On the Zelen Blog you can read about Converse, Vans Shoes, Dr.Martens and more. You can also buy shoes with us as well!

It’s not just skateboarders who love Vans shoes for their comfort, style and durability. There are a number of big celebrities who have been spotted wearing these iconic sneakers on their feet.

It looks like the majority of celebs opt for the Vans Classic Slip-On shoe. Also, many of the same celebrities who love Vans shoes have been seen wearing Converse shoes too. It seems that both shoe brands are popular among stars who choose casual over glamourous most of the time, or are musicians!

Stars who like to sport Vans shoes include:

• Anne Hathaway
• Owen Wilson
• Ellen Page
• Avril Lavigne
• Zac Efron
• Drew Barrymore
• Dave Grohl
• Jason Segel
• Ashton Kutcher
• Justin Long
• John Krasinski
• Jared Leto
• Lucy Liu
• Matthew McConaughey
• Hugh Jackman

Feel free to add other celebrities who wear Vans to the comments. Also, check out our blog posts on celebrities who wear Converse, Havaianas flip-flops and Dr. Martens too.

Soulja Boy was recently in the news when he supposedly spent $55 million on a private jet. This proved to be false, but one piece of news that is true: he did just sign a $1.8 million deal with Converse.

If you aren’t familiar with Soulja Boy, he’s the young rapper who is best known for his catchy song “Crank That (Soulja Boy)”. The new Soulja Boy Chuck Taylor will be hitting the stores this winter. You may have seen the Converse ads featuring Soulja Boy and indie pop duo Matt and Kim doing a track called “I’m a Goner” (the music video aired on MTV2 earlier this week). The branding in the Converse ads is very minimal, with a Converse credit only appearing after the video ends.

Converse has done a few of these Three Artists, One Song campaigns. Other recent collaborations for the initiative include Hot City, Graham Coxon and Bill Ryder-Jones.

So far, that’s all we know about the Soulja Boy Chuck Taylor’s! Watch for them later this winter and check out the Converse ad here.

There are so many different shades of purple to choose from when it comes to fall fashions. There’s eggplant, grape, lavender, mauve…and many more. Along with subtle black, brown and gray tones, rich colours such as gold, purple and burgundy have always been in style for fall.

This year we’re seeing a number of designers using purple in their ready-to-wear collections. Popular design houses such as LC Lauren Conrad, Free People and H&M have used purple as a focal point in everything from handbags to blouses.

Shoe designers are no different – both Converse and Vans have released new fall 2011 looks that feature – you guessed it – purple. New from Vans this season: the Zapato Lo Pro Sweet Grape shoe. The Vans Zapato is a sneaker/boat shoe hybrid with white outsole that is perfectly matched with jeans or khakis. Check out the purple Vans Zapato. You can also read our earlier blog post devoted to the Zapato here.

From Converse, there’s the Spec Grape Wine Hi Top, and it’s not called “Grape Wine” just for its fruity purple shade. These unique purple Converse hi tops are made from grapewine vintage materials. Check out the purple Converse Spec Grape Wine Hi Top.

So, if you want to look grape for fall (sorry, we couldn’t resist!) consider coordinating your favourite fall pieces with complementary purple Vans and Converse shoes.

The hits from Vans keep coming: every year they release a number of new and improved lines that fit with the style of the season. Brand new for fall 2011 is the Vans Era 59, an updated version of the classic Era shoe, with a few trendy details such as a tartan lining and leather laces and detailing.

The original Era shoe was created in 1975 and bore the number 95 (originally all Vans shoes were called by a model number), quickly becoming the go-to shoe for skateboarders in Southern California. Skateboarders have always loved Vans for the waffle grip sole and durable construction, so we’re sure they’ll love the new Vans Era 59, which is sure to increase comfort and cushioning while skating. And, because it’s made of durable canvas, it will last on and off the board without showing wear and tear.

The Vans Era 59 comes in a variety of colours, including black, castlerock (grey) and navy. What’s your favourite colourway?

If you’ve seen earlier previews of Dr. Martens fall collection, then you know that the line largely features British-inspired saddle shoes and wingtips. Dr. Martens has just released a sneak peek at their Sharp Classics collection, which is quite similar to the other shoes and boots we’ll be seeing on store shelves this fall.

Dr. Martens has managed to remain an iconic brand among diehard 10 and 14-hole enthusiasts while also reinventing itself with sleek lines such as the Sharp Classics collection. This line of Dr. Martens is crafted from high quality materials and comes in rich colours like chocolate and burgundy. In the Dr. Martens Sharp Classics collection worth noting are the Langston Lace Boot, Adrian Tassel, and the Brogue Shoe. The Dr. Martens Brogue Shoe and the Adrian Tassel are also available in exclusive “Made in England” versions if you want to spend a bit more on an authentic.

Check out photos of the Dr. Martens Sharp Classics collection.

