DJ Clark Kent, an icon in the worlds of hip-hop and sneakers, has died.

“It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of the beloved Rodolfo A. Franklin, known to the world as DJ Clark Kent,” a statement shared Friday on his Instagram read. “Clark passed away Thursday evening surrounded by his devoted wife Kesha, daughter Kabriah and son Antonio.”

The statement continued, “Clark quietly and valiantly fought a three year battle with Colon Cancer, while continuing to share his gifts with the world. The family is grateful for everyone’s love, support and prayers during this time and ask for privacy as they process this immense loss.”

Franklin — known as “God’s Favorite DJ” — produced countless hits for rap icons, including Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G., Rakim and The Fugees, among countless others. His accolades in footwear, too, were remarkable.

Aside from being a go-to expert for all things sneakers and sneaker culture, he was a top-tier collaborator. His collabs included coveted work with Nike (including the “112” pack, which he told FN in 2019 was his proudest work in sneakers), as well as New Balance and K-Swiss. He also was responsible for multiple avant garde collaborations, including the iC1 sneaker he created with mattress company Serta in 2019 and his luxury take on the classic Adidas Forum High with audio software company Serato in 2022.

In an email sent to FN, Nike offered a statement on the passing of the sneaker legend.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and true cultural icon, DJ Clark Kent. At Nike, we were honored to collaborate with Clark on projects that celebrated not only his deep love for sneakers but also his unwavering dedication to pushing creative boundaries and elevating culture. His impact on the world of sneakers is beyond measure, with an influence that spans the globe and generations. Clark’s legacy will forever inspire future talent, leaving a lasting mark on our industry. Our hearts go out to Clark’s family, friends, and all those touched by his extraordinary talent, passion, and kindness. His presence will be greatly missed,” the brand said via statement.

Amid the celebrations for hip-hop’s 50th anniversary in August 2023, streetwear legend and Walker Wear founder April Walker spoke with FN about DJ Clark Kent, and said he’s one of the most influential people ever when it comes to sneakers.

“His passion for kicks culture has always been authentic. Clark Kent is from the early days, and he’s had such staying power. He’s been a tastemaker when it comes to kicks. His passion for sneakers has always been consistent, his voice has always been consistent, and you feel his authenticity. That energy creates confirmation in the culture, in the kick game,” Walker told FN. “He has served and consulted companies, and if you look at his social media game, we can all see how passionate he is and lends his voice to what he believes in for sneakers. That authenticity will always be the staying power. And the Air Force 1, it has just stood the test of time, and I give Clark credit for amplifying it. There are so many people who wear Air Force 1s, but Clark, it’s part of his uniform.”

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Zendaya and Tom Holland coordinated their outfits last night for the launch of the actor’s new non-alcoholic beer company Bero. Both dressed in rich burgundy tones, Zendaya picked out a pair of black Louboutin pumps to round out her look while Holland selected fresh white Prada sneakers.

Zendaya looked fashionable in a custom leather Louis Vuitton gown featuring a V neckline and delicate spaghetti straps. The dress was fitted and fell to the ground with slits along the side offering her legs some freedom. A gold belt detail in front brought glamorous intrigue to the outfit and picked up her dainty gold necklace. Meanwhile, Holland matched his girlfriend with a short-sleeved crew neck shirt in a red wine hue. He paired the shirt with a pair of black trousers to create a casually chic menswear look.

In classic fashion, Zendaya went with a pair of shiny black Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps. The shoes featured a sharp toe, steeply sloped sole and towering stiletto heel. With her stylist Law Roach helping to curate her looks, Zendaya has for many years been a champion of the So Kate style, which gets its name from Kate Moss.

She’s worn many variations of the shoe — in an outfit which paid homage to Cher at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this month, she slipped into a gold embossed So Kate pump. Moreover, she frequently wore a white version while promoting the film “Challengers.”

While Zendaya stayed loyal to Louboutin, Holland, on the other hand, wore a pair of clean white lace-up sneakers from Prada; the shoes bore the brand’s triangular logo on the side.

Zendaya was in the city yesterday ahead of the event in a casual look consisting of a tank top, baggy pants and a pair of sneakers from On, with whom she has a multi-year partnership.

