Vein Wear - New International Airmail Option

(Picture adapted from http://iuoma-network.ning.com/)

International Airmail for all shoes purchased online at veinwear.com is now just AU$20.00. What a bargain.

It costs a lot to run my own delivery plane. It might be old, but she'll get there in 5-10 working days. Quicker to NZ. Boy is she thirsty for fuel.

There's tracking also. You just call the pilot on his satellite phone and tell him where is a good place to land ;)

All jokes aside, my non-Aussie friends, this means you can get a pair of original Australian-designer shoes where ever you are on the globe.

Buffed Tan Unorthodox Brogue Boots Released

Released into store and online today are the Unorthodox Brogue Ankle Boots in Buffed Tan (V3B-1 A10 Tan Buff). The toe and heel have been hand buffed to give a vintage uneven feel to the shoes.

Follow the lines of this curved body. Features double zip entry and an interesting design of unorthodox brogues.

Soft and thick leather upper matched with padded full leather lining. The lining is neutral and non-allergenic.

The sole is rubber with a laser-cut silver foil.

Get a pair for yourself now at veinwear.com.

Black Unorthodox Brogue Boots Re-Made

The Black Unorthodox Brogue Boots (V3B-1 Blk) have been re-made due to popular demand. We made another 12 pairs. If you missed out the first time, get onto veinwear.com, or pop into the Brisbane Vein Store now and get a pair.

Remember, I don't send out Insider emails for re-makes...only new style releases.

What's the Future for Fashion Magazines?

Ok, so most folks I know can't get a decent return on investment out of magazine advertising. Every one knows that readers screen out most ads and find them annoying. Advertising is weak. But those that do pay for advertising kindly subsidise the magazine to leave the editors free to create awesome independent opinions and creatives.

So the new Mecca for everyone was PR. Public Relations. Hire a PR firm to leverage their exclusive relationships with the creme of magazine editors and you'd get product placements and editorials. These carry a lot of weight because it's an independent editorial opinion, in fact the "content" of the magazine that readers are really paying for. And for the lucky brand featured it was a massive credible endorsement. So now everyone has a PR agent. And the magazines aren't getting enough advertising dollars to sustain them.

The result? Advertorial. Paid editorial. What used to be taboo, unethical is now standard practice. I'm scared so I won't mention names, but I receive offers (many in writing upfront) to pay for editorial. I can name very few magazines that don't do it.

This week I had a major Australian magazine flatly tell me that their stylists only shoot brands that pay to be in the magazine. They only do editorial on brands/stores that pay to be in the magazine. I'm sure it's not something they promote to their readers.

What does the future hold for magazines? Well it's pretty grim if they are selling out their only "product". The thing readers actually buy...remember the awesome independent opinions and creatives? What they are creating are 200 page advertisements, which we already know people avoid.

Little wonder unpaid independent bloggers are gaining influence.

Just so you know, when you have a look at Vein Wear's press, I don't pay for editorial directly or indirectly.

Shoe Fair Online

Shoe Fair Online Editor's Hot Pick is the Vein Wear Unorthodox Brogue Boots (V3B-1 Blk). That Editor must be right because they are currently all sold out. But they will be back in a week or two.

"These handsome brogue boots by Vein fit their name perfectly, blending traditional punch hole patterning and stitching with a sleek, urban, ankle-grabbing silhouette. Priced at $329, they're an instant wardrobe classic, defying anyone to claim that shoe-loving is always a girl thing."

Lure Magazine - Men's Footwear

By Joshua Roberto Scachari - Men's Resident Fashion Editor at Lure Magazine:

FOOTWEAR: Shoes make an outfit, so if you have a pair that dates back to your dad's youth it's probably time to get rid of them. If you're going for a more sophisticated look, I suggest leather. A nice point or semi-square toe always does the trick.

In this department you really pay for quality. Gianni Barbato is a winner for me, but if the price tag is a little steep try Vein Wear, which does a great quality shoe at a good price point. On the other hand, if you're going for a more casual look you can pick up some great shoes from Swear London. They have a large variety of sneakers shaped like a leather sole shoe, which keeps the look edgy and dressed up.

