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. 

LAGearNews: What’s your first LA Gear memory?

Ray Trimm: I remember the day, it was in 5th grade, and my friend had a pair, and you immediately notice the muticolored laces.

LAG: Can you describe your customer and why the LA Gear Originals styles appeal to him/her?

RT: Our customers are individuals that look to stand out, in a non-eccentric fashion. E.V.R. is based upon vintage goods, as well as exclusive items, and L.A. Gear embodies that.

LAG: This place is amazing. Tell me how EVR got started.

RT: E.V.R. is basically a store I started in my room. I have always enjoyed retro goods, so I started buying from the mall/Ebay. Then, I began to get alot of recognition for my style and people offered to buy my footwear from me. So I knew I was onto something, so I sold sneakers out the trunk of my car. After getting real comfortable with reselling, I learned the basics of retail. From there, E.V.R opened its doors in June 2007. We have a niche but we also have expanded our clientele from teens to middle aged adults.

LAG: Middle aged adults? What’s one of those look like (no mirrors allowed here, please). So what’s your personal favorite LA Gear style/color?

RT: My personal favorite will always be the L.A. Lights, the black/orange pair. But the Star Shooter in black patent is hot too!

LAG: Do you think the LA Lights will take off in Cincinnati?

RT: People are already calling about the LA Lights!! Can’t wait! We should do a collab!

LAG: Good idea!

There you have it. Ok, people, if YOU’RE in Cincinnati or thereabouts, you can call EVR at: 513-771-7273, but really you should just head down there:
3230 Jefferson Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220

Tell Ray hello from LAGearNews!

Well, Come and get it! Four more stores have been invited to carry the new line, so if you’re in Boston, SF, Brooklyn, Cininnati, or Pittsburgh, stop by these locations for a look: 
 

• EVR

3230 Jefferson Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220

513-771-7273

• The Tannery

39 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138-3709

617-491-1811

• Shoe Biz

1553 Haight Street San Francisco, CA 94117

415-861-3933

• Ragga Muffin

938 Flatbush Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11226

718-469-7072

• Little’s

5850 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217

412-521-3530

•  Sports Zone

Washington, DC – Maryland – Virginia

Of course, if you’re in or around the City of Angels, the new Gear is available at Sportie LA’s flagship store:

• Sportie LA

7753 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90046

323-651-1553

And now, three more Sportie LA locations – including its new San Diego store – are carrying the line:

• Sportie LA

7454 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90046

323-852-8262

• Sportie LA

14510 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

818-990-7575

• Sportie LA

953 5th Avenue San Diego, CA 92101

619-702-2222

The event was held on May 13 at Pink Taco in the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, during the 50th Anniversary CLIO Awards http://www.clioawards.com/, one of the world’s most prestigious international advertising and design competitions honoring creative excellence and innovation in the industry.

In honor of the monumental 50th Anniversary of the CLIOs, the 3-day festival featured decade-
themed award shows, and Barry Manilow received an Honorary CLIO Award for his production of some of the most famous advertising jingles of all time for companies such as State Farm, Band-Aid, Tab and Stridex. Manilow also performed a live onstage medley of his 1970s advertising jingles.

As guests enjoyed margaritas and tacos, Kristy Thomley, Managing Director of Raging Artists, raffled off a pair of limited edition Stardust womens sneakers from LA Gear (Stardust Kid Lollipop in light grey). The mixer was a great precursor to the evening’s gala festivities, and added one more very happy winner to the festival roster.

SHOP STARDUST HERE
http://www.sportiela.com/lagear/stardust.html

2. The comments we’re getting on this subject (just a handful are published alongside our original article but you get the idea) demand that we say SOMETHING!

Last week, I had the distinct – and rare – privilege to view a prototype for the new LA Lights. I’m not at liberty to divulge details, but I can say that in my humble opinion LA Gear got it right. Through their partnership with Sportie LA, LA Gear’s updated Unstoppable line from ’89-’90 has made a huge splash, and that includes what’s going on now with the limited edition Stardust release.

