I pay attention to fashion trends. Folks that have read my book, SLIPSTREAM, have said that I go into "clothes descriptions" probably a little too much. That being said, at $350.00 a pair, this shoe by Adidas called the JS Roundhouse "handcuff" seems like the perfect accessory for the book
Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James.
They hit stores in August and people are getting pretty angry about the shoe, saying that it's racist because it promotes ideas of slavery. You should checkout the Facebook comments on the Adidas page.
Would you be upset to see kids wearing "slavewear"? It's going to happen. They'll probably be the most popular shoe around as boys strut about their high schools in their skinny jeans. I'm saying "boys" because I can't see a real broad appeal for girls in these shoes. But...I could be wrong :)
Opinions? Do you find them insensitive? If money were no issue, would you want your kid to wear these shoes or would you be offended by them?
Have a great Wednesday. I look forward to reading your comments.
The slavery thing didn't even occur to me. I assumed they were meant to imitate prison cuffs rather than slavery chains. Silly, whatever they are. I'm sure once the hipsters get hold of them nobody will think they're cool.
ReplyDeletemood
I think they're ugly. And I don't quite see the point. I guess to make a call on racism, we would all need to know who they are targeting with these...
ReplyDeleteRacist shoes? I'm sure some people just enjoy having something to be angry about.
ReplyDeleteThey're a little weird, but the way I see it, it's just another fad that will come and go, like all the others!
I'd complain more about the price before raising any racist claims. They may not have thought about where it was made and who made it. Fewer know that the founder of Adidas was in the Nazi party (different brand then). Having said that, that's quite the different shoe.
ReplyDeleteHuh. That's.... interesting. To be honest, I wouldn't be comfortable with my kid wearing that. I guess, yeah, it strikes me as insensitive. However, I can definitely see how people might wear it with no ill intentions, and then it would be unkind and unfair to accuse them of racism. I'm mostly surprised a company that big would make something like that.
ReplyDeleteI saw these on the local news the other night. The designer says they were designed after the "My Monster" stuffed toys from the 80s or 90s.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I think it's just stupid to wear a manacle on your calf. Seems like it would be uncomfortable and awkward to go around like that.
Adi Dassler would be rolling over in his grave. And the thing I really don't get? Take the shackles off, that is still one effing ugly pair of kicks. Where is Reverend Run when you need him?
ReplyDeleteI saw something about these, but I didn't click on the link. I give them a big, fat meh. Although, those in the pic are in Lakers colors...
ReplyDeleteI don't put a lot of emotion or angst into fashion. I've seen too many people work themselves into a lather over kids who wear sagging jeans. Sure, it's silly, but in the end, I'm not wearing those clothes and what someone else wears doesn't really impact me all that much. (Well, I may see them, but I don't have to watch them most times.)
I'll keep you posted as to if I see these shoes worn in my local high schools.
I don't remember reading that slaves ever wore $350.00 shoes. If they had that kind of money they probably would have bought their freedom. Seriously, I don't think these shoes are insensitive. Dumb-looking, but not insensitive.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they're racist. I didn't think of slavery in any sense when I looked at them. However, i do think they're stupid.
ReplyDelete~Gina
First thing that came to mind was security. If someone tries to steel your kicks, they are literally cuffed to your ankles.Or if a parent has problems with their child always taking their shoes off, guess what? Handcuffed... or ankle-cuffed. Practical and effective.
ReplyDeleteI can not comment on the style, because I lack all taste in everything textile.
I don't think they are racist but I do think they're ugly.
ReplyDeleteBack in the 80s there was this toy called... My pet Monster, i believe, and it was basically a giant plush monster with plastic shackles on his wrists that would "break apart" when you tugged on the monster's wrists. Because he was a monster and he was so strong that he could break them or tevs. My brother had one and would spend hours wrestling with it when we were kids.
ReplyDeleteThose shackles look exactly like the way i remember those toy shackles looking on.
I really don't have a deeper meaning or point to this commment...
I don't even know how to respond to that.
ReplyDeleteI would never buy those for my kid. I'm not sure I would outright forbid them, but I certainly wouldn't buy them for my kid.
