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The GRAMMY® Awards are fun to watch, but we didn't know the days leading up to the show could rock just as hard. This year, we had a chance to see some awesome celebs before they hit the stage... as they hit the official Backstage Gift Lounge, where LA Gear was furnishing Presenters and Performers with its newly released LA Lights.

Jamie Foxx rocked them in Blue.

Young stars and industry legends dug the new light up shoes:

Justin Bieber went for the Black/Purple Lights. Miranda Lambert and Kate Voegele were going Gold. Smokey Robinson took a liking to Green/Olive.

Traditionally, stars want something they won't find just anywhere, and they definitely came to the right place! Reviving and updating its legendary LA Tech light ups from the early 90s, the LA Lights dropped December '09, and have been sold exclusively at Sportie LA stores in Los Angeles and San Diego, and online at sneaker website SportieLA.com/lagear. That's it. Nowhere else. Until this week.

"We really responded to the vibe in the lounge," said Isack Fadlon, co-owner of Sportie LA, which partnered with LA Gear brand-owner ACI a little over a year ago to launch LA Gear Originals - featuring updated styles from the Unstoppable line, '89-'90... and, now, this new line of LA Gear Lights. "It was a great setting and an opportunity to show off the new LA Lights - and to put them on people who are very particular about style."

The GRAMMYs air live on CBS at 8p.m. (ET/PT)...let's see who lights up Staples Center tonight!

"One of the reasons we're so happy to be involved in the launch of LA Gear Originals is the brand's commitment to its hometown of Los Angeles," says Isack Fadlon, co-owner of Sportie LA. "The event on Sunday re-enforced that commitment, and also demonstrated LA Gear's support of the next generation, in this case, kids from all over the world."

Fadlon is referring to the LA Lights Rhythmic Gymnastics Invitational, of which LA Gear was this year's Official Footwear Sponsor. As you can see from these photos, this year's competition was a pretty amazing event, with 500 professional athletes from all over the world coming to LA to strut their stuff on the last step on the road to the World Cup in Montreal. Melitina Staniouta, Liubou Charkashyna, Nataliya Leshchyk, and Katsiaryna Halkina were just a few of the Olympians on the list of outstanding athletes participating in the LA Lights event.

For many years, the Los Angeles School of Gymnastics has been hosting the world's top Olympic hopefuls in Rhythmic Gymnastics, a hybrid of acrobatics and classic Russian ballet. The sport got its start back in the 1940s; it's now one of the official events of the Summer Olympic Games and is the fastest growing sport amongst American teenage females. To show its support for these young stars of USA gymnastics, LA Gear presented 2010's 40 category winners with its newly released LA Lights shoes.

Fadlon was on hand for the competition and the awards ceremony, along with LA Gear Director of Specialty Product Lance Jackson.

To make sure no one went home empty-handed, all of the competitors were treated to specially produced LA Gear t-shirts. These were a big hit with the gymnasts, who were excited to bring the shirts back to their native countries, which included China, Russia, Belarus, and New Zealand.

"Even though many of the girls didn't speak English, their expressions said it all," Fadlon says.
 
The LA Lights went on sale in December 2009, at all Sportie LA stores in Los Angeles and San Diego, and online at sneaker website www.SportieLA.com/lagear.

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On Wednesday, January 27th, LA Gear and Sportie LA participated in a fundraiser to aid the victims of the tragic earthquake in Haiti. The event was organized and hosted by our friends at New Hat - this is an amazing group with a heart as big as their amazing - and sprawling - digital color correction studio in Santa Monica.

Included among the designer jewelry, clothing, art, gift certificates, and other awesome items for purchase in a silent auction were some of the new LA Gear light up shoes. We're not sure what the final tally was, but the joint was packed and fueled by good will and a commitment to social responsibility.

Yet another reason to be proud of our community - way to go, LA!

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, January 25, 2010 - Stars will be shining on the ground as well as in the sky, as LA Gear furnishes Presenters and Performers with its newly released LA Lights at this year's official Backstage Gift Lounge for the 52nd Annual GRAMMY® Awards.

As in years past, 2010's GRAMMY talent will include the industry's top artists spanning the genre spectrum. Beyoncé, the Black Eyed Peas, Dave Matthews Band, Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga, Green Day, P!nk, Maxwell, Taylor Swift and the Zac Brown Band are all confirmed to perform. These celebs and more will have access to the GRAMMY gift lounge, and there will be an in-Lounge "giving station" which will allow the celebrities to autograph and donate one of their favorite new gifts to the MusiCares® Foundation, which provides a safety net of critical assistance for members of the music community in times of need.

