Hip Checks

Opening Ceremony teams up with Tretorn

September 19, 2007—Swedish labels' time to shine at Opening Ceremony—as you probably know, the shop pits American designers against those from a foreign country every season—may have ended last month, but at least one brand is sticking around a bit longer. Co-owners Carol Lim and Humberto Leon have teamed up with Tretorn to do an exclusive collection of sneakers for fall. The duo based the shape on a vintage Tretorn design from the fifties, streamlining the profile slightly to give them a more contemporary feel. As for the plaid pattern, it's inspired by "alternative kids in prep schools," Leon says. "A monochromatic gray or camel outfit with a plaid shoe is pretty cool." (In other words, probably best not to sport a pair with that new Prince of Wales check suit.) Look for them next month at Opening Ceremony's New York and L.A. outposts.

Loyal readers will recall we included a pair of plaid Adidas sneakers in one of our Fall 2007 Trend Reports, and it turns out even more check kicks are on their way. As part of his Spring 2008 collection, New York designer Yigal Azrouël recently unveiled a black-and-white gingham sneaker for K-Swiss, while New Balance is slated to launch its own plaid footwear series in December. Each of three styles will have the name of a different Maine or Massachusetts city printed on the outside (and a picture of the respective town's factory is heat-stamped on the insert). As a New Balance rep says, "Plaid is a constant in the New England wardrobe." Reminds us of what they used to say about Patriots gear.

Tretorn for Opening Ceremony sneakers, $80, available in October from Opening Ceremony, 35 Howard St., NYC, (212) 219-2688 or 451 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A., (310) 652-1120, openingceremony.us; Yigal Azrouël + K-Swiss shoes, $90–$125, available Spring 2008 at Yigal Azrouël, 408 W.14 St., NYC, (212) 929-7525, yigal-azrouel.com; New Balance, $150, available in December from retailers nationwide, newbalance.com