Attention forest-dwelling hipsters: Bon Iver mastermind Justin Vernon has teamed up with Los Angeles shoemakers Keep for a limited-edition sneaker that will go on sale in October. Proceeds from the kicks, designed by the bearded indie-rock hero, will partially benefit the Best Friends Animal Society, a safe haven for abused and abandoned pets.
As you might expect, Vernon’s footwear evokes a très woodsy feel. The fishy tan-and-black shoes “feature herringbone accents, a black fishbone detail across the toe and a canvas upper custom dyed to a perfect pale salmon,” according to Keep’s pre-order site. Not surprisingly, Best Friends’ feline population is enamored.
Vernon may create sleepy tunes with his Grammy-winning folk outfit, but the 31-year-old Wisconsin native is apparently a ball of energy offstage. In addition to his new career in fashion, Vernon has collaborated with rapper Kanye West and participated in a full-length workout video since debuting with his For Emma, Forever Ago LP in 2007.
The Keep + Bon Iver shoes cost $75 per pair and are available in 18 different sizes. The pre-sale for the sneakers began Monday and will continue through Sunday, July 1, but they won’t ship until October, when they’ll also be available in select retailers around the world.
Vernon isn’t the first indie star to lace up with Keep for charity. Last year, psychedelic rock trio Animal Collective released a whole line of footwear, also inspired by the sea, as a benefit for the Socorro Island (Mexico) Conservation Fund.
angela aww tht scks =( August 11th, 2012 at 9:25 PM