I'm not quite sure the shoes in and of themselves are racist. They are most assuredly dumb, however.
ReplyDeleteI read that these shoes were designed by an avant-garde artist. For a shoe company to do that was like rolling dice.
I don't if their racist, but like a few people have already said, they look pretty stupid. I showed this to my son (who is running shoe fanatic) and he thought they were the stupidest thing ever.
ReplyDeleteShoes can't feel emotions, so the shoes can't be racist at all. If the shoes were designed with racist intent, then I feel pretty sure they fell short of the mark, because either black people wouldn't buy them at all (and so the racism falls flat) or black people buy them but in doing so are co-opting the racist point and making it their own, something like what happened with the N word.
ReplyDeleteI think the people that see racism in their shoes are missing what I immediately thought was the point of the shackle: Not that it was meant to be some sort of day-glo paean to racism, but that it was instead a comment on people's feelings about their shoes, that people place so much stock into fashion that they are, in a sense, shackled to it and it binds them rather than adorns them.
*High five for me understanding symbolism*
All I can say is the boys may not just strut but slip or hop around trying to get the damn chains of...something similar to the calf and knee length gladiators sandals that were once a fashion trend but highly uncomfortable if your legs were on the fleshier side.
ReplyDeleteRacist can be any damn thing when you your mind is set on confrontation for no reason.
I might mistake them to be death row criminals on the run. ;)
I'm confused. I think it comes from a lack of understanding of shoe fashion (probably evident in my four pares of shoes that I own)
ReplyDeleteThat being said, those triangular bracelets with the ring and the chain's on the hand that used to be popular (I think) also signify slavery in some cultures, and we didn't even change those to make them weird colors. And I don't recall anyone offended by those.
... I'm thinking: "Why the hell would anyone want to wear such incredibly UGLY shoes?"
ReplyDeleteI can't see it being that popular and a lot of people can't afford that price. Who wants to look like a slave? lol.
ReplyDeleteI didn't read any of the above so you will be getting my first impression.
ReplyDeleteI laughed.
They look ridiculous, but I'm sure they'll be a hit. The price is crazy so none of my kids will ever own a pair, but I wasn't offended. Maybe it's because of my off the wall sense of humor. And if you think about it, we are all slaves to something--even if we refuse to admit it. Food, caffeine, drugs, sex, fashion, peer pressure, our laptops...
They just look dopey.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I can see the use for them on toddler shoes, just like they have those clips for mittens and pacifiers for babies. They lose everything!
Like Stephen Hayes comments, slaves of any time period would find these to be over priced. I have been working in Fashion Industry for over fifteen years now. One thing I know for sure is that vendors know what sells. Only once in a while they might fail and make a wrong guess and even then the merchandise is so highly priced that they make their money before they sell them away to look like a steal.
ReplyDeleteMy grandma always said that the bangles we Indian women wear are a sign that we belong to a man and hence a slave to our husband. You will not see ( most probably) an Indian woman wearing bangles after her husband dies. Also when we get married we get a set of gold bracelets and a lot of times anklets as well as a gift from our inlaws. People say that it is an underlying message that has been very slyly given to the girl.
They look plain ridiculous, and while I personally don't find them offensive there's no way a designer would think of shackled ankles and not think 'slave/prisoner of war/captive'. Not insensitive, just stupid.
ReplyDeleteLooks more like gang crap to me. After "skinny jeans" for boys, nothing surprises me in fashion these days.
ReplyDeleteNot that I'd allow my kids to wear them. Besides, they are just UGLY.
.......dhole
I was thinking more prison wear than slavery when I saw them. Maybe I watch too many crime shows, though. ;)
ReplyDeleteIf I had children, I wouldn't want them to wear them. They're kinda hideous.
I thought they implied incarceration. They are the ugliest things I've ever seen. Racist? No. Stupid? Yes.
ReplyDeleteDon't know if they're racist, but they're definitely tacky. And like some of the other commenters I too thought they referred to modern prison life.
ReplyDeleteThe price tag has me saying no way. I wouldn't want to be seen with the husband unit if he was wearing them ... or any kid wearing them. They're ... odd.