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Tommy Mallet is ready to set the record straight.

Indeed, after nearly a year of legal entanglements with his former business partner, the 32-year-old entrepreneur and reality star is making his footwear industry comeback on his terms.

“I think everyone wants to know what’s going on,” Mallet told FN in an exclusive interview. “I’m literally getting thousands of messages. It has been a very hard and serious journey for me the last few months.”

Since December, Mallet, who’s real last name is Fordham, has been fighting an injunction filed by Mallet London cofounder and business director Evren Ozka following the announcement of his new shoe brand CTRNE.

According to legal documents, Ozka was alleging that Mallet could not launch a competing shoe company like CTRNE, work with previous retail partners and sales agents or poach Mallet London staff for the 12 months following his resignation from the company per a non-compete agreement. But Mallet countered the claim stating that CTRNE does not compete with Mallet and that halting his new self-funded business operations would produce enough financial damage to cause him to close entirely.

FN has reached out to Ozka for comment.

Mallet told FN that that the main retailer his former business partner was worried he would bring CTRNE to was Saks Fifth Avenue, but ultimately, he was restricted in doing business with a total of 10 different stores, he said.

Ultimately in April, a judge ruled to enforce Mallet’s non-compete and bar him from doing business with retailers that currently work with his eponymous shoe brand as well as hire previous colleagues until Oct. 31, 2024 — the one-year mark from when he resigned his director position at Mallet London.

“I don’t want to do any damage to either of my businesses, as I still own 50 percent of Mallet London, so I agreed to not talk to retailers through Oct. 31,” Mallet said. “It’s what I’ve had to do. I had to go and take a long holiday. I’ve lost a lot of money, but I’m at the end of this now. I’ve got another kid on the way in November, and I don’t want to have to deal with this mess. So, all that the injunction has done to me was make me even more eager to go out and get to work. I’m ready to go.”

Mallet went on to call Nov. 1 basically a “relaunch day” for when he can actually do what he wants with CTRNE going forward. And he hasn’t been resting on his laurels beforehand. During his downtime related to the injunction, Mallet said that he has been busy working to understand CTRNE’s customer, developing new footwear styles and building out the brand’s infrastructure.

“When I first launched CTRNE, there was a lot of excitement around the brand,” Mallet said. “But I sort of lost some of that buzz because I had to deal with this legal sh*t. But everything happens for a reason. We are still the first spiritual footwear brand in the world, and we have a story to tell. But I’m literally starting from scratch.”

The UK sneaker exec said that he has launched a new U.S. version of his brand’s e-commerce site, signed on a new marketing agency to promote this new site and has added a distribution center stateside to improve delivery times.

“My main priority right now is to pick who my retailers are in the States,” Mallet said. “I definitely want to open my own retail store over there, because I want to be able to give the full experience of CTRNE. I’ve also done a partnership in the paddle space. We’ll be affiliated to paddle as a sport, and then we’ll also be doing a lot of workshops where we’re not just doing fashion, but like teaching manifestation and law of attraction, and bringing that positivity to the community. We are not just trying to sell sneakers in stores. It’s about teaching and brining the experience to people and showing them that anyone can be better.”

But in the meantime, Mallet insists that there is “no bad blood” between him and Ozka. “I still own 50 percent of Mallet London and I’m still a shareholder. Whether anyone likes it or not, I still co-own the business,” Mallet insisted. “I may not be a part of the daily operations, but it’s in my interest to try and just keep both brands alive, which is tough when you’re fighting. But I ain’t going nowhere.”

He does admit, however, that perhaps he may have made some wrong decisions throughout the process of launching CTRNE. “Everyone is human, and everyone makes mistakes,” he noted. “I think I might have said a few things that I shouldn’t have said, but with that said, my partner thinks he should be getting the brand for free. That’s what this is all about. And obviously, no one’s getting nothing for free from me, man.”

“I thought I knew it all before, but turns out, I knew nothing,” Mallet admitted. “I learned that making sneakers is the easy part. Having been through so many different emotions over the last six months, I would never with it on my worst enemy. I’ve really had to put the message of my sneakers into action and have a taste of my own medicine.”

Bottom line, Mallet is ready to chart a new path. “I think I’ve been done well to stay quiet this long,” he added. “But it wasn’t for anything other than I was just enjoying my peace. But time’s up now.”

That Rihanna reign just won’t let up. This time, we are referring to her latest release: The Fenty x Puma Avanti sneakers. 

In a unique twist, Rihanna hosted a press conference in Los Angeles to unveil her latest creation. Instead of the usual crowd of journalists, she welcomed a group of enthusiastic kids as the only questioners. The Fenty Beauty founder enlisted the help of young influencers like Jazlyn “Jazzy” Guerra, Bowie Layne Barcena, twins Alexis and Ava McClure, Jabria McCullum and more for the new campaign to promote her sneaker. And the group full of the internet’s favorite youngsters couldn’t be more adorable. 

With football as her inspiration, Rihanna redefines the concept of “Soccer Mom” by blending fashion, sportiness, and comfort effortlessly. The striking new colorways of the Fenty x Puma Avantis are now available for purchase at Puma.com, offering a fresh take on athletic footwear.

Drawing inspiration from football legends, the Avanti style is an elevated take on classic sneakers. It features premium leather, touches of gold, and retro gum soles. Romeo Beckham and many others have been spotted wearing this Fenty x Puma sneaker in the latest campaign. The design also showcases a soft leather upper, attached fold-over tongue in leather, lace closure, brown leather lining, EVA foam wedge midsole, gum outsole and Fenty x Puma co-branding details.

Puma, a global sports brand, specializes in designing, developing, and selling footwear, apparel, and accessories. With a 75-year history, Puma drives innovation by crafting products for top athletes. It offers performance and lifestyle products across various categories. Through collaborations, Puma integrates sports influences into street culture and fashion. The Puma Group includes Cobra Golf and stichd, reaching customers in over 120 countries.

Rihanna first partnered with Puma in 2014 as the creative director and brand ambassador appearing in advertisements in 2015. In 2016, the debut colorway collection was launched with a live-streamed fashion show. The multifaceted star is no stranger to a shoe collaboration, given she’s worked with huge brands like Manolo Blahnik, Amina Muaddi, along with Puma.

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Amid an increase in recent robberies targeting young people wearing expensive designer sneakers, Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department is working to alert locals about the rise in shoe thefts.

In a new crime alert, D.C. police noted that sneakers often valued between $600 and $1200, have recently become a target for thieves. In the alert, sneaker models from brands like Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Amiri and Lanvin were highlighted as prime targets for thieves.

To help keep everyone safe, the local police department is urging the community to be aware of this situation and to take the following safety precautions.

1. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings: Always be mindful of who is around you, especially when walking alone or at night. If you notice any suspicious activity, trust your instincts and move to a well-lit or populated area.

2. Walk in Groups: Thieves are less likely to target individuals who are walking with others. Encourage your children and teens to walk with friends or family members whenever possible.

3. Avoid Displaying High-Value Items: If possible, avoid wearing high-end designer sneakers or other valuable items in public, especially in unfamiliar or isolated areas. Thieves may be watching for opportunities to strike.

4. Use Main Roads and Well-Lit Paths: Stick to busy, well-lit streets and avoid shortcuts through alleys or isolated areas. Thieves are more likely to target individuals in secluded areas.

5. Be Cautious on Social Media: Discourage youth from posting about expensive items, such as designer sneakers, on social media, especially in real-time. Thieves may use social media to identify potential targets.

6. Keep Valuables Secured: If you must carry expensive sneakers or other valuable items, consider carrying them in a secure bag and avoid drawing attention to them.

7. Report Suspicious Activity: If you or someone you know is approached by individuals acting suspiciously, or if you witness a robbery in progress, contact MPD immediately.

“We are committed to ensuring the safety of our community and will be increasing patrols in areas where these incidents have occurred,” the D.C. police notice said. “Please stay alert and do not hesitate to report any suspicious behavior. Together, we can work to prevent further incidents and keep our community safe.”

This all comes just a week after three students were robbed at gunpoint for their $1,000 Balenciaga shoes and Jordan sneakers in Southeast, D.C., according to police.

