Shoes et al.—A Compilation

Vending machine distributes shoes

2009-05-30T19:18:00.000-07:00

By Patrick Stafford

Two new start-ups in Britain have created a new service that provides flat-soled shoes for women distributed through vending machines.

Both companies have set up their machines near nightclubs, targeting young women who are looking to change out of high-heeled shoes into more comfortable footwear for a trip home.

One of the new products, "Rollasoles", sell for $10, look similar to ballet shoes, come in four colours and are even purchased with a matching carry-bag. Two of the vending machines were trialled at different nightclub locations, and quickly sold out.

Another company has produced "Afterheels" which sell for the same price, but the manufacturer claims the shoes will last longer, being made from natural and recyclable materials.

The mysteries of Chinese shoe etiquette, ancient and modern

2009-05-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

By: Peter Foster
Source

Moving to a new country always requires a certain amount of adjusting to local mores and customs and, for the first few months at least, there is always that nagging fear for the new arrival that he's going to inadvertently put his foot in it. And last weekend, alas, I did. Both of them.

I should tell you that it's suddenly summer in Beijing, the fruit blossoms have wilted or been blown away by the spring winds and the pleasant warmth of that all-too fleeting season has been replaced by the first sultry breaths of summer.

Anyway, this change in the weather explains why I was to be found lounging with my children on the lawns in my apartment complex, playing football and Frisbee on Saturday morning, shod only in a pair of rusty-buckled Birkenstock sandals (cork soles, no smells!). My toddler, pottering loyally after her elder brother, was shod in nothing at all.

I should perhaps have guessed at what happened next, since several times this week I've had complete strangers ticking me off as I pushed the youngest around town in her stroller, kicking her bare feet at the passing world like a can-can girl. A lady in the bank was particularly upset, grabbing the toddler's feet to howls of protest.

My Chinese still being rather basic, I had assumed these comments were aimed either at my poor parenting skills or were a manifestation of the Chinese habit of wrapping children up until they are on the point of expiring from heatstroke, although perhaps the 30C temperatures should have alerted me to the fact that there was something more serious afoot.

Anyway, by the time I padded across the garden to visit the coffee shop located in our apartment complex, I too was in bare feet, having kicked off my sandals in pursuit of the toddler, the football and her ever-energetic brother.

I didn't even get within 50 metres of the door to the shop when I was accosted by a man - a perfect stranger who was trimming a nearby hedge - pointing at my feet. Even my Chinese was up to translating his wagging finger. "NO SHOES!"

Soon a second man (unidentified male, passer-by) had joined in, alerted by the spectacle of the barefoot foreigner. He was even more hysterical than the first guy. "NO SHOES!! NO SHOES!!" he said, tapping his own furiously. It was as if I'd forgotten to put my trousers on, not my shoes.

Can someone help me here? What is about wearing no shoes in public that is such a no-no? Is it a hygiene issue? Or perhaps a purely social one? I don't know, but it's not a mistake I shall be repeating.

Perhaps it's a year in New Zealand that has corrupted my sense of what's normal. No-one wore shoes in Golden Bay if they could possibly help it, and I seem to remember walking round the park in India barefoot most of the time.

I've had it suggested that this no-shoe-taboo is connected with a belief that you get sick if you don't wear shoes, which I can see in winter, but not in the blazing heat of summer.

I've found a long article on shoe etiquette in the Zhou Dynasty (1100-256 B.C.) where bare feet were taboo for ceremonial purposes. And another telling of the Western Jin (265-317) ruler who, in his distaste for merchants, decreed that their footwear should comprise one black and one white shoe to make them all look the same.

And yet a third on the stipulations of the The Qing Dynasty that bright yellow footwear was reserved solely for the emperor, golden yellow shoes were for nobles, and those of an apricot-yellow shade were for the common people.

But I'm not sure any of that is really very helpful. All and any cross-cultural enlightenment will be gratefully received.

2009-05-15T21:23:00.000-07:00

High heels which double as flippers Photo: National PIctures

Known as High Tide Heels, they combine the elegance of stiletto heels with the swimming speed of flippers.

They could provide a fashionable alternative for sun-seekers who don't want the hassle of changing footwear every time they cool off with dip in the sea.

But don't expect to see thousands of tourists ditching their flip flops and sandals in favour of High Tide Heels this year.

The shoes were created by the Belgian artist Paul Schietekat for an exhibition in 2006, and there are not thought to be any plans to release them commercially.

