I am a big fan of vintage sneakers.  I really think it goes back to 5th grade.  For some reason our math books still had photos from the 70s in them and I always admired the kids' outfits, including their retro sneaks.  I like to think that's the reason I've always been obsessed with vintage... that and the fact that I think I was just born in the wrong decade.  For all these reasons combined, I really need to get my hands on a pair of the J.Crew + New Balance 1400 Sneakers.


In the article I linked above, they mention that Millard Drexler referred to the New Balance 1400s as the "coolest shoes ever."  Drexler is the dude who made The Gap cool and is now CEO of J.Crew.  My friend was just telling me the other day that she has a friend who works in the J.Crew corporate office and they have a loudspeaker in the building.  Apparently Drexler randomly hops on the loudspeaker at random and makes announcements such as, "We just got a call from Customer Service that someone bought a Dream Sweater Jacket has mis-matched buttons!  Someone bring me their Dream Sweater Jacket!"  That's less in a demanding tone and more of a funny, sassy tone.  I miss company loudspeakers -- perfect for company pranks.