Ivanka Trump is sharing the wealth by showing her fans her favorite workout regimen and her go-to gym sneakers. The businesswoman posted a video compilation on Instagram to the tune of Megan Thee Stallion and Yuki Chiba’s hit song “Mamushi,” and gave a glimpse into the key exercises that she relies on to stay in shape.

Trump shared various clips of her routine and she is spotted wearing Lululemon‘s Chargefeel 2 Low Workout shoe, which were designed as a cross between a running shoe and a training shoe. That combination comes in handy as the entrepreneur, and daughter of former President Donald Trump, said that she has incorporated weight lifting into her workouts recently and has already noticed a difference.

“Hi Everyone! I’ve been getting a lot of questions about my workout routine since I reposted a video with my trainer, so I thought I’d share a bit about my fitness journey,” she captioned the post this week. “Like many women, I used to focus primarily on cardio, yoga, and Pilates. Since moving to Miami, I have shifted my focus to weightlifting and resistance training, and it has been transformative in helping me build muscle and shift my body composition in ways I hadn’t imagined.”

In the clip, she breaks down five exercises that she now focuses on, including barbell squats, deadlifts, TRX rows, lat pull downs and curtsy lunges, which she said has made her “stronger” than ever.

“I also incorporate a couple of short (10 min), high-intensity interval training sessions (such as sprints) each week to keep my cardiovascular fitness sharp and dynamic,” she added. “This balanced approach has infused new energy into my fitness routine and yielded great results. That’s said, this is all highly personal in that what works is what you will actually do consistently.”

To get in her best shape yet, Trump has been relying on the lightweight Chargefeel 2 Low sneakers. The Lululemon sneaker is designed to function for both strength training and cardio. It features a smooth liner for comfort and a dual-density midsole and a pressure-mapped outsole to ensure that the wearer’s weight is evenly distributed.

The Chargefeel 2 is available in two styles and three colorways. The Low hits under the ankle, while the Mid version hits above the ankle. While Trump was wearing the all-white colorway, it also comes in silver and jade. The gym shoe is available on the Lululemon website for $138.

The Vancouver, British Columbia-based athleisure brand launched the original Lululemon Chargefeel, its second sneaker style, in July 2022.

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Julez Smith, 19-year-old budding model and son of Solange Knowles, displayed a dapper look at Burberry’s Oct. 16 event celebrating the reopening of its 57th Street flagship store in New York City.

Among a long list of guests from the entertainment and fashion realms, Smith made an appearance at the event in an ensemble evoking classic Burberry energy. Over an off-white crewneck top, he wore a zip-up hooded jacket bearing a variation of the tartan print the brand is so strongly associated with. This particular pattern features hues of beige and black (forgoing the well known red accents); the jacket also includes an appliqué of the British company’s Equestrian Knight logo in the corner. Smith appeared to be modeling Burberry’s Reversible Check Jacket, which is marked at a price of $1,790 and features a solid tan color on the opposite side. The jacket complemented a pair of slouchy gray pants with a crease down the front.

For his footwear, Smith opted for a pair of shoes in an olive green hue. They resembled Burberry’s Leather Stock Sneakers in a shade called Loch, which retail for $790. The shoes feature a perforated outline of the Equestrian Knight logo on the sides; the logo is also on the tongue while Burberry lettering is found on the sole. With a slightly chunky silhouette, the Italian-made shoes feature a square toe with rounded corners and a lace-up closure. Adding a vibrant pop of color to the design are hints of cobalt blue patterning the laces.

Additional friends of Burberry at the event included Cher, Carmelo Anthony, Cara Delevingne, Tyra Banks and more stars.

An up-and-coming model, Smith has been booked and busy as of late. He walked in an Off-White show during New York Fashion Week in September wearing a pair of red and black flip-flops; he later walked in a Jil Sander show during Milan Fashion Week, where Solange was in attendance wearing unique black fuzzy sandals. Smith was also a guest at On’s U.S. Open event held in New York City in late August, another moment where he showed off his decisive style.

