The Discerning Brute: fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man » mens shoes

M:Zero, Shoe Hero & Walk

joshuakatcher — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 18:00:46 +0000

• When I originally blogged about M:Zero's debut at the Kaight Pop-Up Shop for Melissa Plastic Dreams, I was stoked about the recycled, injection-molded and recyclable shoes. Now that I see them in all these rad colors and textures, I am a happy, vegan, fashionisto. The brown flocked kicks need to be on my feet - and for only about $70 US, they're affordable to boot! • Now that you have some new shoes to show off - sign up for Farm Sanctuary's 2010 Walk for Farm Animals! The celebrity trainer, host of Biggest Loser and vegan discerning brute himself Bob Harper is the official spokesman for the walk this year. *Check back soon for my video interview with Bob that I did for Farm Sanctuary!

Step Right Up, In Novacas.

joshuakatcher — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:42:51 +0000

I'm pretty excited about the Autumn-2010 collection of men's shoes from Novacas. From the tan, sleek soles and the gray, brown, and black uppers in classic, handsome styles to edgy details like an asymmetrical opening on the Emmett, to the fold-down throat on the Milo, these shoes and boots showcase a welcomed shrewdness from Novacas. The profiles are trim and elegant, and I also really enjoy the contrast of the high-polish toe on the gray Milo against the rest of the matte upper. The best part about a well-made men's shoe is that it looks good with anything: shorts, jeans, slacks, a suit. Novacas' shoes are 80% biodegradable (on their way to being 100%), totally vegan, and made under fair conditions in European factories. To top it off, sister designers Erica and Sara Kuberski own MooShoes, NYC's only 100% ethical shoe store.

Fluevog Fancy Feet, Our Hen House, and TV Stars go Veg

joshuakatcher — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:00:45 +0000

• My new spring shoes are these killer, plaid, vegan oxfords from John Fluevog! How cool are these? They're perfect with khaki shorts, jeans, or black trousers. From a punk rock club to wall street, you can mismatch them with other patters, or let these kicks stand alone as the centerpiece of your outfit. The best thing of all is that help you tread more light since they're free of leather, one of the nastiest sources of pollution and global warming. $179 • I was recently interviewed on the podcast "Our Hen House, Episode 9" where I discussed The Cave Man Diet, Mainstream Manliness, and other interesting tidbits with fabulous hosts and activists Jasmin and Mariann. If you aren't subscribed to this podcast that discusses all kinds of ideas on how individuals can make change for animals, you should SUBCRIBE.

• American Idol's Ruben Studdard, went vegan and has lost over 100 lbs already! One of his favorite restaurants is Soul Veg in Atlanta. Ruben explained his weight-loss on 'The Wendy Williams Show', saying, ”I went to vegetarianism about a year-and-a-half ago, and then about 6 months ago I started being completely vegan.” Read the full article on Ecorazzi and his interview with Peta.

• According to VegetarianStar.com, Biggest Loser host and trainer, Bob Harper is almost 100% vegan, and has challenged his twitter followers to go vegan, too! When his cholesterol dropped 100 points after going veg, he couldn't help but send out tweets like this: "Your Challenge today is to go the next 24 hours, starting now eliminating ALL animal products. Good for your heart AND the environment!!" "I'm a HUGE fan of Gardein!!" "I love this day..getting together with a couple of close friends and I'm preparing a VEGAN FEAST..hope they like it!!" Follow Bob on Twitter, too.

CLASS ACT PLASTIC: Melissa Plastic Dreams for MEN!

joshuakatcher — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:08:17 +0000

You heard it here first! I got my eyes and hands onto a handful of samples from the forthcoming men's collection, M:ZERO, from Melissa Plastic Dreams: the sustainable, zero-waste, fair-trade, recycled plastic shoe company known for their cutting edge design and collaborations with fashion superstars like Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier, and others. Kaight Shop in New York City's Lower East Side held a launch party for the pop-up installation of Melissa's "Shop Within a Shop" inside of Kaight. They were so cool, I couldn't help but jam my giant, size 11.5 foot into one of the samples that were all size 8, just for the sake of a photo. Considering that these are touted as some of the most comfortable shoes out there, it really wasn't that bad at 3.5 sizes too small. One that fits must feel like walking on pillows. The new men's collection features an oxford, a loafer, and a driving shoe. By far, my preference is the oxford, especially the gray, fuzzy one and the white matte one. Look out for these fantastic plastics arriving for retail Autumn/Winter 2010!

All About the Benjamin, Faux Faux Fur & Edible Furious Vulvas

joshuakatcher — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:31:05 +0000

The "Banjamin" from NOVACAS is making us drool. We love the direction in which NOVACAS has been going, first with their sleek Leo boot, and now with this smart cap-toe ankle boot. Keep 'em coming, NOVACAS! Our pal Pierre, from the HSUS recently exposed on the news how real dog fur is being sold as faux. I have little patience as it is for idiots who think fur is fabulous, and this just adds fuel to the fire! Grrrr! When was the last time you ate a delicious Furious Vulva? Blustocking Bobons by Lagusta's Luscious features these bittersweet chocolate vulva with pink peppercorns and Hawaiian pink sea salt, among other vegan chocolate creations like PB Cups and truffles! Check them out and get your chocolate fix while supporting organic, fair-trade, fresh and local ingredients!

