Sorry boys, but Vans has a new line of women’s kicks that are designed by artists. This wearable artwork includes different styles from three artists - and more to come. The first shoe of the series was done by Keren Richter that launced on Sunday and it looks awesome! So cute!

It had a really big response and she is already working on a second design. Retail stores are expecting to be sold out by the end of the week. Keren will be touring Nordstrom stores with her shoes and doing signings of her work. Another artist, Kim Buzzelli, is going to be next to design a pair of Vans.

This weekend I had the chance to spend some time in Portland, OR’s wonderful Hawthorne District, which is like a cleaner, better, all-around more awesome version of San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury. After grabbing some pizza at Vincente’s, which besides just having badass pie also serves Pabst 40s (FUCK YES), I cruised into a little boutique called Local35, which looked like it was going to be overpriced as f. The Portlandite accompanying me even warned me that the place was out of my rather meager price range, but maybe it was my lucky day: not only was there the sale of all sales happening at Local35, but the staff people were anything but the pretentious uber-hipsters I’d come to expect at similar stores in SF and elsewhere. They were totally down to earth, rad people, willing to chop it up even with a dude in scuffed Adidas and cheap denim. I had my eye on a pair of Celtic green Paul Cousy PF Flyers I had seen in the window, and lo and behold: the floor model, one of only a couple pairs left, was actually in my size (which seriously never happens) and the shoes were 35% off to boot (no pun intended). I walked out of Local35 with some new kicks, as well as a Cheap Monday shirt and a Gentle Fawn sweater for my lady, all for well under $100. Next time you’re bored in the PDX, definitely check out Local35. You’ll be glad you did.

Last week I brought you the news in shoes RE: Feit’s luxury sneakers

This week, I bring you something old skool…

Nike Dunk SB Mid Guns N Roses November Rain:

Inspired by the “November Rain” song by Guns N Roses, this shoe was released in November ‘07. It’s even got the girl in the coffin from the music vid on the insole. So I’m a little late, but thought you might enjoy it - they’re still ill.