CONVERSE has debuted its new Holiday 2012 All Star Footwear Collections. New Jack Purcells and Chuck Taylors for both men and women (and kids) will be gracing the shelves this month with materials and designs that are a bit more sophisticated, preppy and modern. And they are offering free ground shipping through the holidays!
Embracing the upcoming season with winterized elements, Converse highlights its heritage with new materials such as speckled wool, sequined wool, herringbone, waxed suede, twill, soft suede boots lined with shearling, tough leather with stitching and more. They also have several new selections for children. I've chosen a few of my personal favorites to share with you. Please note that all of the styles below are available in multiple colors.
Jack Purcell Wool:
The Converse Jack Purcell Wool collection’s sophisticated, seasonal, and contemporary style is made specifically for the holidays. The collection features a premium washed wool outer and low-profile silhouette. In a reference to the sportswear lifestyle heritage, the Jack Purcell Wool collection perfectly combines a modern touch with classic appeal that can be worn with or without laces. Suggested Retail Price: $75
Chuck Taylor All Star Twill:
The iconic Chuck Taylor All Star is dressed in its very best for the holiday season. The women’s only Chuck Taylor All Star Twill features a speckled twill material and satin lining. Suggested Retail Price $55
Chuck Taylor All Star Herringbone:
The Chuck Taylor All Star Herringbone offers a preppy, uptown spin on the classic style. Available for both me and women, the updated style consists of wool blend herringbone and twill perfect for the complete winterized look. Suggested Retail Price $55-$60
Chuck Taylor All Star Speckled:
The Chuck Taylor All Star Speckled brings a younger outdoor rugged look to the classic silhouette featuring a twotone speckled wool material, Converse heel patch, and pop of color rubber lining. Suggest Retail Price $55-$60
Chuck Taylor All Star Beverly Lace Up: 
Updated for Holiday 2012, the new Chuck Taylor All Star Beverly Lace Up boot brings a fun, youthful spin on the classic winter boot. Details such as the shearling lining, thick laces and larger eyelets exudes Converse’s winterized theme. Suggested Retail Price $70-$75
Chuck Taylor All Star Elsie:
This women’s Holiday 2012 Chuck Taylor All Star Elsie features an updated sawtooth rubber outsole and tweed upper suede overlay, adding a feminine aesthetic to the classic workwear boot that is perfect for the winter season. Suggested Retail Price $70-$75
Chuck Taylor All Star Classic Boot:
The Chuck Taylor All Star Classic Boot returns with a unique sawtooth outsole, rubber heel patch and boot laces providing a pop of color. Updated for Holiday 2012, the Chuck Taylor All Star Classic Boot will be a go-to shoe with a modern-day twist perfect for the holiday season. Suggested Retail Price $80
Chuck Taylor All Star Glitz:
The Chuck Taylor All Star Glitz collection arrives just in time for the Holiday season, providing understated glamour with just the right amount of flash. Featuring a sequined wool upper, leather binding on the toe cap and a satin finish lining, these sequin-covered sneaker deliver a muted shine with the perfect touch of sparkle. Suggested Retail Price: $100
Chuck Taylor All Star Post:
The Chuck Taylor All Star Post recondition the classic 1970’s trainer with sleek, premium silhouettes and updated heather wool uppers, waxed suede and natural leather; perfect for rugged weather this Holiday season. Suggested Retail Price: $125
The new Holiday 2012 Chuck Taylor All Star Collection and Jack Purcell Premium styles will be available online at Converse and in select department stores and retailers beginning November 2012.
Free ground shipping through the holidays at Converse.com
New Converse Holiday Collection For Men and Women Steps It Up With Twill, Waxed Leather, Suede, Shearling, Wool and Sequins.
The 2012 Winner and Visionary Award Finalists from London's Alternative Hair Show.
above: This year's winner of the Alternative Hair Visionary Award
2012 marks the 30th anniversary of Alternative Hair, during which time many of the world’s greatest hairdressers and hairdressing teams have appeared across the globe at Alternative Hair events in the UK, USA, Austria, Korea, Italy and Russia.
