Not KEDing Around: Keds Joins the Slew of Celebrity Endorsers
March 13th, 2006
Five
years ago, could you have imagined that someone as cool as Mischa
Barton would be endorsing Keds shoes? I sure couldn’t. At best, the
shoe line was synonymous with your grandmother or worse yet, your
completely un-hip third cousin from Oregon.
What’s more, I
could have never imagined then, when Keds was still “un-cool,†that I
would one day consider purchasing them… for MYSELF. Yet now, every time
I see one of those advertisements with Mischa in her stylish short
skirts and vintage tees, I want to race to the mall (and I don’t know
to which store because I don’t even know where they sell Keds) to get
me a pair fast. And when I’m staring at one of the amusing slogans like
“Cool Is Knowing Who You are,†I don’t want to trap the shoes in my
closet like I would have 5 years ago. I want to sport them as soon as
possible so as to show the world that I’m on top of the ball.
If you’re still not convinced that Keds is “cool,†wait ’til you hear
which other famous designers have contributed to the 90-year old
business? BCBG Max Azria, the designer who makes très beautiful
frocks, has contributed to Keds with a funky zebra-like pattern, as has
Chilean fashion designer Zero Maria Cornejo with a lurex linen skimmer.
Of course, the concept of celebrity endorsements is nothing
new. Sarah Jessica Parker appeared in ads for Gap. Nicole Ritchie
showed up in Bongo ads with then-fiance DJ AM. Gwyneth Paltrow has been
the face of Estee Lauder Pleasures. And how can we forget those
powerful Versace ads with Mama Madonna sitting behind a clear desk with
platinum blonde hair?
Do you buy it–literally? Do
celebrity endorsers entice you to purchase that shoe or handbag? Or do
they have the opposite effect on you? How much does fit matter between
the celebrity endorser and the product? Do you now associate
Keds with cool?
Go on, speak up: Let us know your thoughts by posting a quick comment or voting on our handy-dandy poll.
8 Comments
1. tgkedsgirl | March 16th, 2006 at 12:27 pm
Yes, I love keds, always have, always will. Mischa and the Veronicas being spokesmodels for them only makes it fashionable once again. That’s happened to the brand decade after decade.
2. Melody | March 16th, 2006 at 1:16 pm
Thanks for your insight, tgkedsgirl! Have you purchased any of the latest styles? If so, are they comfortable? Worth every penny?
3. WeizGurL | April 2nd, 2006 at 4:13 am
Sorry, my comment isn’t on Keds but on the fact that celebrities are a big influence on whether we buy a product or not. It is simply just that they look so good in them and we want to also. Everybody has a style not because it’s their own style but because they’re copying someone else. And I don’t mean that as a bad thing either. It’s just that we all get our styles from somewhere or another.
4. Melody | April 3rd, 2006 at 11:39 am
Very good point, WeizGurl. I agree with you that we get our style from outside influences. It’s a very sub-conscious process, and as you said, it’s not a bad thing. As humans, we can’t help but be inspired by cool things we see.
5. Heather | April 5th, 2006 at 6:04 pm
I’m not inspired by the Keds, but I want that blue dress she’s wearing in the “distressed” ad…She’s on top of a white car. Does anyone know who the designer is?
6. Melody | April 5th, 2006 at 6:53 pm
I don’t, but I have emailed Keds to ask. Hopefully they’ll know!
7. Melody | April 6th, 2006 at 10:18 am
I got a response re: the blue dress Mischa wore in the distressed ad….
Dear Melody,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the clothing in our shoe ad. The
clothing used in the ad is from several designers styled by a New York
stylist. We have no information regarding the clothes.
Thank you for your inquiry.
Sincerely,
Carmen
Consumer Relations
8. Allie | June 25th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Be sure to check out the new Keds Back to School Campaign launching in July! You’ll be sure to love the new styles coming soon at keds.com!