In print too small to read, Bill Cunningham of the New York Times writes:

“ON THE RIGHT FOOT: Elaborately decorated sneakers are playing a starring role. A trend not unlike the highly embellished women’s handbags at the turn of this century, it is definitely a men’s thing, although women are showing variations. This winter, Saks Fifth Avenue devoted five prime windows just to sneakers. Some with wings echo Mercury, and others are decorated with chains or bones, and then there are sneakers with contrasting laces.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/27/fashion/bill-cunningham-on-mens-sneakers.html?_r=0