Pop-up store? Please, that retail concept is so yesterday… The thing that is “in” this holiday shopping season is pop-up malls.  Stacked neatly, dozens of refitted shipping containers are now part of BOXPARK, the world’s first pop-up shopping mall. Situated in Shoreditch, East London, and just opposite of the new Shoreditch High Street Station, the mall will house some fifty well-known retailers from the realms of fashion, arts, crafts, and lifestyle, including action sports brand etnies.  The temporary location will offer the latest footwear and apparel collections from etnies, as well as way for the brand to connect with its fans. etnies at London’s BOXPARK officially opens this Saturday, December 3rd.

BOXPARK Pop-Up Mall
Shoreditch High Street Station | Map
Shoreditch, London England

Opening Date: December 3rd, 2011 (Saturday)

What better backdrop than San Diego Comic Con for Kevin Smith to unveil his very own signature sneaker? Best known for his movies and fanboyish addiction to comic books, the perennial Boy-Man (or was it Man-Boy), was honored last evening at San Diego’s El Dorado Cocktail Lounge with fellow partner-in-crime Scott Mosier with their very own etnies signature sneaker. Inspired by Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier’s podcast program named “SModcast“, designers at etnies converted the label’s Jameson 2.5 into SMEAKER. Despite the Frankenstein’s Monster-esque nomenclature, the SMEAKER is, in actuality, a simple skate shoe with black canvas on vulcanized white sole. Distinguishable accents, like “Forgeticus” and “Have A Week”, all colorful catch phrases invented Smith and Mosier, adorn the exterior in orange or white. Black and white photos of both SModcast’s hosts are strewn across the footbeds on the inside of each pair. Limited in units made, the Kevin Smith x etnies SMEAKER will be available exclusive on etnies.com this coming August for the price of $64.99 US

Remember as a child your mom would tell you repeatedly not to play in the house? The PAS House, to be built in Malibu, CA, is the ultimate rebuke to the notion that play shouldn’t occur indoors, simply because every surface in the house is skateable. PAS stands for Pierre Andre Senizergues, founder and CEO of Sole Technology, parent company of etnies, Emerica, and eS. He came up with the vision for the house and got together with artist Gil Le Bon Delapointe to creat the design — a modern single family home and skate ramp in one — and eventually passed the project on to architect Francois Perrin, who is now finalizing plans on the house. Together they’ve created a skateboarder’s paradise, where everything from the kitchen counter to even the bed can be skated. Currently a full-scale, 753.5-square foot prototype of the house’s living area is on display at La Gaite Lyriqe in Paris. The exhibition will run through August 7th.

La Gaite Lyriqe
3 bis rue Papin | Map
75003 Paris France

Exhibition Date: Now – August 7th, 2011 (Sunday)

Etnies is gearing up to release a brand new Holiday apparel collection inspired by the design specifications from three of their finest pro skaters; Ryan Sheckler, Mikey Taylor, and Devine Calloway. The Holiday Collection aims to offer styles and fits that are just as diverse as the skating of the signature athletes. For instance, Mikey Taylor’s button ups focus on comfort, while Devin’s appear to have a sharper classic look, and Ryan’s take more of the minimalist approach. No matter your preferred style, Etnies is looking to have something geared toward you this coming Holiday season.

etnies have teamed up with Kevin Smith to release a collaboration project inspired by the cult classic film Clerks, in which Smith plays a pivotal role. The sneakers were showcased at the Comic-Con 2010 in an untypical manner. A happy hour was organized including free beer, shoe and apparel giveaways and chance to hang out with Smith himself and watching his podcast live. As for the sneakers, it is based on the popular Jameson 2 model that has been tweaked featuring Clerks logo on the side heel and the etnies logo on the tongue is also embroidered in the same font. On the inner soles are photo print of the cult icons, Jay & Silent Bob in front of the famous Quick Stop.

When Cliché rider Charles Collet isn’t pushing his way around Lyon, France, you can usually find him on a guitar. To celebrate the launch of the new low-top etnies x Cliché Jameson 2 sneakers in Olive, etnies has enlisted Charles Collete to go on a One Man Band Tour with four friends, three rolled ankles and one caravan, road-tripping across three countries. Check out a trailer of Charles Collet’s One Man Band Tour, and follow up with etnies for a day by day recap of the 10-day journey. At the end of the 10 days, etnies will release a full-length video of the trip and give away some free stuff as well. If you are feeling for a pair of new skate shoes for the summer, the Olive etnies x Cliché Jameson 2 is now available for order online at etnies.

