Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce may or may not be dating… that’s cool, whatever, I don’t care about that (no shade if you do). What has me a lot more excited is Taylor Swift’s feet! Or more precisely, her footwear game, as Esquirereports that Swift showed up to last Sunday’s Chicago Bears vs the Kansas City Chiefs game showing team spirit, dressed in red and white from head to toe, including a pair of New Balance 550s White Team Red.
The 550 is currently one of New Balance’s most beloved silhouettes after it was reintroduced to the public via Aimé Leon Dore’s 2020 International Friendship Through Basketball collection, which brought the 550 out of New Balance’s archives. The sneaker features a simple leather build and a minimalist design, and was such a big deal in the sneaker world that ALD’s founder and creative director, Teddy Santis, gained a creative director position at New Balance.
But Taylor rocking the sneaker isn’t just a case of a big celebrity wearing a popular sneaker, it’s deeper than that.
Have you ever wondered why Taylor is the cultural force that she is? It’s because everything she does is layered in meaning, this gives her every move a level of depth that most pop stars/cultural icons just don’t share.
Taylor wearing the White Team Read 550s, with its mix of white, red, and black trim (which perfectly echoes the Chef’s logo) wasn’t just her showing support for Kelce’s team, it was also simultaneously a way for her to embody her latest era as she gears up to release the much anticipated album, 1989 Taylor’s Version.
Guess which year the New Balance 550 was first released? I’m hoping you guessed 1989, because that’s the right answer. Only Taylor could make a public appearance that strengthens dating rumors into something of a symbolic gesture that slyly references her latest project.
Looking to buy a pair of New Balance 550s? Hit up the New Balance webstore right now where the White Team Red is still available. Get it while you can.
On Thursday morning, September 7, Rihanna and Puma jointly revealed their first collaboration since Puma confirmed a partnership with Rihanna’s Fenty earlier this year.
“we are back…,” states the caption of an Instagram post showing Rihanna rocking all-black in a soccer (or football) ball-themed room. “reintroducing the Avanti. available Sept. 15 at puma.com & select retailers globally.”
On March 1, Puma confirmed the Fenty X Puma partnership by posting an Instagram photo with “She’s back” written above the respective logos for Fenty and Puma. “Coming soon,” the caption teased.
“While the musician-turned-mogul’s laid-back announcement may have been predictably Rihanna, the news itself is anything but predictable,” Vogue relayed at that time. “Rihanna’s relationship with Puma stretches back almost a decade: first joining the brand as creative director in 2014, she then released a series of sell-out sneakers and staged a number of shows at New York Fashion Week, receiving positive reviews from critics and customers alike. Her most recent collection for Puma was released in 2017, with the collaboration going on an unannounced hiatus while Rihanna pursued other projects.”
As captured by Highsnobiety in June, Rihanna told us without telling us what was to come with Puma by wearing the King Avanti silhouette while out and about.
And this week, Puma posted a video of Rihanna on set, being asked, “Do you have an idea where you’re going next?” She playfully responded, “Um, I mean, I know where I’m going next, but I can’t tell you that. What’s the fun in that?”
Summer may be coming to a close in the US but music festival season is really a global chase for endless summer (if you have the means to travel). Going someplace steamy when it’s cooling down back home is a huge selling point for many music-loving vagabonds. Plus the US summer season isn’t over yet — Burning Man, Imagine Music Festival, Borderland Music & Arts Music, and Life Is Beautiful are all on the horizon. Hulaween, Portola Festival, Joshua Tree Festival, Tomorrowland Brazil, Groove Cruise, and more are on the way.
With more music to come, we tapped the Queen of Rolling Loud, Bunny Zingler. The fashion icon — who takes a 360 approach to self-expression through music, fashion, and beauty at festivals — just wrapped up her on-site activation at last month’s most powerful hip-hop music festival in history with her exclusive Forever 21 collection, bridging the gap between fashion and festival culture. The collection draws inspiration from the 90s and Rolling Loud’s home base of Miami with a variety of pieces including checkered bodysuits, colorful cargo pants, fitted graphic crop tops, and palm tree-emblazoned matching sets – a nod to the city’s vibrant nightlife scene and lively culture.
