Kris Van Assche 2012 Spring/Summer Footwear Collection

Belgian designer Kris Van Assche is perhaps most notorious for taking over the post of fashion demigod Hedi Slimane at Dior Homme. His work for the French brand is copiously inspected every season, constantly being compared to the “early days” and often receiving heaps of accolades or criticism over minuscule details. When working on his eponymous label, however, Mr. Van Assche clearly feels less of a need to impress and, ironically, this leads to him doling out debatably more versatile and wearable offerings under his own brand. Case and point: this line of footwear for Spring/Summer 2012. In a small but strong set of releases, Kris Van Assche showcases everything from hiking boot silhouettes done up in lux fabrics to a classic all-black high top sneaker in premium leather, lug-soled suede chelsea boots, and his now trademark multi-laced high top sneaker-boot in a two-tone pattern. By slightly altering traditional footwear options and utilizing high-quality materials in basic colors, Kris Van Assche’s line of kicks becomes characterized by a subtle emphasis on design rather than logos, ostentation or gimmicks. Available starting late 2011/early 2012 at select Kris Van Assche retailers.