What happens when a group of ultra cool Parisian transplants infiltrate New York City? “Epic” may be the only appropriate word to describe the weekend celebration Ed Banger Records had in New York City. Celebrating both Ed Banger Record’s 7th anniversary, the release of its leading lady, Uffie’s highly anticipated “Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans” album, and Breakbot’s debut EP “Baby, I’m Yours”, and in general, seven years of awesomeness in reigning over the electronic music scene, the record label has partnered up with etnies and Konbini to create an exclusive wed-documentary called, The Ed Banger 7.

The collaboration between Parisian record label, Ed Banger Records, and Etnies will officially be released next week. The collaboration collection is being called “Ednies” and features three different colored sneakers including White, Black, and Red. The official launch of the shoes will be held at three different locations including May 6th in Los Angeles at UNION, May 7th at the Etnies showroom in New York City, and finally on May 20th in Paris. The Ed Banger Records crew that includes Busy P, So-Me, and Michael Dupouy, will take part in each launch. All three colors of the Ednies collection will be made available on the Coot Cats Online Store, additionally the Red colorway of the shoe will be exclusive to the Online Store. The images in the lookbook were shot by Amaury Choay. via Michael La MJC

Connected by its French founders, electro label Ed Banger Records worked together with sneaker brand Etnies to release a collab sneaker, cheekily named “Ednies”. Ed Banger Records is responsible for launching artists such as Justice, Uffie and Mr. Oizo, and it has been shaping the electro scene in Paris and around the world.

Only 300 pairs of the Ednies sneakers are only available worldwide, and it features the trademark Ed Banger Records style, which is characterized by the illustration and graphics done by in house artist, So Me. The cup sole sneaker is shaped slim and kept clean in white and black colorways. On the tongue is a custom Ednies logo designed by So Me, and inner sole is detailed with a full illustration by So Me as well.

Etnies was founded by pro skateboarder Pierre-Andre Senizergues and have been a leading figure in the skateboarding and now the casual footwear market. To at the forefront is not an easy feat but with a new PAS Collection titled Sixth Element, Etnies have expanded into a new forum less traveled. The Sixth Element have just dropped at Beam’s store in Tokyo so get down to the shop before these become history.

This collection celebrates the ever growing family of skateboarders who are turning to fatherhood and allows for a creation of a special bond between father and son. A new concept to launch 3 adult styles packaged with complimentary 3 toddler styles that all tell a story about the various stages Pierre-Andre has encountered in life.

Revolution is a model that combines the French and American heritage by using the recognizable red, white and blue colors. Refection is the second stage that puts a focus on the son’s skateboarding future that reflects the father’s past. And lastly the Evolution depicts the father’s skateboarding life with the aged leather against the soft nubuck material representing a fresh outlook of the son.

While the second half of 2010 spots a series of grown-up silhouettes and shapes for etnies Plus sneakers, the label kicks off 2010 with a series of skate shoes true to etnies heritage. The Rebel Skate pack takes inspiration of etnies’ early Rebel Sports campaign and styling on shoes like the Ice Man. This release of Rebel Skate Series comes with three models, the low-top SENIX OP PLUS with a shiny black patent leather upper, the hi-top OLLIE KING PLUS and another low-top RSS PLUS. The interesting design point about this pack is the special Rebel Skate graphics on the midsoles of the low-top kicks, and a large “ETNIES” type on the side. Get a little nostalgic with the Rebel Skate Series and look out for them at your closest etnies retailer if you are feeling them.

While Freshness visited COMPASS Trade Show this past Monday and Tuesday to check out what there is to expect from the ever-changing footwear industry for the later half of 2010, we came across Etnies Plus.

Etnies Plus continues to be spearheaded by Etnies owner and skater Pierre Andre Senizergues, the five member design team for Etnies Plus aims not to rehash existing skate shoes or previous offerings from Etnies, but focuses on breathing new life into a new line. Thus, each model offered by Etnies Plus for Fall/Winter 2010 is designed from scratch and also meant to perpetuate a more sophisticated aesthetic.

Keeping colorways basic, simple and design streamlined and unembellished (the only branding is a subtle plus sign), the new line of kicks take twists in thoughtful details and material. For instance, hidden lace eyelets may not be a new concept, but the label’s new Quentin model adopts a more tapered toe to embody the silhouette of a dress shoe into sneakers crated with premium leather upper and soft pigskin lining and sock liner. Other interesting models we have spotted include the desert-boot redolent Skelter, but rather than a centered lace system, the laces are switched to the side and artfully hidden so minimal laces are visible. Taking a more casual route, the new Quovis and Que have more rounded toes, and are slightly chunkier than the Quentin and Skelter, perfect for the more rugged men who would like to work a new air of sartorialism into their footwear.

While some labels don’t necessarily live up to the “newer and better” saying, Etnies Plus has successfully reinvented itself by making classic favorites new with through their own creative lens that is surprisingly progressive, yet accessible. Stay tuned for more details on the release of a very solid collection coming in the second half of 2010.