Even so, similar designs are causing excitement among style-conscious travellers on shoe websites.

One commenter wrote: "Great for crazy fashionistas who don't want to be seen without heels even at the beach.

"I think Posh Spice should adopt this style, she almost always wears heels."

But others thought they would be too uncomfortable for practial use, with one commenter writing: "I am sorry but these of got to be the weirdest style of shoes I have ever seen.

"I cannot begin to imagine how in the world you would walk in them without tripping over you feet."

Source

Papal shoes in mosque cause controversy

2009-05-15T21:11:00.000-07:00

As controversy surrounds the Pope's shoes in a mosque in Amman, a Vatican spokesman insists that it would be "absolutely wrong to make a problem" out of the issue.

The controversy was sparked when Pope Benedict XVI kept on his shoes during a keynote address to Muslim leaders in a Jordan mosque.

However, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the Pope meant no disrespect to Islam when he entered the Al-Hussein mosque.

"Benedict XVI was ready to take them off but his escorts led him down a special walkway and did not ask him to do so," the spokesman said.

The controversy aroused at a time when the pontiff is seeking to mend fences with the Muslim world during his Middle East tour.

Source

Offender's high heels keep court on toes

2009-05-15T21:09:00.000-07:00

By Steven Morris
Guardian.uk

Woman claiming medical condition barred from community work

Most turn up in trainers or tough old boots, but Debbie Stallard arrived to do her community service in shiny black leather boots with impressive four-inch heels.

Officials patiently explained that the fashionable footwear was simply not appropriate for the sort of manual work she was expected to take part in, only to be told by Stallard that she had to wear high heels because of a medical condition.

No compromise could be found and Stallard found herself back in court explaining why she could not wear flat footwear because of the shape of her feet.

Stallard, a newsagent from Paignton, Devon, was convicted on 16 February of two counts of damaging a vehicle and one of failing to provide a breath specimen. To pay off her debt to society, she was due to do 80 hours of unpaid work such as cleaning graffiti and mending fences.

A probation officer, Heidi Randle, told Torquay magistrates: "She attended on the date required but was sent away because she was wearing four-inch heels. The shoes were not in line with health and safety requirements. She stated she wore them because of a medical problem and could wear open-toed shoes.

"Shoes have to be flat and not open. We tried to contact the GP in this case and received a letter which was non-committal and does not say anything specific about wearing flats."

Stallard claims she has had the condition since infancy and walks on the balls of her feet rather than the heel. Her solicitor, John Darby, told the court: "My client has always lived on her toes. She has always worn heels and in her last job had to sign a disclaimer so she could wear high heels to work. She can't walk in flats."

On Friday, magistrates ordered a full medical report and adjourned the case. Outside court, Stallard, 47, said: "It's health and safety gone mad. I was made to feel stupid, like I had gone there wearing them deliberately ‑ but that is not the case. I'm just not able to wear flat shoes. The boots I wore are what I would consider sensible. They weren't open-toed stilettos or anything like that.

"I've always walked on the balls of my feet. My heels don't naturally hit the ground. It was a nightmare a couple of years ago when flat shoes were the fashion. It's impossible to go to the gym because I'm told I can only go if I have trainers. I can't even wear them. The only ones I would be able to wear are the platform ones, like the Spice Girls used to have.

"Even my slippers have a two-and-a-half inch heel. Apparently there are ways to correct the problem but I don't want to go through that now."

A Probation Service spokesman said: "We take the health and safety legislation for offenders very seriously. Ms Stallard was offered protective footwear but refused to comply. We had no option but to return the order to court for magistrates to resentence as they see fit."

City removing footwear from telephone, cable wires

2009-05-15T21:00:00.000-07:00

By: Iris St. Meran
Source

The City of Utica is collecting sneakers and other footwear from an unusual place. They're taking them off of telephone and cable wires.

Last year, the city removed more than 50 pairs of shoes and will be doing the same this time around. In some places, shoes hanging from telephone or cable wires signifies gang or drug activity in the area. Utica's Public Safety Commissioner says that's not the case here.

"Here in the city, it's just a copycat type of act where children just throw them up there for whatever reason. That's no indication that there's any drug activity or gang activity in that area," said Public Safety Commissioner Daniel LaBella.

