This article appears in print in the April 2020 issue. Click here to subscribe.

John Fluevog Shoes is known for alternative designs worn by the likes of Madonna, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. This year, the brand’s namesake founder is celebrating his 50th anniversary in the shoe business with a coffee table book titled Fluevog: 50 Years of Unique Soles for Unique Souls ($50), filled with eye-catching images of his iconic, trend-defying designs.

Seattle played an important role in the brand’s evolution: After launching his first store in 1970 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Fluevog opened a Seattle location in 1985. The storefront at Second Avenue and Pine Street was the designer’s first in the United States and the birthplace of Fluevog’s famed Angel boots, an environmentally friendly grunge mainstay worn by the “cool kids,” according to Fluevog. Our fair city also inspired The Seattle Family line of shoes and boots, which was designed to balance youthful style and heritage techniques with smooth leather and comfort à la memory foam insoles.