There are few things cuter than seeing a baby’s tiny toes in a pair of miniature sneakers. Converse baby shoes have been adorning the feet of hip babies everywhere for years, and have become a go-to gift for new parents-to-be. Every year, Converse releases a bunch of new styles, and that includes their pint-size versions!

Infant Converse shoes are ideal for small feet as they cushion and support, with a soft lining and quilted outsole. Here are two new styles of Converse baby shoes for fall 2011:

The Chuck Taylor Infant Hi Top: You’ve likely seen baby Converse shoes in sweet solid colours like blue and pink. However, this year Converse has added prints to the mix. Look for infant Converse shoes in a lively yellow and orange duck design and other cute animal patterns such as bunnies.

The Chuck Taylor Toddler Velcro Shoe: This one is a blast from the past that’s making a comeback for fall in darker colours such as black and grey. If you’re a parent of a toddler, you know how frustrating it can be to tie and re-tie your child’s sneakers. Converse takes the hassle out of kids’ shoes with the Chuck Taylor toddler shoe with velcro – easy and stylish!

One of the most iconic Converse shoes – the One Star – is back for Fall 2011! We haven’t seen Converse One Stars for awhile now, but it’s the most unique, updated version yet on the loose this September. Converse has had a huge influence music, sports, arts, culture and fashion for over 100 years, and it shows in each and every line they release, including the new and improved One Star.

For the ladies: The women’s Converse One Star shoe features a number of feminine details, such as latticework, pintucks and ruffles. For the guys: The men’s line of Converse One Star shoes are more rugged, with motocross styles, western detailing, and layered plaids rounding out the collection.

We’re also seeing a line of denim Converse One Star shoes for guys and girls. There are a number of denim Converse One Star options, including a selvage denim option with a red thread running down the side that will go great with jeans or khakis.

Also with a release date for fall 2011: the Converse One Star Seeker, a One Star chukka mid top sneaker that comes іn two classic suede colorways: rich brown and light beige.

Check out photos of the Converse One Star collection for fall here. Oh, and check out the Zelen Shoes selection of Converse shoes!

Here’s a new Vans collaboration that’s attracting quite a bit of attention. We’re seeing a lot of darker shades of Vans shoes this year, and the Hellz x Vans Fal 2011 collection is no different.

Hellz is an LA company that creates contemporary clothing for “rebellious youth.” Their clientele consists of everyone from artists and musicians to high school students. So, you can bet that the Hellz x Vans Shoes Collaboration is going to be an incredibly popular line.

The names of the Hellz x Vans shoes in this line are the Paityn Creepers and the Bailie Boots, and each one has a bag to match. The Hellz x Vans shoes fit with the company’s edgy vibe – they are dark with a gothic style. The Paityn Creepers feature zebra print on the toes and silver buckles on the side of the black shoe, while the Bailie Boots are all black, with two buckles adorning the ankle.

Want to see photos of the Hellz x Vans? Check them out here.

We’ve told you about a number of rock and roll Converse musical collaborations in the past. Converse has always had a huge appeal among rockers and fans for their edgy-yet-laid-back style. While we’ve shown you Converse from bands such as The Who, Metallica and The Grateful Dead, here a pair we haven’t shared much about: Kurt Cobain Converse.

The Kurt Cobain Converse shoes were produced as part of Converse’s 100th anniversary sales campaign, called “Welcome to the Converse Century.” The Kurt Cobain Converse shoes are unique in that they are covered in drawings and writing that was published in Kurt Cobain’s journals. Of course, the Kurt Cobain Converse are also distressed – the true way that Kurt wore them many times on stage. The final touch: Kurt’s signature on the upper.

There are several new releases of the Kurt Cobain Converse shoe, including a Converse One Star model and a series of high-top Chucks.

I wonder what Kurt Cobain would think of these limited-edition Converse shoes? Apparently, the product line comes with the full cooperation of Courtney Love and the Estate of Kurt Cobain.

It’s summertime and the surf’s up! Well, depending on where you live…but whether the ocean is in your backyard or you have to travel to get to the beach, you’ll look stylish in a pair of sweet shoes from the Vans Surf collection. We previously told you about two new releases this summer – the Bali and the Distressed E-Street – in a previous post. Let’s take a peek at two styles from the Vans Surf collection that are not what you’d expect from the iconic shoe company:

The Rata Vulc Hemp collection: Hemp has come onto the scene in a big way in the past few years, as people become more eco-conscious about the materials they’re wearing. You’ve got your choice of three colourways: black hemp/white, charcoal grey hemp/white and black hemp/lemon chrome/gum.

The Vans Delaney: One line that’s definitely new to the Vans Surf collection this year is a couple of really fashionable flip-flops for the ladies. You wouldn’t guess that the shimmery gold Delaney is a creation by Vans. With delicate straps and a sleek footbed, the Vans Delaney is ideal for the surf, sun and sand or for a more formal night out. Check out the Vans Delaney here.

Check out all the shoes in the Vans Surf collection 2011 here.