Italian swagger

When a no nonsense clothing brand like Energie decides to venture out into the rather competitive world of casual shoes, the results are bound to be interesting. From its first incarnation in 1983 as a small but fashion-forward store in Rome owned by Wicky Hassan and the launch of its first collection in 1989, it has grown to become a formidable denim-inspired Italian sportswear label, now offering everything from bags to eyewear. Since its debut in the fall/winter season of 2001-2002, Energie Footwear has expanded on the experimental ethos on which the company was built. And now, to the delight of guys who like shoes, it’s finally in the Philippines.

At an intimate presentation at Robot one afternoon, I got to see how you can never really have enough pairs of sneakers. Scowling to My Sharona by the Leningrad Cowboys, a crew of simultaneously attractive and unthreatening Brazilian models — with waists that could double as other people’s thighs, naturally — showcased the freshest in Energie Footwear. Freshest, in this case, meant military-athletic shoe hybrids done in reliable materials like canvas and leather. All of them looked lived-in and, therefore, wildly comfortable.

Brand New You're Retro

I’ve always been a bit intrigued by brand-new things that are done up to look beat-up and retro. One pair I spotted and liked — a high-cut number done in olive canvas — had visible scuff marks on the soles and appeared as if it had been run over several times by a particularly eager Vespa. Again, the intrigue.

A Euro take on an American classic: The high-top Powder features a full lace-up front for adjustability, a padded collar for support, and a rubber outsole for a flexible step.

Having assisted in fashion shoots in the past, I’m quite familiar with the tricks stylists employ to make clothes and accessories seem more well-worn. I was told, however, that this wasn’t the case. The sneakers in this collection came from the factory looking as if they were recovering from their too-adventurous lives.

Euro-Flavored Fredom

As vintage treatments are Energie standbys, I got the point and started imagining myself in their footwear. Leather high-tops with skinny carrot jeans, faded gray plimsolls with denim shorts and a Nirvana T-shirt: Here were collegiate looks one can easily appropriate for a post-collegiate life, looks which suggest that one has been more kinetically active than one really has. I was sold.

By the end of the day, I understood what Energie stood for even more: Euro-flavored youthful freedom. I’ve been wearing their jeans since last decade, when people wore denim embroidered like throw pillows, but I never really thought they would be able to translate their trademark well-shaped slouchiness into footwear. I’m glad they’ve done it.

* * *

Energie Footwear is available at SM Department Store, Mall of Asia, Makati, Megamall, and Cubao; Urban Athletics, Greenbelt 3; Complex, Eastwood Mall and Cebu. www.energie.it

* * *

Find me at ginobambino.tumblr.com.