Academy For Men

The Academy For Men (magazine) has begun and is accepting enrollments forthwith. The first issue is out and you can read it online now or in print for keeps.

Flick to Page 72 and you'll stumble across a hot photographic editorial featuring a swathe of Vein Wear shoes. The latest releases of course (above) which you can knab for yourself now at veinwear.com.

The Academy's mission is to creat an innovative, multi-faceted, dynamic and technologically rich learning environment that provides every reader with a range of opportunities for success, self-discovery and leadership thus, making Academy for Men the best source of inspiration and education for lifestyle choices in Australia.

I like where their head's at ;)

Crocs Extinction Imminent

Jobs issues aside, is anyone sad to see this day?

...from the Washington Post:

Crocs were born of the economic boom.

The colorful foam clogs appeared in 2002, just as the country was recovering from a recession. Brash and bright, they were a cheap investment (about $30) that felt good and promised to last forever. Former president George W. Bush wore them. Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler wore them. Your grandma wore them. They roared along with the economy, mocked by the fashion world but selling 100 million pairs in seven years.

Then the boom times went bust, and Crocs went to the back of the closet.The company had expanded to meet demand, but financially pressed customers cut back. Last year the company lost $185.1 million, slashed roughly 2,000 jobs and scrambled to find money to pay down millions in debt. Now it’s stuck with a surplus of shoes, and its auditors have wondered if it can stay afloat. It has until the end of September to pay off its debt.

“The company’s toast,” said Damon Vickers, who manages an investment fund at Nine Points Capital Partners in Seattle. “They’re zombie-ish. They’re dead and they don’t know it.”

Vein Store - Top 6 Most Popular Retailers in the City

Congratulations to the Vein Store staff and thank you to our clients. Vein Store has been selected as a finalist in the Quest Business Achiever Awards 2009.

The top 6 most popular (as voted by members of the public) independent retailers in the city are placed as finalists. Vein Store is one of them! From here we compete in business surveys and mystery shopper reviews. I know the Vein Store staff will do our clients proud as we represent them in the finals.

Sydney Morning Herald: Men's fashion - think Bob the Builder

By Janice Breen Burns: "...the bones of a working, minimalist wardrobe, firmly anchored in winter 2009, but simple and practical enough to be relevant and fashionable well beyond it...Veinwear "V3B-1" ankle boot with double zip, leather upper and matched padded leather lining, rubber sole with laser-cut silver foil, $329, veinwear.com.au"

Full Article (http://tinyurl.com/lqzzyd):

Janice Breen BurnsJune 4, 2009

Simple, minimal, multi-functional men's wear is what you need.

A modern bloke's wardrobe should work like a box of lovingly picked and well-maintained tools. There isn't room, in these perturbing times, for rusty duds or iffy impulse buys of any kind. No wear-once fancy trousers or twice-if-you're-lucky puffy shirts. No. Think Bob the Builder and his sturdy, all-purpose, useful overalls when topping up your winter wardrobe. (Metaphorically, not literally, dill.) And, note "topping up" is a hint: most blokes worth their Aquila bootstraps and Diesel drop-crotches have already mustered the mechanical components of a moderately smashing winter wardrobe. (Let's recap, though, for those who haven't: stovepipe jeans, biker-style or bomber jacket, pea or duffle overcoat, thin-gauge long-sleeved knit, thick jumper or cardigan, checked shirt, salt-white shirt, assorted close-fitting fine-cotton T-shirts, swank aviator sunglasses, assorted scarves and beanies, one pair high-polished snub-toe lace-up dress shoes, one pair designer-style plimsolls, one pair ankle boots.)

Men's wear designers Tim and Alex Britten-Finschi are better qualified than most to suggest what comes next. The brothers (sons of fashion designer Linda Britten and interior designer Wayne Finschi and 21 and 23 respectively) have produced a tight and tiny collection of minimalist men's wear under the brand name From Britten. Their styling is sleek, their quality and finishes particularly fine (mum taught them everything they know), fabrics are invariably European or Japanese, cuts and fit are slim, but more "skim" than "skin-fit", and detailing is fusslessly modern.

