Anthony Alvarez’s BLUEMARBLE is quickly becoming a hit name on the Paris Fashion Week calendar — take a look at the designer’s Fall/Winter 2023 show here if you need a reminder. His work is one that blends cultural references like skateboarding, surfing, punk, and Y2K undertones with a certain je ne sais quoi, and this now comes to fruition in the House’s new sneaker, dubbed “Kellys.”Taking its name from the champion surfer Kelly Slater — who was awarded World Surf League champion a record 11 times — the sneaker draws heavily from the world of board sports, such as surfing and skating. As a result, we find an upper crafted from distressed cotton twill, implying that the Kellys have been well-loved and used for their intended purpose.Flame motifs, curvaceous in their nature, are a frequent reference in BLUEMARBLE’s collections. Naturally, the wavy lines appear on the shoe as well, wrapping around the uppers alongside a unique lace system that goes all around. That’s thanks to a number of additional eyelets hitting up the mids and collar, allowing the laces to tie at the rear for another board sport-indebted touch.Complementing the pair is a gum sole unit and a grippy crepe sole, while a signature metal branded plaque has been added as a dubrae, rounding out the sneaker. Speaking on the project, Alvarez said:”Kelly Slater was one of my idols growing up, and it felt fitting to channel my love of board sports into the first BLUEMARBLE sneakers. I wanted to develop a design that would enhance our men’s wear and be embraced by our community. These Kellys are just the beginning.”BLUEMARBLE’s “Kellys” sneaker is available to pre-order online now for €280 EUR (approx. $300 USD). Take a closer look at the pair above.In case you missed it, here’s a closer look at the Balenciaga Point Toe clogs.Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast
