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!

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.

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!”

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:

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

And here’s point: My son, Aryeh, who’s 15, has been a fan of the Unstoppable line since it was relaunched and he’s been bugging me about the Lights ever since then as well. So I snagged a preview pair of the shoes and gave them to Aryeh. He took em out for a trial run on the basketball court, and shot this video of himself dunking while wearing the Lights. When my friends and I were kids, we all knew about LA Gear too – it was a fun brand, and if we could’ve made our own videos to post to YouTube, we would’ve. 20 years later, the brand is back, and having the same impact on a new generation.

The “LA Gear Jam” track playing in the background was contributed by
Head Hunters, who are fans of LA Gear and are official SLAM Feedbackers. Head Hunters is comprised of teen musicians Elvis Kuehn, Max Kuehn, and Djavan Santos, who wrote and performed the track together. Props also to Greg Kuehn at Peligro Music & Sound. It’s good to have the whole Kuehn Clan in our corner!

There’s also a sneak peek gallery that can be viewed on LaGear.com.

Best of all, we’ll be on hand to film and snap the ENTIRE LINE OF UPDATED LA LIGHTS at WSA in Las Vegas next weekend, where LA Gear and Sportie LA are throwing an invite-only sneak peek party.

So we hope to have some great stuff posted in early August!

In the article, which broke Sunday, Lance delved into such topics as LA Gear brand-owner ACI’s partnership with top indie retailer Sportie LA, the brand history, his inspirations for the new product, and the upcoming relaunch of LA Lights.

Read the article here: http://www.formatmag.com/features/la-gears-lance-jackson/

And for our own Q&A with Lance, check out “LA Gear: Still Unstoppable” from our archives.  

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.

From McCartney to Morrissey and My Bloody Valentine, from Franz Ferdinand to Fleet
Foxes, and Beirut to the Black Keys, there was no shortage of great music and one-of-akind performances at Coachella’s 2009 fest in Indio, CA.

What we did find, was that no matter how big the draw, from sun-up to sundown, people stopped in their tracks to get a look at the LA Gear Mini. We were
there for the music like everyone else, but our wheels definitely made an impression! Learning from our experience at WMC last month, the Mini was packed with hats (and shirts) so no one went away “empty-headed.”

“I’m not in marketing per se, but I roll with SLAM for the ‘good tines,’ as we call ‘em,” says film editor Justin Trovato of Cosmo Street Editorial, who provided pics of the event (thanks, Justice!), “What I thought was amazing was people’s reactions to
LA Gear – it’s not just one person, it’s everybody. It was really cool.”

Check back frequently with LaGearNews.com to see where we end up next!

More pictures below…

———————————–Coachella 2009 Picture Album——————————-

Click picture for larger image…

This time of year, the weather in Miami is perfect – just the right mix of soothing sunshine and ocean breeze. You see a pretty healthy cross-section of flip flops and sneakers on South Beach, and as someone who grew up here, I can tell you that sneakers win out in this town most of the time.

So what better way to contribute to the atmosphere than to share some LA Gear love with fellow partygoers? Hitting virtually every GOOD party on
the circuit, our KAJs & MVPs got noticed… We had to take our hats off (and give them to) our friends from Thrillist and Y.E.L.P., and fortunately we’d brought extras – which now, too, are out there in the world, a sweet reminder of good times had, good friends made, and more of both to come.

While we did give one friend the shoes off our feet (you look so much better now, Goldini!), we also used this opportunity to inaugurate our new LA Gear Feedbackers program. It’s something SLAM started a while back, and it allows us to get a sense of what people think of a brand. We handpick a few people whose taste and enthusiasm are in sync with the brand, and we send them a pair of shoes.

Simple, right? Our people on the street, so to speak, wear the sneaks every day for a month, and let us know how they like

‘em. And, importantly, they share the feedback they’re getting from friends, acquaintances, and strangers alike. So LA Gear Feedbackers from Miami, and you know who you are, go to our ONLINE STORE right now,
and pick out a pair in your preferred size and style, and get in touch. If you’re one of the chosen few, you know how to reach us. And we’ll send the LA Gear direct to you for Feedbacking. Ok, time to stop writing – it’s 75 degrees here in LA, and somehow, I’m still missing Miami…