shoes

Inspired by the desire to travel, Paris and fashion combined with functionality, a new range of women’s shoes by Japan’s Asics Corp. has had a unique evolutionary process. From concept to completion, the project was entirely in the hands of an all-female team within a firm that is — like most in Japan — dominated by men.

Trend de la Creme points us to these totally bonkers geisha girl platforms created by Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei. The Beijing-based couturier is known for her style nods to Christian Dior and Alexander McQueen, and these skyscraper shoes are no exception. This embellished update of the traditional geta appeared on models walking the runway in her fall/winter 2010 collection.

Shoe stores frown and apologize, Japanese restaurant staff people almost laugh at the notion I expected them to have a slipper to accommodate me.

Hollywood heart-throb Leonardo DiCaprio snubbed a group of Japanese fans during a recent trip to Japan and they extracted revenge on the star by stealing his shoes.

A snazzy sneaker with asymmetric soles is sweeping Japan, casting a spell on millions of youngsters with the catchy boast of helping them run faster.

"After I started wearing them, I was picked for the relay team," says four-year-old Kohei, showing off his pair of red-lined silver Syunsokus, which mean "Nimble Feet" in English.