We like Fred.
LizzieX
I love how Converse have produced a seasonal collection honouring art and music that has changed the world. However Kickers was also adopted by the music industry especially when the brand was first born in the 70's. Kickers needs to revive this adoption. But maybe 'cool' artwork is also a root for the brand? Street artists definitly comes to mind.
Carmela X
I thought that these three shoes although they are not the best 'looking' shoes around, are a new side of creativity for the Kickers brand and is showing they are moving forwards. Could this be the season Kickers start to move away from the 'school shoe look'?
Sarah x
Here is a look between an ongoing collection between Dr Martens and Belgium designer Raf Simons. The collection is a mix of classic and new styles with some very profound designs from Raf.....
Dr Marten have enjoyed some kind of a new threshold on the market. Recent projects have sensed a new direction for the brand after having established themselves amongst the punk scene. 
Spring/Summer 2010 is set to be another pivotal collection between these two very influential names.
What will 2010 see for Kicker's 40th Anniversary?
Carmela x
When you look for something you notice it everywhere, ads for Lanvin, JCDC catwalk shows, watches, cameras, walls............. Kickers.
The picture isn't of its best quality, as I was doing this very slyly with many staff behind me. However it shows a simply dressing table display with 3 boots and 2 advertisments about the boots.
The boots and collaboration were pretty simple, and I believe this is something Kickers could look at taking onboard and copying the simple idea to create a different brand awareness amongst consumers.
Sarah x
This collaboration is another example where a shoe brand is joining forces with a luxury brand. With regards to Kickers they could begin to think about their desired target audience by considering potential high fashion brands to collaborate with which will give a more mature and innovative consumer.
Lizzie X
Stella McCartney and Adidas launched their collaboration back in 2005 and since has been very successful with the collaboration constantly growing in size and products. As Stella stated she wanted 'to offer women sports clothing they could work out in and still feel good about the way they look'.
This is very similar to Alexander McQueen and Puma. Alexander McQueen wanted to create a concept of 'Power' as the DNA to the collection. 'Physical and mental power exist at the very of sport, and the collection strives to interpret and convey it in innovative and unexpected ways.' Bringing essence of the designer to the brand through referenced style, colour and material applications.
These two sports brans show how trainers were once boring, sport minded shoes, but with these collaborations are shown to be fashion conscious where style and practicality are accounted for. Where three collaborations have worked successfully, this is defiantly something Kickers should consider, to help change their brand image. Showing they are still a practical, well worn, comfortable shoe but have a fashion focus and are 'cool' to wear.
Sarah x
This is what she had to say of the photo:
"Kicker shoes were responsible for so many arguments in shoe shops with my mother when I was a small kid. They made your legs look like tree trunks but every cool girl wanted them, if you didn't have the rubber tag hanging off your school footwear you might as well have stayed at home. Jarvis Cocker is clearly a cool kid then. He does well on the lack of tree trunk legs, though I'd pay to see him wearing them at the same time as a school skirt with the waistband rolled up."
Visit Helen's Site for more popstars feet: http://www.popstarfeets.co.uk
Lisa X
The Manchester Scene.
Heritage Influence.
The Kick Hi boot was released in 1975. It was the late 80’s scene, first with acid house and then later with trance music. Over the years Kickers has been associated with the music industry, including Ms Dynamite, So Solid Crew, Jarvis Cocker, Noel Gallagher, Mike Skinner, Arctic Monkeys, Craig David and Rodney P. The heritage element of Kickers is the vocal point of the brand which enables them to reconnect with consumers on the music scene. Nevertheless the brand should also consider a contemporary influence on the music scene as well as adopting more innovative collaborations for the older consumer.
Lizzie X
