s great to see that vision being perpetuated, with L’Oréal carrying on the tradition.
The dinner also served as an opportunity for Luc Marquet, friend and country head/managing director of L’Oréal in the Philippines, to announce he would be vacating the post, and would be replaced by Rowel Vijandre. While sad to see Luc leave the country, it was nice to see Paris appoint a Filipino to now occupy the post! Having worked for other multinationals, both here and in countries such as Vietnam, there’s a wealth of experience Rowel brings to the post, and we can only wish him the very best as he takes on this new challenge.