Anyone caught hanging shoes from telephone wires can be charged with criminal mischief and fined up to $300. To report footwear hanging from wires in the city, you can call the public safety office at (315) 792-0176

Flowers Bloom in Designer's Spring Shoes

2009-04-26T13:49:00.000-07:00

Spring fashion 2009 has been touted as the "season of flowers" by style-watchers world wide and they aren't kidding. Flower motifs are in full bloom in clothes, hair styles, even in shoes. From sandals to pumps, it seems that footwear is the latest way to pay homage to Mother Nature.

After seeing some amazing floral interpretations of shoes and boots at the Philadelphia Flower Show in March, I realized what a suitable combination flowers and footwear could be. Last season Prada came out with floral Art Nouveau inspired high heels. While seemingly impractical to the average shoe-buyer, they were heavily advertised making their image hard to forget. And who can resist the beauty of flowers from the Art Nouveau period?

Flowers dominated the cat-walk at the 2009 Paris Fashion Week, including some over-the-top attractions. Bruno Frisoni, creative director for Roger Vivier, debuted an outrageous pair of hand-made fabric flower covered wedges. Coined as the “One Is Too” spring couture line, his shoes live up to this play-on-words. His designs may seem more fancy than functional, but he is serious about his craft. The mark of Frisoni’s mentor, Roger Vivier, is evident in these shoes-as-art, and the addition of Mother Nature’s bounty only makes them more attractive.

Another designer label who got inspiration from the garden was Scherer-Gonzalez. Their spring 2009 shoe collection was focused solely on fresh flowers. Talk about ready-to-wear! The interesting thing about these designer shoes is they were rather unexpected in structure—somewhat akin to floral designs-atop-lucite-stripper-heels. Regardless of your first impression, they make a statement…and likely will inspire women to “pimp up” their feet.

Not all shoes this season are so heavily decorated like those in the Paris show. There are many pairs available in stores across America that keep the floral theme alive in a more discreet fashion. I suppose there is something for everyone, but I have to go with the couture designer’s philosophy—if you’re going to take from the garden, make sure it’s enough for an arrangement. Shoes and flowers--a good fit if you ask me.

Source: www.examiner.com

In India general election, a new security concern: shoe-throwing protesters

2009-04-19T00:15:00.000-07:00

James Meikle and agencies

Candidates ask for more protection after third shoe-throwing incident in 10 days

Maoist rebels have attacked polling stations and destroyed voting machines, Islamist militants have called for an electoral boycott, but politicians on India's campaign trail are more concerned by another threat during India's month-long general election.

Candidates have requested metal nets and extra security to protect them from shoe-hurling protesters, after footwear has emerged as the weapon of choice for disgruntled voters.

Yesterday, Lal Krishna Advani, the Bharatiya Janata party's (BJP) prime ministerial candidate, became the latest target for bombardment. The missile – a wooden slipper of the type usually worn by Hindu priests and religious leaders – was thrown by an angry party worker at a meeting in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. It missed by some way but the incident was the third shoe-throwing incident in 10 days, according to internet newspaper Mail Today, and has prompted the authorities to step up protection further.

More than 250,000 police officers are being deployed to provide security for the polls which began yesterday, but now party workers have been asked to remove shoes at meetings and security staff have been advised to be extra-vigilant, including keeping tabs on journalists at press conferences.

Authorities in Gujarat built a special safety net to keep shoes out as Narenda Modi, chief minister of the BJP-ruled state, began his speech at a rally this week.

Yesterday's incident was just the latest in a string of shoe-throwing protests against political leaders, including then US president George Bush and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

Last week, a Sikh journalist hurled a shoe at India's home minister in New Delhi, enraged by the minister's reply to a question about 1984 riots in which hundreds of Sikhs died.

Three days later, a retired school teacher threw a shoe at Congress politician Naveen Hindal during an election rally in Haryana state.

Politicians have so far not taken the shoe attacks personally and have not initiated legal action.

But Rajiv Pratap Rody, the BJP candidate in Bihar state, said: "These are acts of insanity. There is no scope for such acts in India's political system."

Voting will continue in four phases over the next month, and the final results will be announced on 16 May.

Source

Schwarzenegger choice of footwear draws scrutiny

2009-04-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

By TRACIE CONE Associated Press Writer

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was in California's Central Valley on Monday to talk about health care and field questions about water and next month's special election.

Among the other issues drawing attention: his fancy footwear.

At the end of a brief news conference at Fresno City College, a local television reporter blurted out, "What's up with your shoes?"