"The GRAMMYs are an iconic part of pop culture and the fabric of Los Angeles," said LA Gear Director of Specialty Product Lance Jackson. "This event is the perfect fit for us, and the timing couldn't be better, with the release of our new light up sneakers."

The LA Lights went on sale December 12, 2009, at all Sportie LA stores in Los Angeles and San Diego, and online at sneaker website SportieLA.com/lagear. The GRAMMY gift lounge will be open January, 28th-30th, 2010. The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Sunday, January 31, 2010, at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live on CBS at 8p.m. (ET/PT).

About LA Gear Lights and LA Gear Originals
On the heels of their successful launch of LA Gear Originals - which featured updated styles from the Unstoppable line, '89-'90 - LA Gear brand-owner ACI and top Los Angeles indie sneaker store chain Sportie LA released a new line of LA Gear Lights. Reviving and updating its legendary LA Tech light ups from the early 90s, LA Gear is presenting limited quantities of the new sneakers. Mens Lights come in White/Silver, Green/Olive, Black/Purple, and Blue. Womens Lights come in two colors, Red and Gold.

About The Recording Academy
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards -- the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music -- The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/thegrammys, a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/thegrammys and a YouTube channel subscriber at www.youtube.com/thegrammys.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, January 21, 2010 - LA Gear has announced its participation as the official footwear sponsor of this year's LA Lights Rhythmic Gymnastics Invitational. The event will be held January 21-24 at the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium in Culver City, with professional athletes from as far as China, Russia, Belarus and New Zealand traveling to Los Angeles for a weekend of training, artistic expression, and of course, competition. The brand will present the event's 40 category winners with its newly released LA Lights shoes.

Rhythmic Gymnastics, a hybrid of acrobatics and classic Russian ballet, was originated in the 1940s and is now one of the official events of the Summer Olympic Games and also the fastest growing sport amongst American teenage females. Each year, the LA School of Gymnastics is host to 500 of the world's most outstanding athletes and competitors of this sport. The event is the last step on the road to the World Cup in Montreal, which it directly precedes.

"We could not be more proud of these young women," said LA Gear Director of Specialty Product Lance Jackson. "We're equally proud that we share a name with this fantastic event, and that it takes place right here in LA."

The LA Lights went on sale in December 2009, at all Sportie LA stores in Los Angeles and San Diego, and online at sneaker website www.SportieLA.com/lagear.


About LA Gear Lights and LA Gear Originals

On the heels of their successful launch of LA Gear Originals - which featured updated styles from the Unstoppable line, '89-'90 - LA Gear brand-owner ACI and top Los Angeles indie sneaker store chain Sportie LA released a new line of LA Gear Lights. Reviving and updating its legendary LA Tech light ups from the early 90s, LA Gear is presenting limited quantities of the new sneakers. Mens Lights come in White/Silver, Green/Olive, Black/Purple, and Blue. Womens Lights come in two colors, Red and Gold.


About The Los Angeles School of Gymnastics The Los Angeles School of Gymnastics

(LASG) is a 501(C) 3 non-profit organization that offers comprehensive gymnastics programs for children and youth of all ages and ability levels. Our organization provides children with a structured, safe and professional environment, with individual attention and training for each child. LASG is a USA National & Olympic Team Training Center and our staff and carefully screened coaches have over 120 years of combined experience. Since 1975, LASG has provided our community with the best all-around gymnastic programs in the community's largest training centers. LASG is committed to excellence! Our goal is to move minority, low-income, minority, and children with disabilities "off the sidelines and into the action!"

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, December 7, 2009 -
LA Gear owner ACI and top indie retailer Sportie LA are following up their launch of LA Gear Originals - which featured updated styles from the Unstoppable line, '89-'90 - with a limited release of new LA Gear Lights. Reviving and updating its legendary LA Tech light ups from the early 90s, LA Gear is presenting limited quantities of the new sneakers. Mens Lights come in White/Silver, Green/Olive, Black/Purple, and Blue. Womens Lights come in two colors, Red and Gold. The LA Lights go on sale December 12, 2009, at all Sportie LA stores and online at SportieLA.com, followed by a broader release in January 2010.

