A Confederacy of Duckie Brown’s Florsheim
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A mainstay brand of many an American dad’s shoe rack, Florsheim is making a bid for a new generation via New York design outfit Duckie Brown. Your father might recognize Florsheim by Duckie Brown’s classic styles -- wing tips, French-toe brogues and loafers -- but this time they’re rendered in eye-popping colors including purple and electric blue.
For years, the American shoe brand had a store in nearly every mall. This time around, though, it’s going the exclusive route, offering a preview of its new look in just one shop. Starting Thursday, Confederacy will stock the fall collection and next year’s spring collection, which will be available for pre-order until the collaboration goes nationwide Aug. 1.
Fifth-generation Florsheims Tom and John, who bought the trademark back in 2002 after 50 years of outside ownership, learned in a New Yorker article that Duckie Brown designers Daniel Silver and Steven Cox were pairing the line’s retro-minded suits with Florsheim shoes. The Florsheims enlisted the duo to punch up the brand after realizing that stylish young men were hankering for a more mature look and rediscovering classic American brands.
Florsheim by Duckie Brown encompasses nine traditional footwear styles: wing tips (with and without laces), plain toe, studded and saddle shoes (all $295) plus loafers ($175), brogues ($395) and boots both in brogue form ($425 and up) and a World War II-era ‘patriot’ style ($495) in red, white and blue.
For purists or old school dads, Florsheim by Duckie Brown footwear is still available in black and brown. The line kicks off with an event Thursday hosted by Confederacy owners Ilaria Urbinati and Danny Masterson along with designers Silver and Cox from 7 to 10 p.m. RSVP is required (rsvp@shopconfederacy.com).
4661 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 913-3040. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. www.shopconfederacy.com
-- Max Padilla
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