Schwarzenegger, beginning to turn away from the small cluster of reporters, appeared taken aback by the question. He looked at his feet as the students and local officials attending the event fell silent.

"You like them?" he said as a few people laughed and applauded.

Then he added, "I love shoes."

The governor, who has worn cowboy boots on most of his public visits to the state's agricultural heartland, on Monday wore an eye-catching pair of blue-black shoes bearing an alligator skin pattern. They were stitched in white and tied with contrasting white laces.

The reporter for KMPH-TV who asked the question, Liz Gonzalez, later described them as looking like "alligator bowling shoes."

"I'm not saying they were bad," Gonzalez said afterward, explaining her choice of question. "It was more curiosity than anything."

The former movie star has luxury tastes that include custom-made shoes, Armani suits and expensive cigars. Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear downplayed the governor's fashion sense, describing the footwear merely as "black business

Can shoes be political?

2009-04-18T13:19:00.000-07:00

By Brian U. Tenorio
Philippine Daily Inquirer

I WAS IN A CAB IN BERLIN once with the taxi driver trying to guess where I was from. After listening to him speculate if I was Japanese, Chinese or even Singaporean, I said I was from Manila. He then suddenly looked very interested and sighed, “Aaaah, the Abu Sayyaf!?” And in the same breath he asked, “So how is the beautiful Imelda Marcos? (smiles) ... And her shoes?”

We’ve seen recently how an Iraqi journalist threw his shoes at the former US President. Now we don’t have his statement if he had really meant to throw his pair, or if he didn’t have anything else to hurl at the world’s most powerful leader. The cultural context of this gesture can’t be ignored though. Putting the sole of your shoe before someone is a major insult in the Arab world. Also, in some Asian cultures, shoes refer to the lowest and least significant part of the human body. One then should never give shoes as gifts.

However, the opposite is true in the Philippines—just see the balikbayans (or overseas Filipino workers returning home) bringing home shoes for their loved ones. The image of a balikbayan box being opened in a living room in Manila would always include a white pair of sneakers (fondly called “rubber shoes” in our country).

Can shoes be political? I think so.

Yamamoto vs Prada

Inspired designer Yohji Yamamoto disagrees with my premise while adding valuable insight when he answered “Fashion Now’s” (2005, published by Taschen) inquiry if fashion can be political: “I don’t see it in fashion. But if fashion does have such ambition, I would describe it as ‘freedom.’”

Now you can take his quote and place it across contexts, but freedom can be from or of so many things. But when more relevant realities are discussed, “freedom” from economic hardship that is brought about by improving purchasing trends is a somewhat universally agreed-on objective.

In the same book, however, Miuccia Prada defends well-designed pieces, saying: “ … but anything you do is political. The way you treat women, you have respect for them or not—this is a political choice. I don’t think that if you are interested in politics, you have to have bad clothing.”

So what’s the price tag of “looking it?” Conversely, when was the last time “Made in Italy” mattered and “Made in China” made a difference? When was the last time you bought a Philippine-made pair? Is GMA still wearing Philippine-made shoes besides the Milani pairs she used to wear? (Milani, although Italian-sounding, is a Filipino retail label.) Which of the 2010 presidential aspirants wear Philippine-made footwear?

While the Chinese make the biggest number of shoes in the world and the Italians arguably the best lines, and the Japanese wear the most expensive styles, I think that Filipinos own another relevant superlative: we know our shoes, and among cultures, we love our shoes the most. That is our place in the global market and consciousness.

Sadly, though, I do not think we have used that to our advantage, as our footwear industry has been losing buyers, manufacturers and skilled shoemakers in the last few decades.

Dying shoe industry

According to the 2009 position paper of the Movement for Export Survival (MES) composed of industry associations (including the Philippine Footwear Federation Inc. or PFFI), of the $77-billion world demand for footwear, the Philippines produces for only 0.04 percent of that demand. Also, more than 20,000 Filipino employees work for that manufacturing sector. In the same report, it states that almost half of the members of the PFFI had closed their companies by 2007.

Regarding world demand for shoes, in her book, “Shoes: a Celebration of Pumps, Sandals, Slippers and More” (New York: Workman, 1996), Linda O’Keefe says: “The charismatic qualities of shoes have more to do with possession than use.”

While this may be true for women, I feel that men, on the other hand, are more about use than consumption when it comes to footwear. Look at the Barack Obama picture of Callie Shell for Time, where the American president exposes the thinned-out soles of his pair—those are the shoes of a working man.

