Alice + Olivia founder Stacey Bendet created a version of Keds' classic Champion style inspired by her spring collection. Available in four colors -- black, silver, pale pink and safari green -- each slip-on shoe is adorned with colored sequins and retails for $88.

"I don't think I removed Keds from my feet as a kid," Bendet said. "I can't even count how many pairs I had. We decided to do a collaboration that would bring a little Alice + Olivia fun to the 2010 Keds Champion."

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The Alice + Olivia collaboration is the first step Keds is taking in repositioning itself as a modern, fashion-forward brand. It plans to partner with other designers and artists who "can bring their own unique vision and creativity to the iconic Champion silhouette," said Keds president Kristen Kohler Burrows.

"This was a total collaboration, but there is nothing in the stores, from a creative point of view, that Bloomingdale's did not approve," said Michael Gould, chairman and chief executive officer. "What Bloomingdale's stands for is going to be embraced by Dubai." Gould and his team will be keeping close tabs on the Dubai stores, located in The Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest shopping centers. "We envision a monthly communication -- at least," he said.

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"The stores are inspired by 59th Street, with Arabian influences tenderly cushioned throughout. There is a modern, contemporary feel to these stores," said Shireen El Khatib, ceo of Al Tayer Insignia, the luxury arm of the Al Tayer Group. "We have insured that the Dubai Bloomingdale's stores will encapsulate a world-class retail experience including the best international brands, a contemporary store ambience and excellence in customer service."

The collection will be based on the construction of Ugg's sheepskin boots "with design details that embody the spirit of the Jimmy Choo brand," the two companies said in a statement.

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Tamara Mellon, president and founder of Jimmy Choo, said that alongside her own label, "Ugg Australia is the only other footwear I have in my wardrobe."

The closures, affecting mostly Foot Locker and Lady Foot Locker outlets in the U.S., would bring to 190 the number of shutterings for the fiscal year ending Jan. 30. The company had 3,601 stores as of Oct. 31.

Aside from the economic downturn, the athletic apparel and footwear chain has been hurt by a longer-running fashion shift toward casual shoes and away from sneakers. Foot Locker has reacted by lowering costs, closing stores and weeding out poorly performing products.

• $9.99 Clearance Blowout: Shop Men's, Women's, and Kids
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• 30% to 50% off select Women's EMU Boots

An overwhelming 96 per cent of women said they regretted having thrown away a pair of shoes, while only 15 per cent felt sorry at dumping a boyfriend. More than 1,000 women were questioned about their feelings towards their footwear and what they could remember about their shoes compared to their relationship memories. Experts said the reasons behind women's fondness for footwear were down to their shoe buying habits. Many women buy a new pair of shoes for a special occasion, like a wedding, birthday or special party. And much to their partner's annoyance, many women hang on old shoes, building up a sizeable collection by middle age, even if many go unworn most of the time.

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Glendon Lloyd, director of website tszuji.co.uk, which commissioned the survey, said: "These results show that women are even more attached to their footwear than previously thought. "People always think of women storing old love letters in a shoebox, but in many cases, the shoes themselves are even more precious."