Every few years a cult-like following develops around a shoe – Doc Martins, Birkenstocks and Crocs just to name a few. Some of these even endure, for both utility and aesthetics reasons. How many adults do you know who wear chucks on the weekend? But I digress.
For the past few years, the shoe craze is increasingly about Native Shoes. Created by Vancouverite Damian Van Zyll De Jong, the company has recently enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame. Personally, I can’t get passed their striking similarity to Crocs in terms of material, not to mention the silhouettes shamelessly borrowed from Vans, Wallabees, Converse etc., but celebrities and fashionistas around the globe seem to love these light weight, sporty shoes for grown ups and kids.
Since the shoe company claims their aesthetic is “relaxed, flexible and active,” it’s no surprise they have decided to make Kitsilano (Chestnut/W 1st) home base.
Native shoes are sold in Kitsilano at Gravity Pope, Moule, Pacific Border and Pebble Kids.
Last modified: May 30, 2012
