Strolling in the French Quarter a few months back, I had my eye out for an object that would serve as the ultimate takeaway from a trip to New Orleans. What sort of item would sum up this spirited city? I didn’t have anything specific in mind, but shopping for a takeaway is kind of like shopping for a new home – you can’t always verbalize exactly what you want, but you definitely sense it’s right when you see it.
And there it was! Or should I say there they were? Perched in the window of Fifi Mahony’s (a fantastic wig shop in the Quarter) nestled a shimmery pair of Reebok hi-tops, all decked out in the Saints football team’s signature black and gold colors. The heels, stitched with the words “who dat” and “saints,” seemed particularly cool. (“Who Dat” is the Saints’ team anthem, aka “Who dat! Who dat! Who dat saying they gonna beat the Saints?”).
It turned out that the sneakers are a benefit for Preservation Hall’s Music Outreach Program. If you haven’t heard of it, Preservation Hall is one of the coolest, oldest jazz haunts around, and Ben Jaffe, the shoes’ designer, is the creative director of the organization. He’s also friends with the great people at Fifi Mahoney’s (hence the creative partnership). The sneakers are $180 a pair, and all proceeds benefit the program, which teaches children “the fundamentals of the New Orleans Jazz Tradition with an emphasis on group improvisation, rhythm and repertoire.”
The day after I spotted my takeaway, the Saints beat the Vikings and were catapulted to the Super Bowl. As the Quarter went nuts in celebration, I learned firsthand how to yell the “Who Dat!” chant, and felt now, more than ever, that these sneakers encapsulated two of NOLA’s great prides: jazz, its oldest love, and its Saints team, newly victorious. It was an emotional time in New Orleans, with residents viewing the win not only as a football victory but as a sign of ascendency for the city itself. One week later, the Saints did the unthinkable – they beat the Colts at the Super Bowl. With their first Super Bowl championship crown, New Orleans’ newscasters were practically in tears with elation. To locals, the Super Bowl crown meant that the Crescent City was back and better than ever.
Today, the word on the street is that New Orleans is back on its feet. What better way to revel in its triumph than with a pair of celebratory kicks?
Fifi Mahony’s
934 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70116-2702
(504) 525-4343