ReplyDeletewell they could certainly make you a slave if they rob you for those 350 dollars :)
ReplyDeleteI don't like anything that promotes crime and criminals and this kinda makes it trendy. Irresponsible if you ask me.
That being said, this doesn't mean I don't have a list of celebs whose obedient slave I'd gladly be... LOL
Ah, the shoes are better than the pant's that hang down their butts. If they don't think it makes them look like slaves, why are we making a big deal about it. If it offends you, don't buy them. Personally, I think they're ugly but I'm not making any fashion magazine cover. Funny post.
ReplyDeleteThey didn't really say "slavery" to me at first glance--though I question why anyone would want to wear fake handcuffs.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the photo, my first thought was "hideous". I wouldn't want my sons to wear those based on their ugliness factor.
ReplyDeleteThey remind me more of courtroom shackles than slavery chains.
Did not think racist---Just ugly!
ReplyDeleteThose are the most amazing pair of shoes I have ever seen. I'd buy them in a Parisian heartbeat. I'd sleep in them and shower in them seeing how I'd be chained to them. Slavery? Yes, this has slavery written all over them. A slave to Adidas. As in Adidas owns you, your ankles and your wallet. You're right, I should buy a second pair, just in case Dr. Manhattan wants a pair. :/
ReplyDeleteThe firs thing struck me was prison shackles. Didn't think about slavery until you mentioned it. I think they are outrageous, way too costly, and ugly. A slave to Addidas and commercialism.
ReplyDeleteThe world gets madder by the minute.
ReplyDeleteThese are very ugly, I am surprised at Addidas.
No doubt there will be some crazy kids who think they are cool...
Hand scuffs are negative thing... Any negative should not be encorporated to whatever... Thanks for posting this. At least im not gonna be crazy if i see it out...
ReplyDeleteJJRod'z
I don't find them racist or fashion. They look a bit stupid, but would go perfectly with those jeans that sit below your bum with the undies hanging out.
ReplyDeleteHaven't read Fifty Shades, I guess because it feels a little overhyped at the moment.
anyone who would wear a ugly pair of shoes like that is a person I'd like not to meet.
ReplyDeleteMy honest opinion is that they are insanely stupid. But then again, I have no fashion sense whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I have become enamored with seriously stupid things in my time, so I wouldn't begrudge anyone who wanted to where them.
As for the slavery thing. I'm not sure I see that. I bet someone, somewhere, has written a wonderful argument detailing how these shoes are proof that evil reigns in modern society. And if I read that argument I might be convinced. But for now, my ignorance is bliss.
The first thing that popped into my head when I saw that picture was: wow, that's so wrong. I think they're wrong on so many levels, not just a racist one. Plus, they're ugly!
ReplyDeleteI just thought them ugly and the price tag a crime.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I think clothing and shoe trends can't get worse, they do. And Twilight reboot? I'd rather have Star Wars reboot. The 1st movie was a life changer.
ReplyDeleteWhat always gets me is that dozens of people signed off on this idea and hundreds of others just like it. I mean, someone had what they thought was a brilliant idea. Then they had to pitch it to several people at Adidas who all nodded and clapped in agreement. Then more people had to sign the checks to produce them. I personally have nothing against the shoes except that they look ridiculous. I think I would laugh at someone if I saw them wearing these on the street.
ReplyDeleteBy the way Michael, I have passed an award along to you on my blog.
Cheers.
Well, I never even thought about the shoes in that way. The only thing I thought was... what the heck? Those are hideous! Who would wear those? haha
ReplyDeleteDo they come with a remote controlled tazer zap feature.
ReplyDeleteThey are tacky and ridiculous. I don't think they say slavery as much as they smack of BDSM, as you rightly pointed out.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that other people said that you go into "clothes descriptions" too much. Personally, I thought there was too much putting clothes on, and not enough taking clothes off. But I liked the science :)
I am completely baffled by the Fifty Shades craze. We get it in the library almost every day for someone. One person canceled her hold on it because she decided she couldn't wait and bought it. She was about 70 years old! Wild.
ReplyDeleteThe shoes will be popular but the denote prison to me-- not slavery. But lets face it, we are all slaves to consumerism. They are appropriate.