In their current winter collection, the brothers have included a stovepipe blackwatch tartan trouser that is subtle enough to convert the most resistant bloke to patterned pants. (Yes!) A lined, velvet semi-tailored hip jacket in olive green is another extraordinary item that will happily convert - with its own matched fingerling bow tie - from a funky kind of formal wear to sleekly casual with the change of a shirt. And a buttery yellow and white striped cotton shirt, also with its own fingerling self-tie, puts a spanking new spin on "smart casual" dress codes.

Listed below are the bones of a working, minimalist wardrobe, firmly anchored in winter 2009, but simple and practical enough to be relevant and fashionable well beyond it.

From Britten, slim-leg, black check trousers with jean studs and metal button fastening, $225, white "S-hem" T-shirt with over sized pocket, $80, 9654 6295.

Versace aviator-style sunglasses, $340, at Sunglass Huts, 1800 556 926.

Farage, "Petersburg" coat in black herringbone, $995; "Toby" shirt in black gingham, $199; "Spencer" trouser, $325; and silk tie, $119, (02) 9212 4509.

Veinwear "V3B-1" ankle boot with double zip, leather upper and matched padded leather lining, rubber sole with laser-cut silver foil, $329, veinwear.com.au

Source: theage.com.au

Use My Mind - Vein Wear Photo Shoot

These are the photos from the awesome new shoot by Use My Mind featuring Vein Wear shoes.

• Concept and execution: Use My Mind Pty Ltd www.usemymind.com.au • Photographer: Dougal Oddie, Parallax Fotographix parallaxfotographix@gmail.com • Stylist: Jaala Mills, Use My Mind Pty Ltd www.usemymind.com.au • Hair and Make-up artist: Donna Keirouz donkeirouz@hotmail.com • Woman’s Clothing: Magdalena Duma www.magdalenaduma.com.au + stylist’s own • Men’s Clothing: Satch www.satch.com.au • Jewellery and accessories: Stylist’s own.

A soulful statement for winter

From the Tweed Border Mail:

VEIN’S new season styles not only complement your overall look, but ensure you make a smoking hot statement from head to toe.

The latest collection unveils something unique for the fashion savvy guy, designed to accompany any apparel day or night.A mixture of innovative design, high quality materials and supreme craftsmanship is what sets Vein shoes in a new league oftheir own.

The Laser cut laced ankle boots are the number one must-have style of the moment! Vein’s signature floral motif has been intricately etched into the side of the boot for a unique visual boost to this stand alone design. The toe of the boot has been left clean with strong lines that accentuate the almond shape toe.

Flip the shoe upside downand the same floral mark is imprinted on the resin sole. The Laced Ankle Boots come in two great wearable colours; the ever-fashionable matte black or mottled grey for a bolder statement. Each makes a totally different impact on your overall look.

The Laser cut laced ankle boot costs $269 RRP.

Check out the full range on www.veinwear.com or
call (07) 3357 4558 for enquiries.

(I've only got sizes 40 and 44 left in this style guys.)

Clarks Desert Boot Reinterpreted

The iconic 1950s men's design has been reinterpreted in screen-printed black leather. Orange stitching and lining add a new and distinctive twist to this lace-up ankle boot, while the signature Originals crepe sole remains. This style comes in a narrow fit so Clarks advise ordering half a size larger than normal. 75 pounds from Clarks.

First introduced in 1950, Clarks Originals are now international cult classics.

Championing authenticity, simplicity and comfort, they are the perfect combination of fashion and functionality; natural materials and handcrafted simplicity.

From the very first shoe, the Desert Boot, Clarks Originals continue to introduce one iconic style after the other. The 60s welcomed the Wallabee, the 70s discovered the Desert Trek, and the Lugger was introduced in the 1980s. Today’s Originals Twist range continues to appeal to those with their own unique sense of style – updating and evolving iconic designs.

Clarks Originals don’t belong to any particular era – each generation rediscovers them and makes them their own.