I have longed for a pair of regular shaped Vans- I made the mistake of only buying two pairs of Vans when on holiday in America. A black suede pair of high-tops more suited for skating and a pair of brown leather brogues. I always seem to underestimate the value of the traditional and classic colours of shoes such as black converse Chucks or a pair of blue Vans. The moral of the story is that I should learn to swear by the classics of shoe brands and styles. I really like the velvet vans as a part of Jesse Jo Stark’s collaboration with the skate shoe company Vans and the velvet shades of the colours red, green and blue. Velvet seems to soak up the lighting rather than shine and I like that difference about it.
I like the cute and round cut of the toe of the shoe in contrast with the moody and dark blue of the velvet. It’s not that often you see casual shoes incorporate the material into their design so I felt really in awe of the simple combination of the round almost ballet flat vans and moody and brooding velvet.The dark blue velvet also worn with the matching blue velvet dress worn with Jesse Jo’s dress in the photo shoot and her leopard print beanie and eyeliner is the perfect indie and seminal punk look. Since I’ve killed a few pairs of ballet flats in my high school years the thing I look for most is versatility with a few different outfits and these vans can be the edgy look to a sweet outfit with a skirt but they can also be worn with jeans if you’d want to look more casual.
I feel so confident and free when I wear my Vans, the grip on the shoes and the support and structure is something I swear by. If I’m late for the bus or train and I need to stampede down the street then I know my pair of brown leather Sofia Vans won’t let me down or slip off. I imagine it would take a lot of wear and outings to properly destroy a pair of Vans although I may be wrong since I’ve had them for a year but I had been in school uniform for a while. If I had been lucky enough to get a job at General Pants Co maybe it would be acceptable to wear a pair of Vans to work without having to swap shoes. Oh well, I am lucky to be employed this Christmas and I should take it for what it’s worth.
My only lament about Vans is that not all the colours and styles can be available from one shop or from online so it is hard to know the biggest, best and most boisterous of their current styles available. In Australia the collaboration with Jesse Jo may not be as big but I am a fan and would love to buy a pair of velvet Vans in either blue or a dusty faded black. Her style has intrigue and she is a bit of a mystery herself. Known as a party girl, smoking and wild colours streaked from the tops of her bangs I style admire Jesse Jo Stark’s wild spirit and would love to own part of her collection (if I had the funds).
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As more and more ideas are regurgitated, reused and recycled throughout the fashion world it seems that the only thing left to fabricate is the extraordinary such as these platform sneakers. I can't imagine any person trying to run in these and as a sculptural piece they are quite something but in the real world and outside science fiction and fantasy- who owns and wears something as extravagant as these Moonspoon Saloon X Buffalo Platform sneakers? I had a memory lapse in which I forgot the brand of these great shoes but since I have finally remembered I figured I may as well share them with my brilliant readers.
I haven't seen a great variation in design for these collaboration pieces, about five of six different patterns on a dark grey/ brown background but I suppose you don't need to over sell these bad boys when their stature and structure speak for themselves really. I can't imagine myself every sporting one of these, never have I been self-conscious about my height and for an added boost I have a few pairs of heels up my metaphorical sleeve. 
I have to admit though despite not having a strong attraction for their design, the ingenuity of the design is great and they would be a wonderful piece to work with in terms of putting together a photo shoot as seen above. There's a subtle chameleon affect from the continuation of the orange in the top and wickedly delightful fringed pants as well as the grey common in the design of the pants and shoes. I really wish I knew the wonderful brand which belongs to the pants, although you could probably slap together a pair for yourself if you raided your local craft shop for spandex and finishing threaded loops.
My favourite colour variation and design for the Moonspoon Saloon collaboration with Buffalo is the above pair in pink with hot pink laces and a washed out/ detergent effect. It reminds me a lot of acid wash jeans but in a new and exciting shade stretched over a pair of shoes which look like they should be worn for medical reasons. If you so desire, you can buy yourself a pair for a little over $400 here at Solestruck.
For those of us that believe space is the place, or if you just like the use of symbols which look like they've been spray painted on, look no further than these Moonspoon X Buffalo Platform sneakers! The fluorescent green shoelaces are very worthy and called for as the finishing touch of these radical shoes. I can imagine them being worn with some large golden hoop earrings, maybe a silk scarf worn tied up around the forehead, a large bomber jacket in a colourful vintage print (think old Versace) and some leather leggings.
I'm seeing a bit of a paint spattered effect being popular for the variations of these shoes and I think they could be worn with a lot of a sass of a girl who could be very well seeing a graffiti artist. Even if those who do wear them don't necessarily fit my little ideal notion I do hope however chooses to wear these nose-bleed inducing shoes is blesses with grace and poise.
The shoes seem very 90s inspired with their grunge and punk aesthetic as well as the increasing popularity of creepers and also platform Converse on the market. Even long before this collaboration between Moonspoon saloon and Buffalo, Baby Spice of the Spice Girls was rocking a pair of platform sneakers. Maybe we'll be seeing great big British Union Jack flags also incorporated into design and something else flamboyant and belonging to a long deceased pop group... one can only dream and wonder.