To prepare for the rest of this year’s and beyond festivals, we asked Zingler to walk us through how to properly prep and pack for your for a fest while also showcasing some personalized looks from her latest Forever 21 collection.
PART I – How To Prep
KAY GRAY
Schedule Out Beauty Treatments:
I try to plan any particular beauty treatments that take more time and healing at least two weeks before Rolling Loud or any other festival. One of these beauty treatments is usually a facial with my esthetician. Depending on how my skin is doing at that time, I either opt for a chemical peel or something a bit less invasive like an intense hydra-facial. Around this time I also like to check in on my routine teeth cleaning, hair removal process, baby botox, and root touch-up for my hair.
This is also the time when I would be planning all of my outfits and start packing little by little.
Work Out:
After completing anything painful and invasive, my second phase of prep is what I like to call the “good uncomfortable.” I really enjoy getting in good workouts that make me feel stronger. Lifting and stretching before Rolling Loud helps me ensure my body is ready to take on the heat and all the dancing I’ll be doing! I make sure to maintain a good diet even outside of prepping for special events but even more so leading up to them.
I try to get in a lot of protein, carbs, water, and minerals leading up so I know my body has the utmost fuel.
Self-Care & Last-Minute Errands:
Getting a little closer to Rolling Loud, I like to implement a lot of healing properties and self-care by doing things that make me feel good and look good. I always make sure I have my outfits completely prepped and packed, leaving just toiletries, makeup, and hair items to be packed for later on, a little closer to the event. Some of the things I enjoy during this time are definitely aloe pop face-sicles that I make at home, as well as getting a lot of rest. Rolling Loud is three days long, and with all the time and prepping beforehand and also in the moment, it really is crucial to make sure you’re fueling your body and setting yourself up for success to ensure you have the best time ever.
Along with this, I finish any last-minute errands, work, and home chores to make sure everything at home is good to go — leaving no loose ends to worry about.
Grab The Fun Essentials
After completing all of the above, I’m almost ready! Now it’s time for fun stuff like full body exfoliation, a spray tan, and a dope new set of nails. Aside from these, all I have to do now is pack up my hygiene, hair, makeup, and get an awesome hydration and vitamin IV before I really start the party. Quick tip for arrival – as soon as I get to Rolling Loud or any festival I attend, I also find the nearest supermarket and buy a case of water and my favorite go-to snacks to have on hand after a long day/night.
PART II – Packing Essentials
KAY GRAY
Electrolyte Packets:
These are most important for me because whether you’re consuming alcohol or not, you’re still getting pretty active going back and forth to stages while hopping and bopping around to your favorite music, especially at a festival like Rolling Loud where we have so many stages and acts I want to see. Staying hydrated is the number one festival essential for me.
Face & Body Sunscreen:
Finding a face sunscreen that works for you is almost like finding a precious gem. I swear it’s taken me years to figure out a sunscreen that works for my skin and doesn’t leave me worried about pesky breakouts or potential allergic reactions to chemicals. Do the research and start finding that for yourself as soon as you can – it will really help your skin for the long run and also in the present. Nothing’s worse than being burnt while you’re having fun – that’s the type of issue that would prevent me from fully enjoying my time.
Setting Spray:
Setting spray is super important to me! Usually, I opt for an aerosol setting spray for long-wearing makeup events like music festivals where you’re outside most of the day. For some reason, I think it just works a lot better than a traditional spray
Your Trusty Pair of Sneakers or Shoes:
I have certain shoes that are just my “festival shoes.” These are ones I’ve already broken in and don’t mind getting a little roughed up. Try to always have your feet, ankles, and toes protected at a festival for your safety.
Sunglasses:
Sunglasses because, well, they protect your eyes and always look super cool. If the setting spray flops and your makeup starts melting – sunglasses! I always try to bring an inexpensive pair because I end up losing them throughout the night. So make sure to pack a few pairs!
Hair Bands:
You or someone else will always need a hairband. Sometimes you wanna live in the moment and let your hair down without it actually flying in your face or sticking to you…hair bands !!!
The Got Sole sneaker convention went down in New York City this past weekend, and Meek Mill was on hand looking to score some new footwear. One of his pickups in particular drew some attention, but because of how the transaction went.
