Earlier today we touched on the Holy Grail, a shoe store that was looted after the Los Angeles Lakers conquered the NBA Finals in Orlando. Richard Torres, owner of the Holy Grail, arrived on scene less than an hour after the game ended to find fewer than 20 pairs of shoes out of the 800 he had in stock. Neighbors told Torres and authorities that the celebrants broke down the door to the store yelling, “We want shoes, we want shoes.” Many of the vintage kicks are irreplaceable and the damage to the store’s innards is extensive; glass display cases are shattered, two computers, money, and accessories were looted. Torres estimated the damage at nearly $140,000 but expects to be covered by insurance. He hopes to reopen the Holy Grail by the end of the week. Via LA Times.

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Nike is celebrating Kobe Bryant’s fourth NBA Championship with new t-shirts dedicated to his on-court exploits. Designs include the “Carpe Diem”, a white-based affair that nods to KB’s “Carpe Diem” mantra. The “Puppets 4 Rings” tee features Kobe’s exaggerated limb with his four rings on hand. Dime Magazine will have a bunch in the office by the end of the week and will be sharing with readers from their website.

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Ladies do you like your sneakers to match your purse? It’s going to cost you a pretty penny but the Louis Vuitton Damier Azure Canvas Speedy 30 paired with the Capucine sneakers in Damier Azure is a hot look for the summer. The Capucine Louis Vuitton sneakers with in Damier Azur coated canvas are reminiscent of a Converse Chuck Taylor low top. The Louis Vuitton Capucine have a rounded toe, natural calfskin leather tag on tongue, smooth leather lining, and a rubber sole.
The Louis Vuitton Damier Azure Speedy can really set off the sneaker!

The bag is Damier Azure coated canvas with natural cowhide leather trim with yellow stitching and shiny golden brass hardware. Warning: this look is not recession friendly! The LV Speedy retails for $700 and the Capucine sneakers are $560.

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The Nike Court Force High will be releasing in two new black-based colorways this Fall. The first pair comes in high-top form, and it features a blue base with black and white accents, while the second style comes in low-top form and hosts a red upper with black and white accents as well. Both sneakers yield an interesting grid pattern on the upper that gives both pairs quite a unique look. The Nike Court Force High Basic and the Nike Court Force Low Basic will release in Fall ‘09.

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Vans recently teamed up with Captain Fin, the first company to put artwork on quality fins, to create two new colorways of two new silhouettes. On a typical Vans collaboration, classic models such as the Sk8 High and Era are the base of the pack, but that is definitely not the case this time around. The first pair is a burgundy mid-cut boat shoe while the second sneaker is a green/yellow-white Vans 106. The Vans x Captain Fin Collection is expected to release in the near future.

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After the Los Angeles Lakers won the 2009 NBA Championship last night in Orlando, riots broke near Staples Center. A shoe store called The Holy Grail was looted (robbed) during these riots. The saddest part of this specific story is that the shoe store stocks sneakers though consignment; meaning the real victims of this crime will likely be the individual consignees who (depending on insurance policies) may be burned for a knot of cash. The stolen sneakers are surely among the least serious criminal acts triggered by the Lakers win last night. More info on the riots and looting can be found via the LA Times. Second photo via: The Holy Grail

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Images of the Air Jordan Flight 45 in this alluring white/grey cement/red accent colorway just surfaced. Featuring a perforated white leather upper, the 45 is augmented by a cement toned midfoot support strap and black/elephant print support overlays. Under the foot, cushioning comes in via an Air Sole unit embedded in the heel. The back of the tongue is draped in varsity red. The Air Jordan Flight 45 in white/cement will be available at Jordan Brand retailers later this summer.

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