For the Spring/Summer 2012 season, CLAE is pleased to introduce the Powell. Delivering all the classic elements of a saddle shoe, the style features a unique brogue detailing to create a modern wingtip sneaker. SADDLE Considered to be the grandfather of modern athletic footwear, saddle shoes were originally designed for tennis and squash players. The ‘saddle’ supported the instep, keeping the shoe tight during intense maneuvers on the court. Although the tennis and squash players moved on, the sporty yet classy look of the saddle were a perfect choice for many on the dance floor during the 1950s. BROGUE The Brogue detail appeared on the highly functional shoes found on the workingmen of Scotland and Ireland. The perforated leather featured holes, acting as a drain during the rainy seasons, which allowed these men to work in the damp bogs. The brogue detail has evolved from the utility found in the countryside work shoe to today’s modern footwear, where this detail can be found on dress shoes as well as sneakers. The CLAE Powell is a sophisticated update to your day-to-day footwear. Available in Midnight Leather, Black Leather and Gravel Nubuck colorways.