One icon inspired by another

A 50th birthday is one worth celebrating and legendary shoe brand Hush Puppies is doing so in style this year by partnering with two distinguished celebrity stylists to create its first ever Guest Designer Series; a collection of men’s and women’s shoes that reflect fashions of the past and embrace styles of the future.

London-based stylist Rachel Fanconi has provided inspiration for the women’s collection and New York’s own fashion commentator Phillip Bloch for the men’s, both of which combine style and attitude with the classic Hush Puppies values of comfort and quality.

Red carpet style complemented by everyday wearability
In the men’s Guest Designer Series, Phillip Bloch pays homage to the classic lines that featured on the first ever vintage Hush Puppies, focusing on the attributes that made them so popular with style-seeking, comfort-loving men. The collection is designed to take men from jeans to a designer suit and teams classic lines with contemporary casual styling.

At the heart of the collection are the classic men’s dress shoes. The Oxford lace-up (Mensa) features wingtip brogue detailing, an elongated narrow-toe and a combination of supple suede and print leather. An updated version of the classic loafer (Corvus) incorporates slim lines and edgy yet subtle detailing; including a neat metal buckle.

A simple dress shoe (Jubilee), a minimal yet elegant boot (Piccadilly) and a jodhpur boot (Metropolitan) revive some classic designs such as burnished tan and high-shine polished leathers making it relevant to today’s modern man.

Influenced by hip-hop, two modern trainers offer a cool and casual element to the collection (Pavo and Lynx). Using a modern mix of materials including patent, suede and leather, these fun-loving shoes come with either straps or laces and feature funky characteristics such as detailed soles and cute stars.

With casuals in mind the 50th Collection revives some of the popular Hush Puppies classics. Corona, Wayne2 and Earl2 combine Wolverine Worry Free Suede and on-trend colours, offering an effortless look that seamlessly moves from casual to formal. And a cute boot with an on-trend faux-fur lining (Innovation) tops off this super-contemporary collection with style.

With many of the shoes featuring star patterns – Phillip received a star constellation as a gift from his late father – this range is as funky as it is smart and the versatility is guaranteed to appeal to all men.

The Hush Puppies Guest Designer Series by Phillip Bloch

Mensa £120
Corvus £120
Lynx £80
Pavo £80
Jubilee £50
Piccadilly £55
Metropolitan £55
Innovation £80
Corona £60
Wayne2 £60
Earl2 £60

Phillip Bloch is perhaps the most quoted celebrity stylist and commentator in the world, having styled for Halle Berry, Jim Carrey, John Travolta, Sandra Bullock, Johnny Depp, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez and countless others.

Building a reputation on his fashion insights, Phillip even takes a little credit for bringing Hush Puppies back into the limelight. His expertise and wit has earned him accolades from the who’s who in the fashion industry, as well as guest correspondent positions on CNN, ABC, Style Network, and Oprah.

Often referred to as Hollywood's “Fashion Guru,” Phillip was also voted one of Cosmopolitan’s “Four Most Lusted After Men in Fashion” which is why it comes as no surprise that when the world's top magazines, entertainment programs, and corporations need wisdom on lifestyle or fashion, they turn to Phillip Bloch. It’s a well-deserved distinction, and one he wears amazingly well.

For Hush Puppies information and stockists visit Hushpuppies.co.uk.