The first light up shoes were released with LA Gear's LA Tech line in 1992. The revolutionary

sneakers came with red step-activated LED lights in the heels. Imitators followed, but none matched the success of LA Lights.

"The design on these LA Lights shoes is authentic and true to what it was in 1992," said LA Gear Director of Specialty Product Lance Jackson. "As with the Unstoppable line, our goal is to honor the history of the brand. We updated colors and materials, while remaining true to these iconic styles." 

The new Lights will hit the market with fewer than one thousand pairs made per SKU. "We have plans for much wider production and distribution," Jackson assured fans, "but we decided to do a very limited rollout to make this initial launch a little more special." 

In creating this new line of light ups, LA Gear drew upon a fresh and diverse mix of materials, including: nubuck, patent leather, leathers with metallic finishes, mesh, and some metallic-looking mesh.

 

Of the technology utilized in the new LA Lights, Jackson said, "The current lights are positioned in the exact same part of the shoe as the original, but these lights have a much longer battery life - about 7 years if worn daily - and are brighter than the lights used in 1992." Additionally, where only red lights were used in the earlier versions, colors this time around include blue, yellow, and white, and pink. Jackson pointed to the success of this year's LA Gear Originals Unstoppable line as a major factor in the relaunch of the Lights. "We wanted to go chronologically as we expanded the LA Gear Originals line, and consumer enthusiasm has really inspired us to move forward," he said. Sportie LA co-owner Isack Fadlon concurred. "We get calls daily for the LA Lights," he said, "and if you follow the chatter on the Web, it's clear the interest level is extremely high."

While LA Gear traditionally enjoyed a strong women's following, sales of the LA Gear

Originals line suggest that both men and women are gravitating towards the styles. "The KAJs, Fire High, and Star Shooter Hi have all sold remarkably well," said Fadlon, who expects both men and women to respond equally well to the Lights. "We've struck the perfect balance between fun and wearability," he explained. "Not everyone who buys a unique shoe is a collector. 90% of the people who buy the Lights will want to wear them a lot."

Ultimately, said Jackson, the light up shoes are synonymous with the brand. "Many people, when they think of LA Gear back in the day, they think of

LA Lights," he concluded. "Some want a chance to
wear these iconic sneakers again, and for others it's a chance to experience something new. It's the best of both worlds."

Following the initial release at Sportie LA's stores in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, and San Diego, CA, the LA Gear Lights will roll out to EVR in Cincinnati, OH; The Tannery in Cambridge, MA; Shoe Biz in San Francisco, CA; Little's in Pittsburgh, PA; and Sports Zone, Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, among others.

BUY LA Lights

Yak Attack Kicks Off 2010 with LA Lights

Sneaker Freaker Best of the Best of 09!

News from November-December, 2009: The LA Gear Lights are finally back, and it's no surprise that people are talkin:

Thrillist Says Wear LA Gear Lights

Topix of the Day: LA Gear Lights

Sweater Junkie's Got a Jones for the Lights

Fresh Prince and LA Lights

Get Schooled by the Teacher and Get LA Gear Lights

How Tweet it is...all LA Gear Lights

International Business Time Talks LA Lights

Just Envee Just Happy to See Lights

Nadine Shows LA Lights Shopping Spree

9 Grand Notes the Return of the Lights

Hoop China Covers LA Gear Lights

The Worlds Best Ever Rocks Lights Own the Night Poster

Luxury4Play Has the Lights On

Dear Whoever Sends Letter to Lights

Air 23 Takes a Break from Nike to Tout LA Lights

MISS Gives Lights Some Extra Pizzazz

UpTempoAir Forum Likes Lights for the Holidays

Whats Fresh? LA Gear Lights

Uptowns Says Wtf Here Come the Lights

RealTalkNYC Talks LA Gear Lights

Street Level Covers Lights Early Release

Sneaker Obsession Spotting LA Gear Lights

Sole Collector Suggests Black Friday Presale for Lights

Sneaker Files Open Their Books for LA Lights

The Vine Says Light Me Up

Kicks on Fire with LA Lights

Sneaker Society Shows LA Gear is Lighting Up the International Community 

Some of the latest news:

September 16, 2009 - LA Gear gets the Delux treatment:

Delux Singles Out Sportie LA for LA Gear

August 25, 2009 - Cal's Patrick Christopher shares his love of the Lights, but he wants em all to himself!