The 2012 Alternative Hair Show was held on Sunday 14th October, 30 years after the first Alternative Hair Show was held at London’s Camden Palace and adding funds to the £8.5 Million already raised in support of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.
The vision of Alternative Hair is to recognize and honor creative talent as well as recognizing the future stars of tomorrow. The Visionary Award, has developed from the original concept of Alternative Hair President Anthony Mascolo, and has become an increasingly popular addition to the show. Now an international competition, this year the Visionary Award semi-finals will be held at the World Championships in Milan.
Here's a look at the 2012 Visionary Award Winner and all the finalists. (to see images from the show's presentation, LEGENDS, go here)
This year's Winner Helen Reavey's work graces the cover of the October/November 2012 issue of Irish Hairdresser Magazine :
in the London show:
The 2012 Visionary Award Finalists in alphabetical order:
Anthony Kilcoyne, (3rd place of VA Ireland):
Ceri Cushen, UK:
Cristiano Leuzzi, Italy:
Emmanuel Esteban, UK:
Evequoz Francois, Switzerland:
Deiter Ferschinger, Austria:
Freda Rossidis, Australia:
Joe Yves-Asmar, Sweden:
Koczka, Hungary:
Lina Shamoun, Canada:
Mauro Santurro, Italy:
Michelle McDermott, 2nd place in VA Ireland):
Misha Cadkova, Czech Republic:
Olexander Gryshko, Ukraine:
Olga Provotorova, Russia:
Pawel Babicz, Poland:
Pino Troncone, Italy:
Robert Masciave, UK:
Roger Persson, Sweden:
Ruslana Moroz, Ukraine:
Tom Connell, UK:
Tony DeLiddo, Italy:
Why Alternative Hair exists:
In 1983 Tony and Maggie Rizzo lost their small son Valentino to Leukaemia. To keep the memory of Valentino alive and try and make a change: to improve the chances of a child surviving this terrible disease, Tony organised a ‘one off’ charity show. The immediate popularity of the Show meant he just had to do a show the following year and 30 years on the following within the hairdressing industry remains strong.
Alternative Hair Show links creativity with charity and is everlastingly dedicated to the hairdressers and to supporting the life saving work of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.
The Alternative Hair Shows have raised an astonishing £8.5 million thus far for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research in the UK and for leukaemia charities worldwide.
This vital work continues with the establishment of The Alternative’s very own charity, The Alternative Hair Charitable Foundation.
Buy This Cool Belt and Help Others Loosen Theirs. The Mission Belt Co. Donates To The Hungry.
Buy a belt, feed a family. That's the concept behind The Mission Belt, a company that donates a dollar for every one of their stylish leather belts sold, wholesale and retail, to help hungry families worldwide become self-sufficient.
The Mission Belt is simple, clean and unisex. Made of supple and smooth top grain double-stitched leather, they are available in three colors and with three sizes, provide a perfect fit for everyone. With no holes to stretch or wear over time (the belt buckle functions much like a seatbelt on an airplane) it always looks great on either men or women. It can be dressed up or dressed down. Not only is it the best belt ever manufactured, it's comfortably priced at $34.99 as well.
The tip of the belt inserts into the buckle, where a locking mechanism holds the belt in place from the back. To remove the belt, just press the small metal lever on the bottom of the buckle, and the belt slides out of the buckle.
On the back of the belt is a series of small, hard rubber wedges that have been carefully sewn into the leather of the belt:
There’s a metal piece on the back of the belt buckle that lodges against the wedges as you pull the belt to the correct fit. Then, it locks into place.
Black:
Alpine White:
Chocolate:
From their site:
The Philosophy: If you give a man a fish he eats for a day. If you teach a man to fish he can eat everyday. That sums up our philosophy and it works. Some of the core concepts behind our fight against global hunger and poverty are;
Sustainability & Self-reliance: That is the goal behind every dollar deployed. Our “Mission” is for families to continue to thrive after support ends.
Nutrition & Income: We work with organizations that help families reap the rewards of their animals and crops through consumption and sale of excess production.
Improved Management: This means that the projects we invest in focus on teaching families how to better manage their livestock and crops to keep them safe and productive.
Order your Mission Belt here.
