Bongo Boy visited the Open House Gallery at 201 Mulberry Street in NYC for the release of the STPL x Airwalk Footwear Collection. He caught up with man-of-the-hour Jeff Staple to speak about the collection and working with Payless. The video also features words from several other personalities in attendance including DJ Neil Armstrong, Emeka Obi, Dave Ortiz, Hawaii Mike, and more.

We get a first more detailed look at several styles from the STPL x Airwalk Fall/Winter 2009 Collection, designed by Jeff Staple and his Staple Design team. The line, which will be exclusive to Payless (other than The Reed Space), has certainly brought up many questions. From a pure aesthetic and design perspective this is certainly good news for both Airwalk and Payless.

The Fall/Winter 2009 Collection consists of low top and high top sneakers, as well as slip-ons. Premium materials have been used on the uppers, including exotic leathers, plaid and more. We like the more simple sneakers in the collection, which come in nice color combos for good price points. All footwear will go for under 50 USD.

Take a look at many more styles of the STPL x Airwalk Footwear Collection, which is on its way to stores now.

Airwalk is celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 540 model. The classic skate sneaker comes back this season in two new colorways, using all sorts of premium materials on the upper. On top of the re-release of the 540, they are also coming out for Fall 2009 with new colorways of their Velocity, Revert and Fahrenheit models. For oldschool Airwalk lovers they bring back the Vic Velcro and the Canvas Hi Tops. Look out for the new Airwalk Fall 2009 Footwear Collection later this summer.

Detailed images of the Airwalk Fall 2009 Footwear Collection follow after the jump.

After reveiling the first Staple x Airwalk sneaker last week, we can give you today a first look at an interesting upcoming collaboration. Staple worked together with Airwalk on a Star Trek sneaker. The sneaker comes in a silver metallic colorway, inspired by the Enterprise. The Star Trek logo appears in the form of a lace lock and also embroidered on the heel. Via Jeff Staple.

The Staple x Star Trek x Airwalk Terrain will released this weekend, May 8th, at The Reed Space, limited to 140 pairs.

Detailed images of the sneaker follow after the jump.

News about Staple working on a new Airwalk collection were received with mixed feelings, especially because of the association with Payless stores. Today we can give you a first full look at one of the sneakers that resulted out of the collaboration. The mid top sneaker comes in brown leather and aside from the laces keeps its subtle looks. Nothing to complain about, a clean and simple sneaker that will be retailing for no more than 50 USD when it comes out in August 2009. The Staple x Airwalk Collection will be made up of about 8 styles. We will keep you posted. Via Jeff Staple.

Take a more detailed look at the above Staple x Airwalk sneaker after the jump.

After years of not producing anymore the iconic Desert Boot by Airwalk, they have now come back into production, after the personal request by Beastie Boys memeber Adam Yauch. The shoe is back in production, but only in very limited quantities. There will be 300 pairs of the shoe and it will NOT hit retail. These 300 pairs are given out to people.

To celebrate the occasion, Airwalk is hosting the “Break The Mold” event on January 27th at the Hotel On Rivington. Details of the event follow after the jump.

Rare talent isn’t the only thing that was celebrated at this year’s SXSW Festival; rare sneakers are too.  A few lucky musicians and aficionados walked away with one of a select few Airwalk heritage styles that were reintroduced in Austin this year, including the eponymous Airwalk Vic Velcro. 
Originally introduced in 1987, Vic took on a life of his own, making an indelible mark in the industry as one of the most iconic skate styles of all time.  Vic Velcro’s “lace saver” flap was designed to help skaters from blowing out laces during aggressive sessions on in the pipe or on pavement.  The sleek high top is as innovative today, as it was back in the day, and even enjoys a viral fan base of skate and sneaker enthusiasts alike.
After two decades, the Vic Velcro embarked on a special domestic reunion tour as the marquee product at a special Airwalk presentation at the Spin/MySpace San Jacinto Saloon at the South by South West Music Festival in Austin, Texas from March 13-16th 2008.  As one of the select range of classic Airwalk styles available for men and women, the Vic Velcro is one of the first re-releases for the Airwalk brand and will not being sold to the general public.  The Vic Velcro took its place as one of the most coveted collectables items for attending performers, musicians, tastemakers and the music industry press.  Check out www.Airwalk.com for details on the Vic Velcro to come.

The year was 1994 and Airwalk had an instant hit with the “Jim” trio. In true irreverent skate fashion, the “Jim” styles poked fun at more traditional sports, with a hi-top made from goosepimpled basketball rubber, a fuzzy low style fashioned from tennis-ball fabric, and a golf-inspired style (not pictured) with a dimpled toe. Though these styles have been relegated to the archives, there are still some pairs in existence, that Airwalk has released now. Look out for them and worst case scenario, you will have to look on eBay.