So the message is: In times like this, there is no shame in having worn-out soles.

The follow-up question then: Is Obama’s pair made in the US? To Huffington Post blog reader Territc (an online nickname, we are sure), this may not matter as she thinks that “those shoes have a story to tell. They have walked the road from the announcement to the election.”

Shoe and memory

Shoes also help us remember. They tell a story and sometimes they represent their wearers. Shoes are synecdoches of sorts, and in the book “Footnotes on Shoes” (edited by Shari Benstock and Suzanne Ferriss, published by Rutgers University Press in 2001), a particular chapter title effectively captures the essence of this idea: “Empty Shoes.” Discussed in the chapter is the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., which has an artistic installation of old shoes gathered from Holocaust victims.

Shoes symbolize one’s condition. “If I were in his/her shoes” is a line about empathy, thinking and acting like you were in another person’s situation. It is an attempt to do things according to one’s beliefs and unique way of existence.

So how would it feel to be in the shoes of “Sex in the City’s” Carrie Bradshaw? She is arguably one of the most famous pop culture references for footwear. A female friend once noted how Carrie would wear a new pair in every scene. That would have been totally believable and familiar to any New Yorker except that, as a shoe designer myself, I don’t think it would be so glamorous to break in a new pair of heels every week walking around New York City.

Shoes describe our condition, project our ideas and beliefs, help us remember, immortalize personalities, improve economies—all these while making us walk taller, lifting our behinds and filling our closets. I think that the main and more relevant realization should not be about fashion and looking good at all, but about this challenge: Shouldn’t we demand for beauty, equality, an improving economy, good governance and happiness in life?

Don’t we all want to have nicer shoes?

Sole baring

2009-04-11T01:05:00.000-07:00

If you don’t like the news, make some yourself. That’s what senior journalist Jarnail Singh seemed to be thinking when he flung his shoe at Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, apparently dissatisfied with his justification of Jagdish Tytler. The visuals were riveting, but the replays must bring home the danger in such conduct.

There was a time when one was told to walk a mile in someone’s shoes before you criticise them. Now, the norm appears to be more like — if you’re at the end of your tether, simply pick up your shoe and hurl it hard at the object of your anger. Iraqi TV reporter Muntader al-Zaidi kicked up the first notable storm when he flung both his shoes at George W. Bush, who exhibited lightning sharp reflexes as he ducked, and even made a crack about “seeing the sole” of his assailant (a self-mocking reference to his assertion of having looked into Putin’s soul). Zaidi was clapped behind bars for three years, but became something of a local hero — an orphanage in Tikrit even briefly put up a stone sculpture of the shoe. A viral video game called ‘Sock and awe’ where anyone gets to bean the erstwhile president, was a brief Internet sensation. A few months later, a protester in Cambridge chucked a shoe at Chinese premier Wen Jiabao, though he missed by a mile. Of course, shoe throwing is a hoary tradition in some parts of the world (and our own variations like chappal garlands) — meant to indicate utter contempt for the target.

Source

Demand for sandals soars while summer approaches, Fitness Footwear

2009-04-08T01:00:00.000-07:00

Fitness Footwear, an online retailer based in Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire are proud to offer the widest choice of sports and outdoor shoes on the world wide web, but when it comes to the warm spring and summer months, their website becomes flooded with shoppers looking for the latest styles of the biggest sandal brands.

In 2008, Fit Flop were the biggest selling sandals for Fitness Footwear as the innovative flip flop's rising acclaim married with the retailer's association with sports and outdoor pursuits allowed them to ship record numbers of the flip flop with the gym built in.

Fit Flops are marketed as the summer flip flop that gives you a work out while you walk. Targeted towards women wither neither the time nor money to attend gym classes in order to stay in shape, Fit Flops are designed to work the muscles in the legs and buttocks harder during every day activities, resulting in slimmer legs and a smaller bum. So it's no wonder that nearly every woman world wide wants a pair.

To cater for their loyal customer base of outdoor enthusiasts, which include large numbers of the British walking communities, Fitness Footwear was keen to provide a wide range of suitable walking sandals from many of the biggest walking boot brands. As a one stop shop for walkers to buy the best walking boots on the market, Fitness Footwear was the perfect retailer to promote this new product to a community of traditional trekkers who for the most part were resolute in wearing nothing but the classic styles of brown hiking boots pioneered by Chris Brasher in the 1970s. Since then, Fitness Footwear offers an unsurpassed selection of walking sandals, including a number of water sport sandals to cater for all of their customers.