Capstone Classic Laceups

TheDiscerningBrute — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:03:39 +0000

This incredible, new "Leo" boot from Novacas is a landmark in mens' vegan shoes. This is what we've been waiting for! A simple, classic lace up boot that looks great casually half-laced with a pair of fitted jeans, or laced up completely under slacks. Thanks for setting a new standard, Novacas! Thanks to reader, Adnan for the tip! Available at Moo Shoes for $159

JUNE CONTEST! Win a pair of Bourgeois Bohéme brogues! (US size 10)

TheDiscerningBrute — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:27:29 +0000

Win a pair of Bourgeois Bohéme brogues! (US size 10) Bourgeois Boheme makes amazing, vegan shoes and boots for men and women. These Simpatias have been featured on the blog before, and I am sure someone who is a size 10 will have some happy, handsome feet! These are some of my favorites!

You can win these Bourgeois Bohéme $125 shoes in a few simple steps:

Write a "letter to the editor" of any major fashion magazine you choose: Vogue, GQ, Elle, Cosmo, etc... explaining why leather is disgusting, toxic, unethical and outdated! Here are some facts & tips to help you write! Remember: the goal is to enlighten, not incite! Be respectful, and do not make threats.
Forward that letter to TheDiscerningbrute@gmail.com. The Subject line must read: JUNE CONTEST: Bourgeois Boheme (otherwise it may get trashed)
The best, most moving and creative letter wins!
Deadline is June 31st.
The winner will be announced July 1st.

* DISCLAIMER: The Discerning Brute takes no responsibility for the content of any letter written in association with this contest.

Fresh Friday Finds

TheDiscerningBrute — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:04:07 +0000

1. Hipster: The Dead End of Western Civilization Amazing article from Adbusters on the counter-cultural void that is Hipsterdom.

2. The Vegan Collection Affordable, sweatshop-fee, vegan shoes for men. The Vegan Collection is versatile - dress it up with a suit, or go with a pair of jeans. They're under $50, and 25% of profit goes to animal advocacy.

3. Hey Alaska, Stop Murdering Wolves! As many Alaskans already learned via media reports, 14 one-month old wolf pups recently were killed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in a practice known as "denning". Denning is the practice of killing wolves in or around their den, in this case by shooting them in the head. 14 adults were also killed. Please, as soon as possible, contact Alaska Governor Sarah Palin expressing your objections to this unethical and illegal decimation of Alaska's wolf population. 4. Green Depot Perhaps an alternative to Home Depot (formerly known for it's use of old-growth timber, and now it rampant greenwashing - among other shady practices) can inspire people to consider the enviroment when making home repairs and adjustments. Green Depot promises to be a good steward...that is aside from those "eco-friendly" insect killers and wool rugs. Maybe the best solution is to just not buy anything new at all. Check out Build It Green in New York - an entirely recycled/thrift Depot-style, DIY store.

5. Vegan, Lesbian Hollywood Wedding! Newlyweds and newly-vegans Ellen Degeneres and Portia De Rossi got married and had a totally vegan wedding featuring a vegan red velvet cake by Sweet Lady Jane. How was I not invited?

6. Fur Real?

Gwyneth Paltrow recently turned stomachs when she appeared draped in fur and exotic skins in a campaign for Tod's. The strangest thing about it is that she surrounds herself with vegan and vegetarian friends and family including her very own vegetarian husband Chris Martin of Coldplay. Friend Stella McCartney is pissed, Moby is pissed, and I am pissed too. Vaginally and anally electrocuting a struggling fox until it is dead is the furthest thing from sexy. Hey Gwyneth, you might want to brutally bludgeon and stomp my dog, then turn him into a giant set of furry ear-plugs to block out all the shit you're gonna hear for doing this campaign.

7. AuH2O

New York's East Village is home to the recycled eco-boutique AuH2O. They even do custom alternations on the spot with no charge!

84 E. 7th St. (b/t 1st and 2nd Ave) New York, NY 10003 (212) 466-0844 E-mail: kate@auh2odesigns.com

8. Star Wars' Environmentalist Origin

Derrick Jensen is an amazing, truthful, and brilliant writer. But comedian? Who knew? Derrick files his grievances with the ineffectiveness of "non-violent civil disobedience" and many other the useless hoops activists jump through to change those who are destroying the planet. 9. Need a reason to boycott the Olympics? How about several reasons...?

10. Olympic Judo Medalist is Vegan. NBA star is Vegetarian.

I can't tell you how many times people insist that it is not possible to be a veg athlete. Who was the first NBA player to win championships with three different teams? If you said John Salley, then bravo. But you know what else John Salley is? A vegetarian. Also, Beijing 2008 Gold Medalist Ronda Rousey, who is the first US woman to win an Olympic medal in Judo, is a vegan. Click here to learn about other veg athletes.