Clik here to view.
It’s only a lucky few who can say that Ciara sang “Happy Birthday” to them on their big day — her family, her friends, her high-profile Fashion Week cohorts. But at Keds’ 100th birthday celebration this week, the dance queen bombshell initiated a special serenade for the brand (whose latest campaign she fronts).A personalized Happy Birthday tune (and throwback performance of "Goodies,""Lose Control") was far from the only noteworthy moment of Wednesday night's bash, though. A massive timeline made up an entire wall of the party venue, spanning a century of Keds moments — from its canvas-topped, rubber-soled start in 1916 to this week's reveal of the latest spokeswomen. Guests mingled with members of the Keds Collective, including Allison Williams and Billie Whitehouse, and later walked away with personalized kicks in hand.
"The significance of Keds’ history is undeniable," the brand's president, Chris Lindner, says. "As Keds celebrates its centennial year, we hold a heightened focus on the importance of both the women wearing our sneakers out in the world as well as those who are shaping the brand from within." This thinking not only aligns perfectly with Keds' Ladies First initiative but might even have been the key to the brand's continued success. After all, it's not every day a fashion brand earns a 100th-birthday claim to fame. Jump ahead for an inside look at what happens when it does — stars and sneaker chandeliers included.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Not into the fresh, all-white, classic Keds? No problem. We had a custom studio onboard for that.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Take your pick.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Illustrator Ana Strumpf giving the canvas shoes her personal touch.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Definitive proof that sneakers and sexy dresses go hand-in-hand. Thanks, Ciara.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
What the bash looked like from Ciara's POV.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Harley Viera-Newton on the ones and twos for 100-year-old shoes.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Keds Collective member, Allison Williams, takes a closer look at the merch.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Shoefie!
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Let's just say this is unlike any other 100th birthday party you've been to.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Speaking of Ladies First, our own EIC, Christene Barberich, and chief revenue officer, Melissa Goidel, represent at the sneaker soiree.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Hey, remember when they looked like this?
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Getting that perfect frame.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
How you doin', Wendy Williams?
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
So many Keds-tagrams.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Shoe chandeliers were one of the evening's main decor features. What else?
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Here's to another 100!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Prepare Yourselves With This Guide To The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
A Look At How Plus-Size Women Have Been Marginalized By Fashion Throughout History
Let's Talk About Lane Bryant's Complicated #PlusIsEqual Campaign