Japanese fast fashion is full of promise. Uniqlo has a strong presence in the country and is now a global player. Retail innovations such as the Tokyo Girls Collection events draw 20,000 attendees hoping to buy mid-priced runway looks via cell phones. Meanwhile, in Tokyo, we discovered Steady, a delightfully quirky line of shoes that could very well be the next contender on the accessories front.

For s/s ’09, Steady rocked the runway with high-stepping kicks and killer flair. These creative heels are leading the way to a new era of shoe design, from the artistic—pumps with an acrylic lightning-bolt heel, a wool insole (clouds), undulating platform (waves) and splattered
patent-leather body (rain)—to the downright kooky—round pumps
inspired by the hoodie sweatshirt, complete with a knit hood and
retro curved heel.

Other selections include a gym sneaker-inspired model that features a towering rubber wedge heel covered in comic book motif, and a pair of charming open-toe sandals that include interchangeable jewelry chains. Of these, non-traditional embellishments, designer Yusuke Ando explains: “We like to think of our shoes as being on the edge of Real Clothes.” Sure enough, at under $200 they’re a fun, edgy, fashion experiment with wide-reaching appeal.

For more information, contact Steady at: steady@alto.ocn.ne.jp.

—Misha Janette