In a video, Meek is seen discussing a pair of “Pine Green” Nike SB x Air Jordan 4’s with a reseller (as Complex notes). Currently, pairs of the shoe are available for around $300 per pair on StockX, depending on the size, but the reseller priced theirs at $500. (While writing this post, though, the most recently sold pair on StockX went for $517.)
Meek took exception to the pricing, but ultimately bought the shoes. He said, “I could buy these at the store right now for $300. You want $500? That’s a bad move. I’m going to buy them from you, but that’s a bad sell. You’re supposed to give it to Meek Mill for the low, get the commercial: Boom, I might come back and buy more, you know? […] Now I’m going to go to the next table and I might spend $5,000.”
Some people didn’t love Meek bringing his celebrity status into the equation, and the whole ordeal made Meek one of the top trending topics on X (formerly Twitter) today (August 21). One user wrote, “Well he got the publicity and the sale at his price. I understand what Meek is saying but it’s also predatory. He’s trying to strong arm him for a lower price, when he can clearly afford the price that’s being offered. Plus the price is on par for what others are charging.”
Well he got the publicity and the sale at his price. I understand what Meek is saying but it’s also predatory. He’s trying to strong arm him for a lower price, when he can clearly afford the price that’s being offered. Plus the price is on par for what others are charging
Somebody else tweeted, “First off this isn’t schooling. Your price is your price. I bet if he go to LV they making him pay and there isn’t any discounts. And they gladly pay it. Ain’t nobody trying to get no weak free promotion at all. Stand your ground on your price. Either buy it or move on.”
First off this isn’t schooling. Your price is your price. I bet if he go to LV they making him pay and there isn’t any discounts. And they gladly pay it. Ain’t nobody trying to get no weak free promotion at all. Stand your ground on your price. Either buy it or move on.
Some folks took Meek’s side, though, like one person who wrote, “Hustling backwards… Should have gave Meek that pair and an additional one for the $500. Sure you take the loss upfront but now you’re locked in as Meek’s shoe plug and can supply him and his team with all the sneakers they will need.” Somebody else responded, “He got the $500 and i seen this video so free publicity [crying laughing emoji].”
Hustling backwards…
Should have gave Meek that pair and an additional one for the $500
Sure you take the loss upfront but now you’re locked in as Meek’s shoe plug and can supply him and his team with all the sneakers they will need
In June, Voguereported that Rihanna had stepped down as CEO of Savage X Fenty. But she’s still the boss. On Tuesday, August 8, the lingerie brand revealed a new line of maternity wear and marked the drop with photos of Rihanna cradling her son, RZA, whom she and ASAP Rocky welcomed together in May 2022.
“Not ur mama’s maternity bras…designed by @badgalriri, approved by baby RZA #SavageXMaternity,” reads the Instagram caption. The campaign was shot by Dennis Leupold.
According to Vogue, the capsule is meant “for moms and moms-to-be,” featuring three bralette styles and a graphic tee with sizes ranging from XXS to 4X and prices ranging from $35 to $60.
“The new maternity capsule is about bringing that confidence and comfort to moms at every stage of their journeys,” Rihanna told the publication. “I want to remind people that you can still channel sexiness and feel good while being a parent.”
“It’s the thing you never want to happen,” Rihanna told the publication. “We get to decide as parents when and how we do that. End of story. Throw me to the wolves. Do what you want with me. But he doesn’t have a say in any of this. We’ve been protecting him thus far and you don’t have any consent to be posting photos or selling photos of my child, a minor. Get the hell out of here with that.”
In late May, Adidas unvaulted about a quarter of its remaining Yeezy merchandise, and since then, brought in about $437 million. A portion of that profit will be donated to two charities: the Anti-Defamation League and the Philonise & Keeta Floyd Institute for Social Change to offset the harm Kanye’s 2022 media tour caused.
The Philonise & Keeta Floyd Institute is a nonprofit established by the brother of George Floyd; during an interview with Drink Champs, Kanye parroted a racist right-wing conspiracy theory that Floyd died from a fentanyl overdose rather than being suffocated by a police officer in put his knee on Floyd’s neck, despite his protests that he couldn’t breathe. Meanwhile, the Anti-Defamation League is a well-known civil rights organization working to reduce antisemitic harm — which Ye did plenty of over the past year.
Adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden said this option is “much better than destroying and writing off the inventory and allows us to make substantial donations.” The company did not say how much it donated, only that the amount had been discussed with recipients beforehand, and cited its “contractual obligations” with regard to whether Kanye will receive royalties (he will).
Fresh Pair season two continues with another fire episode featuring a legendary hip-hop guest that not only helped define the genre but solidified himself as a cultural icon, transcending from rapper to household name status and earning a place on many people’s Mount Rushmore of West Coast hip-hop (also a spot he declared for himself by starting Mt. Westmore).
If you know anything about Ice Cube — we’re going to assume you do — you’re well aware that his rap moniker isn’t just a random grouping of words. Cube is supremely cool, but even a pair of sunglasses and his famously chill demeanor wasn’t enough to mask his excitement over what Katty and Just cooked up for him. After the big sneaker reveal, Cube looked at his custom AF-1s like a kid in a candy store, eyes wide with wonder.
Have you ever heard Ice Cube say “wow” and mean it? That alone makes this episode a must-watch.
The fresh pair led Cube to share stories about how he first linked up with Hank Shocklee in the wake of NWA’s breakup, the making of his legendary album Death Certificate, and explain how “It Was a Good Day” was essentially the song version of his movie Friday. But that’s not all, Cube also talked a bit about the beef between The Big 3 and the NBA, and revealed his top five favorite storytelling rap tracks. It’s a deep interview with a dope pair of shoes and one of the most entertaining personalities in all of hip-hop — you already know what to do!
Fresh Pair is back, baby! Sneaker artist extraordinaire Katty Customs and legendary hip-hop producer Just Blaze have teamed up once again — taking their sneaker customization operation to the city of Austin, Texas for a special live episode starring UGK alum, Bun B.
A renowned sneakerhead in his own right, Bun is no stranger to a fire pair of kicks, considering that and the fact that the Fresh Pair team was visiting Bun’s home state, Katty and Just Blaze had their work cut out for them and nailing the right design was of paramount importance. We won’t spoil the reveals for you here (it’s a lot more fun to watch) but we will say that Bun was beyond impressed with what Katty and Blaze cooked up, inspiring the legend to share never-before-heard stories from his come-up and lengthy career.
Throughout this 30-minute episode, Bun takes us behind the scenes of the recording of “Diamonds and Wood,’ as well as the production process of UGK’s classic, Ridin’ Dirty. Later, Just Blaze and Bun reminisce about their early run-ins with Rockafella Records and Jay-Z and address that iconic moment in the “Big Pimpin’” video when Pimp C rocked a mink coat in 100-degree weather.
With the many references and nods to Bun’s career that Katty and Bun crammed into this single pair of sneakers, the hip-hop legend was bursting with stories to tell. Catch the full episode above and try to guess Bun’s out of 10 rating before we hit the post-interview during the credits.
Billie Eilish recently deemed Rihanna ‘the hottest person to ever exist in the history of the world,’ and Savage X Fenty’s latest promotional campaign is all the proof you’ll need. To launch the company’s new Sheer X collection, the “Umbrella” singer stripped down to undies to serve as the ad’s model. In the sexy photos showing off her baby bump (and then some), the provocative images suggest that everything’s OK with the company since the announcement of her stepping down as CEO.
The mogul told Vogue she would turn the reins to Hillary Super in June. “It’s been beautiful to see our vision for Savage X Fenty impact the industry at such an incredible magnitude over the last five years,” Rihanna said. “This is just the beginning for us, and we’re going to continue to expand in ways that always connect with the consumer.”
However, based on the website link shared in the musician’s tweet, she might be hinting at a future name change. Since its inception, the company has been referenced to as Savage X Fenty, and its official domain reflected that. However, now once you visit the site, the link updates to savagex.com instead of its original savagexfenty.com.
Rihanna loves to bare it all in risque photo shoots, including her recent maternity images titled “Rub On Ya Titties.”
(@itsfrankcobbs) 
