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This week, we here at Racked are celebrating all things shoe related. From the world's wackiest heels to the sneakers of our dreams, we'll be exploring the highs and lows of footwear. Welcome to Shoe Week 2013.
Alejandro Ingelmo by Elizabeth Lippman for Vogue
A couple years ago, inspired by the smoking hot talent behind our smoking hot shoes, our sister site Racked NY composed a list of sexy shoe designers. It was a wild success, if only in our most carnal fantasies. So now, thanks to Shoe Week, we have an excuse opportunity to drop in on them again and see what they're up to. We've also added a couple more names to the list because they're hot and they design shoes. It's a no brainer.
Matt Bernson via AshburySkies
1. Matt Bernson
Here, you'll see a footwear designer in his natural reclining pose, casually making sure his neck is still there: Matt Bernson is ready for the calendar. First, we were taken with Bernson's cool-girl boots and sandals; Then we were wooed by his boyish smile and sweet eyes. His wares might not be super well known outside of New York City, but you'll want to check them out after you're done checking him out. Not convinced? Since we last saw him he's done collabs with the socially conscious EDUN and the socially relevant DANNIJO. In short, he's a socially aware cutie. (Plus, if you need fantasy fodder, remember that before he designed shoes, he was a construction worker. Hard hats, ladies. Hard hats.)
Shawn and Shane via Getty
2 and 3. Shane and Shawn Ward of Shane & Shawn
Shane and Shawn are twins. Twins, people. Since we last lusted over their genetically similar be-muscled-ness, they've dyed their hair blonde, for better or for worse. And yet, we can't fault them for their hair choices because they continue to design footwear around comfort, and a portion of their sales goes to the V-Day Foundation, a charity that fights violence against women and created by Even Ensler of the Vagina Monologues. Their hair could be puke green and we would be drooling.
Image via INC.com
4. Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS
Blake's charitable company, TOMS, gives a pair of espadrilles to a child in need for every pair sold, and he might have gotten even better at the photo op with children since 2011. Adorbs.
5. Brian Atwood
Brian is still incredibly handsome and still taken—but now he's engaged to Dr. Jake Deutsch (a doctor!) And we recently learned that this former model has a sense of humor.
Edmundo Castillo via Getty
6. NEW ADDITION: Edmundo Castillo, Via Spiga creative director and his own eponymous line
Confession: That picture is deceiving. Edmundo Castillo is not a tall man. But just the right amount of scruff and puppy dog eyes makes up for it in spades. Also, he studied art in the Dominican Republic and collects works from the likes of Ruben Toledo and Anh Duong. He recently told WWD that for his first piece, a Chuck Price, "I had just started working at Donna Karan, and it was so [expensive] for me at the time. But it was one of those things that made me feel weak and made my heart go, 'Sigh, I want to have that.'" We know the feeling.
Alejandro Ingelmo by Elizabeth Lippman for Vogue
7. NEW ADDITION: Alejandro Ingelmo
For those who like their man broad shouldered and lightly tattooed, behold: Alejandro Ingelmo. The Florida-born, Cuban-American is known for his killer heels, but we're swooning over his recent soul searching visit to Cuba during which he sought out his grandfather's shoe empire, a pre-Castro relic that his family abandoned when they fled the country. He then used it to better understand the trade, his roots, and himself. A man committed to his family and his craft? Where do we sign up?
Obviously, hotness is a matter of taste, just like shoe preference, so feel free to add your additions to the comments below!
· Five Smokin' Hot Guys Who Happen to Design Shoes [Racked NY]
· All Shoe Week 2013 Coverage [Racked]
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