January 26, 2006—After a year that included a CFDA award, two well-received collections, and a new store in SoHo, Alexandre Plokhov isn’t resting on his laurels. “I want Cloak to be a full wardrobe company, with everything from shoes to underwear to suits to evening wear," the Russian-born, New York-based designer says. His first, ahem, step in that direction is the shoes. Debuting at the Cloak store and Barneys next month, the fledgling footwear line consists of two distinct styles—a lace-up and a "desert boot"—both of which, Plokhov says, draw their inspiration from “hyper-stereotypes of maleness…Lawrence of Arabia, British explorer type stuff.”Materials include canvas, leather, and—this being Cloak—scorched suede, and the shape features a slight toe-box lift for a worn-in look. As you’d expect from a trained tailor, the finished product is meticulously crafted, with heavy topstitching and old-fashioned hobnail heel treatments. When asked who manufactures them, Plokhov demurs: “Commercial secret—let’s just say they’re made in Italy.” Fine by us, as long as they’re able to keep up with demand.
Available in February at Cloak, 10 Greene St., NYC, (212) 625-2828, and Barneys New York, 660 Madison Ave., NYC, (212) 826-8900, www.barneys.com
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— Andy Comer
From Men.style.com
