As we exclusively revealed on the cover of Issue 23, the Cole Haan LunarGrand Wingtip is now ready for its long awaited debut. It’s always a trip to see the paper pages of Sneaker Freaker being blogged and equally affirming to know that print media can stay one step ahead of the digital game!
Hybrid footwear designs are generally the result of a random process that produces fewer hits than misses, but there’s no doubting the relaxed fluidity of this mashup, not to mention the logic of its origins from any perspective. It makes sense. More importantly, the LunarGrand just looks righteous from all angles. It’s lightweight and the conservative colours with a splash of flash seem perfectly weighted to snap necks, albeit gently, further evidence of a refreshing subtlety at work.
It’s worth noting that Cole Haan’s designers have cleverly found a way to adopt Nike’s Lunar-tech in a seamless transition. On that note, some kids might also be surprised that Cole Haan and Nike would join forces, but given the ownership situation, this is more of a sharing of Intellectual Property, not to mention the crossover of staff with grand ideas. We also have to point out that this isn’t a ‘collaboration’ in any sense of the word either – this is definitely Cole Haan’s deal.
Whilst ‘sport’ has been on the backburner for some time as far as driving street style, perhaps the LunarGrand’s legacy will mark a time when neo-classicism and premature grown-up-ness tilted slightly back in favor of athleticism and dare we say it, a sense of youthful fun. It’ll certainly be interesting to see how all of this evolves and what comes next.
February 10 is the release date, though you’ll have to be physically present at the Cole Haan store in NYC to park a pair in your closet. There’s five color ways and the price on these is $248.
Cole Haan SoHo, 128 Prince Street, New York from Friday February 10th, 2012. Tel. 212 219 8240
Read our Exclusive Interview with Phil Russo, VP of Design at Cole Haan.
***
FROM THE PRESS RELEASE
QUANTUM STEPS: Cole Haan presents The LunarGrand Wingtip
On Friday, February 10th, the much-anticipated Cole Haan LunarGrand wingtip launches exclusively at Cole Haan SoHo. Engineered to conquer the streets of New York City, the LunarGrand is a unique fusion of timeless design and modern innovation. Incorporating Nike’s innovative ultra-lightweight Lunarlon cushioning system into Cole Haan’s traditional construction techniques, the LunarGrand achieves unrivaled feel, flexibility and movement—redefining how classic dress shoes can move and function in modern urban environments.
“The LunarGrand came from our perpetual obsession with making our products better,” says Phil Russo, Cole Haan’s VP of Design. “When you understand what people are doing in their shoes today, their expectations of style and demands of functionality, you can create products that really do make a difference as people go about their everyday lives.
Through considered and specific engineering, the Cole Haan LunarGrand emerges as a unique product that challenges preconceptions of how dress shoes can adapt. “The goal of the design process was to create a wingtip to take on the streets of New York City—a shoe that utilized motion-enhancing innovations at the same time as retaining its authentic and timeless aesthetic,” said Russo.
The immediate reaction when wearing the shoe is to its lightweight and flexible motion enhancing properties. A well-fitted heel, which better secures the shoe on the foot, as well as a wider forefoot and slimmer rounded toe, allow for more natural, ergonomic foot movement. A partial lining lends a clean, deconstructed feel and keeps the shoe significantly light. Lunarlon cushioning technology in the mid-sole is encased within an outsole featuring micro-diamond tread textures and rubber toe pods to maximize traction and adaptability to unforgiving concrete streets – a competitive advantage in the city that never sleeps.
Built on a classic Cole Haan last with a leather welt detail and crafted in premium suede uppers, the LunarGrand gracefully retains its iconic wingtip silhouette. Available in five color ways, the men’s Cole Haan LunarGrand ($248) is available from Cole Haan SoHo, 128 Prince Street, New York from Friday February 10th, 2012. Tel. 212 219 8240
Photos : Marcus Gaab
Back to results