Zendaya’s latest campaign with On has generated $1.7 million in Media Impact Value (MIV) in 48 hours, according to Launchmetrics. Unveiled Oct. 15, the campaign finds Zendaya posing in the bucolic Swiss Alps as she models items from the brand’s fall 2024 Movement collection and the Cloudtilt sneaker.

Launchmetrics reports that Zendaya’s Oct. 15 Instagram post alone generated $1.2 million in MIV. She shared content from her trip to the brand’s native Switzerland in addition to the short video that was released as part of the campaign. Data was monitored between Oct. 15 and Oct. 17 online and on social media — Launchmetrics expects to numbers to increase.

Launchmetrics says that the original announcement revealing that Zendaya would serve as brand ambassador generated $3.5 million in MIV. The news was unveiled in June and detailed that the actress had signed a multi-year deal with the Swiss company which would include contributions to select collections, products and creative campaigns.

Per On, the latest campaign with Zendaya “highlights the importance of new experiences by way of movement, exploration and human connection.”

Zendaya said in an official statement, “Spending time with On in Switzerland was incredibly inspiring. People are always outside exploring the natural landscape, which is so refreshing. I loved going on a walk around the lake and getting gelato in town.” She continued, “My day is always better when I’m finding joy in the little things, like connecting with new people and enjoying nature when I can. I think this campaign really embraces that feeling.”

As the numbers show, celebrity ambassadors can play a significant role in boosting revenue. In 2021, it was estimated that Beyoncé’s Instagram post for a Tiffany and Co. partnership was worth $2 million in MIV.

Billie Eilish is teasing a soon-to-be-released footwear collaboration with Converse. The superstar took to social media on Oct. 15 to post a photo of herself holding a shoe reading “And Soft” on the bottom, a nod to her most recent album “Hit Me Hard and Soft.”

Eilish posted the photo to her Instagram story with the side eye emoji, suggesting fans should anticipate a forthcoming release. She appeared to be holding a Converse sneaker bearing the brand’s signature midsole with a thin black line and recognizable outsole featuring a geometric pattern. “And Soft” was written in capital block letters across the outsole, suggesting the collaboration would pay homage to her third studio album, which was released in May 2024; the record features tracks like like “Birds of a Feather” and “Wildflower.”

Converse then confirmed Wednesday that Eilish’s designs of the Chuck Taylor All Star ($100) and Chuck Taylor All Star Lift Platform ($110) models will be offered starting Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. ET on the customizable Converse By You platform. Fans will be able to tweak Eilish’s Converse designs to their liking using lyrics, colors and graphics from “Hit Me Hard and Soft.”

Eilish has proven herself to be a Converse fan in the past, having donned a pair of black Chuck Taylor All Star high top sneakers when she appeared at the climate activism event Overheated last year. She paired the shoes with black crew socks from Nike, another brand she’s worked with and often reaches for. She wore an ultra-rare pair of black Nikes with red plaid accents in the music video for “Birds of a Feather” and slipped on chunky Nike Air sneakers when she performed in celebration of the Olympics coming to Los Angeles.

When it comes to her forays into footwear, she has collaborated with Nike to release a range of shoes, including reinterpretations of the classic Air Force 1 style and the Air Alpha Force.

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Ground Up International has partnered with Walmart to release exclusive sneakers inspired by “Wicked” ahead of the film’s release in November.

The high top sneakers take inspiration from the widely loved characters Elphaba and Glinda, who are strongly associated with the colors green and pink, respectively. The shoes feature pink and green ombre in addition to silver glitter accents and white twill laces. “Defy Gravity” is written on the back of the right shoe in homage to Elphaba while “Perfectly Pink” is on the right shoe in honor of Glinda. Additional details include night sky imagery decorating the tongue of the sneaker, a “Wicked” ornament on the laces, colorful eyelets and more features inspired by the story. The shoes are available now for $28.

Ground Up and Walmart are just two companies taking part in the “Wicked” craze before the film hits theaters next month. Aldo unveiled a collection including a plethora of pink and green footwear options which will be released Oct. 17. Ariana Grande, who has been method dressing as Glinda in recent times, wore a custom pair of Aldo pumps to match a Rodarte dress while hosting “Saturday Night Live” this past weekend.