Cal Guard Pat Christopher Talks LA Gear Lights on SI.com

August 19, 2009 - More love for the Stardust and the updated Unstoppable line - the hits just keep on comin'!

LA Gear Relaunch-Stardust-on Synamatic

August 18, 2009 - LA Gear Stardust Sighting on SyNaMATIQ Apparel Blog:

LA Gear Makes a Relaunch After the 90s

 

August 1, 2009 - Here's a little update on the buzz around the Lights:

LA Gear Lights Preview on The Vine

LA Gear Lights Preview on Sneaker Freaker

When ACI and Sportie LA teamed up in December 08 to relaunch the Unstoppable line from 1989-90, we knew there'd be excitement. We were excited about it, that's why we created LaGearNews.

But the response has been so cool that we wanted to share some of it with you. From an early article on NiceKicks.com to FN checking in with Sportie LA's Isack Fadlon about his store's opening in San Diego the other day, LA Gear is on the minds and lips of people in the know, and from what we're seeing the LA Lights are gonna be the point where things just go nuts.

Anyway, you can check out all the chatter here, but in the meantime, we'll do our best to keep you up to date on the new Unstoppable line, the Lights, and a certain line that people really want LA Gear to bring back but which we don't have any further info on yet!

Peace.

Black Friday sales are nothing new - it's a huge shopping day so retailers offer deals to attract customers. Sportie LA's Black Friday Pre-Sale, offering customers an early shot at some LA Gear Lights, is something else altogether. This is a Black Friday sale created by popular demand.

On this blog, across the web, and - from what the sales staff at Sportie LA tells us - on phone lines at all of their stores - fans of the Lights have been chomping at the bit for a chance to grab the shoes. This Friday, they'll have their chance.

Beginning at 11:59pm, on Thursday night November 26, the new LA Gear Lights will be available exclusively online at www.SportieLA.com/lagear.

Reviving and updating its legendary LA Tech light ups from the early 90s, LA Gear is presenting limited quantities of the new sneakers. Mens Lights come in White/Silver, Green/ Light Green, Black/Purple, and Navy Blue. Womens Lights come in Red and Gold.

The LA Lights officially go on sale December 12, 2009. 

Pinball machines filled the room with them and disco balls exploited them. Skyscrapers and light houses use them for protection. Our shoes house them in the heel cup. Well, they used to, until now ... actually next month. The infamous light up sneaker, the original phenomenon, is back. You are now destined to dance, once again, to the beat of both sound and light. Whether your preference is red, white or blue, you'll have a choice come this December, as LA Gear re-launches the LA Gear Lights at Sportie LA. Nostalgia aside, these kicks are fresh for many reasons.

The styling, taken from the original line of twenty years ago, has been updated with new materials and colors. Yes, retro, yet modern. Inspired by the past, yet speaking to today's fashion. A confluence of what was once innocent and simple with what is now influential and relevant. In essence, the balance required for a perfect fit.

This decade has seen many re-issues in the sneaker game; few,

however, may claim the reintroduction of a design that captured the imagination of so many. Clear out the closet, make some room, as the lights are destined to once again, or for the first time for those too young, be in your wardrobe.

LA Gear Lights will (finally!) be hitting select stores in December! It's official, and we KNOW it's so, because we were on hand at the official photo shoot here in LA.

You've seen glimpses of the new light up shoes from LA Tech, so you may have an idea of what you're in for. But the fact is that LA Gear has really outdone itself in bringing back these beloved sneakers.

LA Gear enlisted photographer Daniel Giberson to shoot the shoes, and he was kind enough to give us a few to show here.

We also managed to grab a few snaps of Daniel in action.

The shoot was originally set to take place in-store at Sportie LA's flagship location on Melrose Avenue, but when the crowd proved a little distracting (Fairfax High is right across the street, yo, what did you expect??), Sportie opened up one of its warehouses to the crew.

I'm not sure that shooting sneaker pics is most people's idea of a fun time, but these are not just any sneakers. Like the updated - and very popular - Unstoppable line, the new LA Gear Lights have a really unusual blend of retro cool and contemporary style.

The mens light ups come in Green or Olive/Yellow, Black, Navy, and White/Silver. The womens light ups will be available in Gold, Silver, and Red.

The LA Lights go on sale mid-December, at a select group of retailers, and online at www.SportieLa.com.