Spring has sprung, and in Chicago, that means it’s time for standout sneaks, glittering gladiators and striking heels, even if the weather right now is downright snowy. According to Akira co-owner and footwear buyer Erikka Wang, “Color is always fun in the spring. It’s the time of year when women get excited to shy away from blacks, grays and browns and step into hot pinks and floral prints.” This season, she points out, “Footwear has seen a plethora of trends.” She says that some of the most popular styles in her stores include architectural heels, hidden platform pumps and, “the most popular shoe of the season,” gladiator sandals. Still, she says, classics like the pointy-toed stiletto are “still a great seller for your working woman looking for a staple suit shoe.”

Akira

Wang, along with co-owners Jon Cotay and Eric Hseuh, understands just how easily key trends bloom and catch on, like wild fire. The three originally opened the first Akira in 2002 as a women’s apparel store in the trendy Wicker Park/Bucktown neighborhood and, today, they operate six stores, two of which are completely dedicated to footwear. BCBG, L.A.M.B., Naughty Monkey, Seychelles and Bronx are just some of the brands they carry. Wang believes that “keeping constant innovation” will stave off a poor retail market, which is why her store holds plenty of events, keeps in touch with its clients and focuses on customer service. Just this past weekend, in fact, they put on a fashion show hosted by reality TV star Kim Kardashian.

Wang also has her eye on fall ’08. “Next season,” she says, “we’re going to start seeing peep-toe booties, so women are going to have to accept the open-toe look with tights.” Other key looks include fringed boots, patent leather boots for cold weather, ankle boots and the oxford. Here’s a look at what’s flying off of her shelves right now for spring ’08.

Cesario by Creative Recreation

Price:

Retails for $90

Why It’s A Top Seller:

“In terms of sales,” says Wang, “the Akira State Street store has one brand of shoes that blows everything else out of the water—Creative Recreation.” She describes the most popular style as “an urban style hi-top that comes in everything from black patent leather to army green print.” The sneakers retail around $90 and have created their own niche in the downtown store.

Ginger by Sam Edelman

Price:

Retails for $89

Why It’s A Top Seller:

“Coming close to those sales in Bucktown is this gladiator sandal by Sam Edelman,” Wang says. “It was recently featured in Harper’s Bazaar, so our Bucktown store has been getting hundreds of phone calls for the sandal.”

Lourdes by Pour La Victoire

Price:

Retails for $179

Why It’s A Top Seller:

“Pour la Victoire’s Lourdes is doing well and is a very attractive shoe,” Wang explains. “The shoe has a hidden platform, 5-inch heel, a double strap around the ankle and comes in this nude patent with a powder pink accent. It’s gorgeous.”

Betty by Corso Como Shoes

Price:

Retail for $119

Why It’s A Top Seller:

“It’s a great, all-leather Mary Jane,” Wang says. “This shoe comes in brown, black and ivory, too.”

Roulette by Carlos by Carlos Santana

Price:

Retails for $89

Why It’s A Top Seller:

“Both of our stores are selling this new pump called Roulette by Carlos Santana very well. The shoe is a blue psychedelic open-toe pump.”

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