Prada Creeper
It sells for $795 and there's a waiting list to get it. The Post calls it clownish and ugly, and says that a lot of "fashion-forward" New Yorkers are clamoring for it.
If it looks familiar, it's because this type of shoe was all over the East Village throughout the 1990s, before the neighborhood became Prada-fabulous. For years, it seemed like every little cobbler shop's window was packed with such Frankenshoes, every sole slapped with platform upon platform, some reaching insane, ankle-breaking heights of towering improbability.
Now, many of those cobbler shops have been forced out of business and replaced with things like vegan ice-cream shops and boutiques. But if you still have a hankering for jumbo platforms, you can get them custom-made at East Village Shoe Repair on St. Mark's Place.
The shop is a grungy little nest packed with sneakers and shoes in various forms of hybridization--Nikes sprouting Lucite stiletto heels, checkerboard Vans decked in leopard print, Chuck Taylors elongated into giraffe-like knee-highs. It's like walking into the lab of mad scientist. They love this place in Japan.
The guys here will add however many soles you want to whatever footwear you want--and it won't cost you $795. Well, technically, at about $20 per sole, you could spend $795, but then you'd be towering on about 40 layers--more than enough to crush the Prada creepers with your monster shoes.
this photo clipped from Another Mag
12 comments:
It took me a minute to even think of where there's a cobbler left in the EV...
That's true. They were everywhere thanks to the influence of club kid culture, which was rocking at the time (Limelight Disco 2000, Tunnel, etc.). I had a pair of white Docs with a 2" black-red-black sandwich slapped on the bottom.
As far as "cobblers," the best have been forced out. There used to be a great guy on 10th across from the park at 2nd Ave. Now you have to hike. There is a really good one on Bleeker off Christopher and a good guy on 8th Ave. near 22nd.
Oh.. elements of a sneaker and a wing tip..I myself like the high heeled sneakers the best!
I love this place .... have been buying used boots here for years ... the guy is a terrific St. Marks character ... prices fair and totally reasonable ... plus it's a throwback to the craazy 80s.
This post calls for a Leon Russell song before he started shaving:
http://twe.ly/pFib
Yes, unfortunately Mr. Fontana (across from St. Mks church) was forced out for a fancy yogurt place.
There is another good cobbler on E. 9th (near 9th St. bakery...so you can get your carbs on, too.)
Alex Shoe Repair on 2nd avenue at 3rd street (the place with the little Ode to Alex by Hettie Jones hanging on the door) creates platforms too! There's a nutty graduated, tiered one on display to admire inside. Alex does great work at a fair price and he's nice -- trust Hettie on this one.
nice. when i was sixteen i got my shoes done here. all white adidas shelltops with six layers of platform in black, blue and white. they cost $160 and i asked my sister, my mother, my grandparents and two of my friends to split the cost and give them to me for christmas, which they did. so freakin cool. i still have them. and i love that this place is still here. long live counterculture!
marjorie, thank you--i thought they did, but every time i've gone by to check in recent weeks, they've been closed. i worried for good.
LMAO. If Perry mason had worn those shoes to court, he never would have won a case!
As for cobblers, I take everything to Vince on Sullivan Street:
http://www.vincesvillagecobbler.com/about.html
Excellent work and very affordable. The talking cash register is always amusing.
I think this is in the running for my favorite post of the year! I love this.
Glamma--can you share a photo of your high heeled sneaks, please??
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