My evaluation of where the Lights are headed can be summed up in two words: Bitchin. Classic.

I honestly don’t know where those two words came from, it’s just an honest reaction, so take it or leave it.

You can judge for yourself this September, when the shoes are expected to hit the street.

We will be giving fans a sneak peek at the Lights sometime this summer, and, of course, updating you right here on LaGearNews.com with any information as it becomes available.

Oh, and I saw MORE than just the Lights, but that’s for another article…

Anyway, we wanted to address the throngs of you who keep asking about the LA Lights, and now we have.

Whew! Now we can all enjoy the holiday…and do what all good people do on a holiday:

LA Gear’s celebration of the Unstoppable line from ’89-’90 continues, with its limited edition release of the Stardust.  BUY LA GEAR

The LA Gear Originals silhouette was a hit in Europe not long ago; now
, LA Gear and Sportie LA are bringing the Stardust to the US, in five colors – light grey, white/blue, white/grey/green, white/lilac/green, and light pink.

With its classic look, rhinestones, and bow-tie in the back, the Stardust was one of the most popular women’s styles to
come out of LA Gear in the late 80′s. The styling is quintessential late
80′s, bringing back memories of leg warmers and aerobic workouts. Accessorizing sneakers was novel, and LA Gear led the way with the Stardust. “We are very excited to expand the relaunch of the Unstoppable line with one of the iconic women’s shoes of the 1980′s,” said Director of LA Gear specialty product Lance Jackson.

The limited edition run consists of 89 pairs, said Sportie LA co-owner
Isack Fadlon, in tribute to the 1989-90 Unstoppable line. “We actually did 90 pairs, but the first one went to my mom for Mother’s Day!” he explained.

The Stardust goes on sale the night of May 12, at 11:59PM PST at www.sportiela.com/lagear/stardust.html, and is available exclusively at Sportie LA. For more info on LA Gear, stay tuned to www.LaGearNews.com.

LA Gear Returns

Iconic brand LA Gear is back, with a line of sneakers reviving many of the brand’s signature styles from the ’89-’90 Unstoppable line, while updating some colors and materials. LA Gear-owner ACI teamed up with top indie retailer Sportie LA for the relaunch, which was announced December 8. 2008.

As you all know, the new Unstoppable line from LA Gear is now available in a handful of new locations. It should come as no surprise that the retailers are as excited and passionate about LA Gear Originals as the customers are.

Justin Sigal, at Little’s Shoes of Pittsburgh, filed this report as his first shipment of Unstoppable sneakers was delivered:

“Just got the new L.A. Gear shoes in our store. Wow, did these bring back memories…”

My initial thought was, ‘Where are the lights?’ Ha!!! Patience, people, they’re comin’!
The shoes came in looking great. They are fresh to market. Yes, these areshoes that were done years ago, but they have been gone awhile and the updating is right on.

These old school basketball-modeled styles with sweet metallic coloring is something the sneaker world should love to see. The sneaker market has been saturated with Nike styles and copies, along with the sleeker Puma/Adidas soccer-inspired styles. Now, there is a new look to the world of sneakers and it’s the heavy, old school, hoop-inspired styles that are unique to L.A. Gear.

412.521.3530

BUY NOW

BUY LA Gear tyles now, from Sportie LA

As you all know by now, LA Gear-owner ACI has partnered up with top indie retailer Sportie LA to bring back the Unstoppable line. Well, the long-awaited Pre-Sale has begun! Many of LA Gear’s signature styles are back, with

some updated colors and materials. To be one of the first to rock the Fire High, the Star Shooter High, or the K.A.J. (which
 updates the classic Kareem shoe with a striking metallic silver and gold combo), among others, visit:

“Early reaction has been so positive, we’re really pleased to be offering these styles online,” said Sportie LA co-owner Isack Fadlon. “And I have to say, it’s also going to be a real thrill to have the shoes on our shelves and see how customers react in person.”