The week that was in style: May 21-27

AIGLE HAS WOMEN’S FEET COVERED AHEAD OF THE RAINY SEASON
MAY 22 | THE PODIUM, ORTIGAS
Summer so far has had its afternoons of sudden downpours, plus the inevitable flash floods they bring. But whereas before, we had to resort to bringing a pair of flip-flops in our bags for emergency floodwater-wading purposes or stuff our feet into sturdy but uncomfortable PVC rain boots, there are now comfortable and stylish rubber boots that can take us from day to night, rain or shine.

It’s all thanks to Aigle. With a 165-year-old history behind it, the brand is known for its handmade rubber boots, which were initially made for France’s working class, such as farmers and field workers—people whose boots must be able to take a beating. But it wasn’t until 1903 when Aigle expanded its product line to include ankle boots, waders, and sports shoes, and 1932 when it began creating ladies boots and leisure shoes.

The Aigle master rubber craftsmen’s tools for their trade

Since 1853, though, the durability and utter comfort that its footwear is known for have remained constant. The brand’s master rubber craftsmen had all gone through two years of apprenticeship before becoming part of the company, and each of Aigle’s boots go through 60 steps before they are shipped out to stores; four thousand pairs of boots are made daily at the brand’s production plant in Châtelleraut, France.

For the looming rainy season, women get to have their feet covered and protected with Aigle’s latest style of rubber boots called the Macadames.

The Macadame boots come in gold bronze, black, brown, and red, and in low, mid, and knee-high lengths.

Dubbed as “The Wild Boots,” Macadames have the look of a motorcycle boot, complete with a detachable double ankle strap topped with a matte metal buckle—quite elegant in a rock ‘n’ roll way. They can be worn with jeans, shorts, and skirts/dresses, in that effortless way Parisiennes seem to innately know how to do.

To complement the wide variety of styles of its rubber boots, Aigle also has rainy day apparel for both men and women: jackets, parkas, vests, shorts, pants, and shirts that can be easily layered, depending on weather conditions.

Inside the newly opened Aigle store in The Podium.

Complementing Aigle’s wide variety of styles for rubber boots are apparel that can be layered according to weather conditions.

The Macadames are now available at Aigle stores in the Philippines: Uptown Mall, Ayala Malls Vertis North, and The Podium. To see more of the brand’s rubber footwear and apparel, visit their Instagram page.

THE BATA HERITAGE X STAR WARS COLLABORATION WAS FINALLY UNLEASHED
MAY 23

In time for Solo: A Star Wars Story debuting in movie theaters, it’s all about Star Wars for Bata Heritage’s capsule collections of Bata Bullets and Bata Tennis for spring/summer 2018, .

“The retro feel of the original Star Wars by George Lucas was the starting point of the collaboration, as it echoes the legacy of Bata, a company started in 1894,” says Charles Pignal, heritage director of the Bata Group.

The Bullets come in high-top versions in black or white canvas, with either red or blue Star Wars rubber patches on the side and matching piping around the shoe as well as the top eyelet. The iconic light saber from the filmic saga is featured at the back, lined with an allover pattern that combines the symbols for the Light Side and the Dark Side of the Force. As for the low-tops, they are revamped with tri-color graphics of Darth Vader, R2D2, and the Storm Troopers. Both the Darth Vader and the Storm Troopers models are available in white, black and gray, while the R2D2 ones comes in a fresh white, blue, and gray combination.

The Star Wars x Bata Heritage capsule collection is now available in SM Megamall.

NIKE ACD SS18 COLLECTION
MAY 23

Nike has unveiled the spring/summer 2018 release from its ACG (All Conditions Gear) sub-line, and it’s all about retro graphics and neon. The “Dog Mountain” hiking sneaker, in particular, which was named after a Columbia Gorge trail, boasts pops of bright colors that aren’t often seen in this footwear style. The ’90s-reminiscent ACG logo is added to the mid-sole, and adding to all that technicolor are the speckled rope laces. For something subtler but no less retro-inspired, there’s the ACG hiking boot that takes all that neon down a notch but not totally out.

Nike‘s ACG Spring/Summer 2018 collection will hit select retailers on Friday, June 1.