Lifestyle News

Almost Too Cool For Feet
Move over, Michael Jordan. The world of fashion design — not sports — is the primary inspiration for the performance-oriented sneaker. First Paul Smith and Jil Sander teamed up with Puma. Then Reebok Classics kicked off a limited-edition trend, signing up Japanese artists such as Imai Toons and Risa Fukui to splash its footwear with Japanimation-inspired graphics. Hot on their heels is Y-3, Yohji Yamamoto's collaboration with Adidas. Fashionistas are scrambling to score their futuristic-looking unisex footwear for fall, including the ski-boot-like creation shown here. These are surely not for the foul line. -- By Kate Betts

Phone Pants
Dickies, the work pants worn by plumbers, are increasingly being worn by hipsters as well, even though the company doesn't make efforts to be fashionable. But it is keeping up with changing times with cell-phone pants, which have special pockets to store your mobile. -- By Lisa McLaughlin

Digital And Disposable
If you've been wanting to try your hand at digital photography but don't want to buy pricey equipment, this camera may be for you. It's the world's first 100% digital disposable camera, and it goes on sale at Ritz Camera Centers this week. For $10.99 you get an automatic flash, metered exposure control, a self-timer and — because it's digital — the option to instantly delete any pictures that don't pan out. The camera comes out of Pure Digital Technologies in San Francisco. Ritz does digital photofinishing in an hour, or you can use your printer. Walt Disney World Resorts will start selling the camera this fall. -- By Laura A. Locke