However, in recent years, Fitness Footwear has expanded into the realms of functional and fashionable footwear by stocking a massive range of best selling Birkenstock sandal styles, the most popular of which is the Birkenstock Arizona, closely followed by the Birkenstock Madrid which is a preferred ladies choice of summer sandal. Meanwhile for casual of smart evening attire, the Birkenstock Gizeh has been a very popular choice. However, the Birkenstock Arizona remains the best selling Birkenstock sandal because of its universal appeal to men and women of all ages.

Following this success in fashionable footwear, Fitness Footwear was keen to expand the ranges of their existing brands by offering all manner of lifestyle shoes while bringing exclusive fashion labels such as EMU boots and Crocs shoes on board. As a result, Crocs were quick to overtake Birkenstock as the biggest selling summer brand.

While Birkenstocks have shown an all-year-round appeal, Crocs shoes are a seasonal brand. Since the unveiling of the first Croc shoe at the November 2002 Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show, Crocs shoes have been a massive hit with all manner of men, women and children. Crocs have a broad appeal to a widerange of Fitness Footwear's customers who appreciate the soft, lightweight and comfortable clog style of the shoes as well as their vibrant colours and multi-purpose designs which make them suitable for all aspects of summer from relaxing on the beach to a number of wet outdoor activities. For many children, Crocs are the perfect wet play shoes for summer.

Source

He runs to fight cancer and someone stole his shoes

2009-04-07T02:21:00.000-07:00

Somebody stole John Raschke's shoes.

“The Spira company sent me a pair of special shoes for running marathons,” he said. “I was Up North with my son when it got delivered. I've had stuff sit on the porch before, but when I got home they were gone.”

It's bad enough that someone stole someone else's shoes, but in this case the shoes were going to be used when Raschke takes a 10-day, 330-mile run to raise awareness about childhood cancer.

Back in 2006, Raschke decided to start treating himself better, quit a 40-year smoking habit and started to run for exercise. Seven months later, he ran his first marathon. He's not claiming the fastest time that day, he's not promising a record for his upcoming run, but he's still coming out for the runs.

Starting May 15, Raschke will be making a very long run across the Great Lakes State.

“I'm running from the border to the bridge,” he said. “From the Ohio border to Mackinaw City. It should take me 10 or 11 days.”

He's running to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to bring attention to Band of Parents, a support group for people whose children are fighting neuroblastoma. He was trolling through a running Web site, www.runnersworld.com, and came across a posting in the readers' forum from a man asking people for prayers for his son who was suffering from the disease. He made a connection with Band of Parents and is running for them next month.

He said he's not running to solicit donations, but if people feel the need to contribute, Band of Parents is a tax-exempt charity that raises money for cancer research.

This is not his first time running to raise awareness. After hearing about Redford Union High School freshman and Livonia City Soccer Club player Mitch Butler, who died in a pedestrian accident last year, he dedicated a run downtown to the boy's memory. He's also run in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

And the shoes?

“We called the company, they tracked the package and asked us to check the bushes,” Raschke said. “They sent me another pair.”

The shoes are a new design with springs, only recently approved for official marathon use.

Source

Well-heeled men hit the streets for Shasta Women's Refuge

2009-04-06T00:25:00.000-07:00

Chris Resner, right, walks in high heels while his wife, Erin, holds their baby, Beckett, and employee Natalie Hammond follows along for support Saturday during the Shasta Women's Refuge Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event at The Mall in downtown Redding. Owners of the five local Dutch Bro's Coffee, the Resners said this was their first year to participate as a team with other co-workers. "(I've) got a whole new respect for my wife and women wearing high heels...I think my big toe is going to fall off," said Chris Resner. Nathan Morgan/Record Searchlight

Shasta County District Attorney Jerry Benito looked stunning Saturday in his three-piece black suit with shorts and blazing red stiletto heels.

If clothes do indeed make the man, Benito, as well others who joined in Saturday's Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser, helped to make more than just a fashion statement.

For it's not all about the shoes.

About 150 registrants, some braver than others in their choice of footwear and outfits, helped to raise money for the Shasta Women's Refuge.

Their action also helped encourage others to join in the fight against rape, sexual assault and gender violence.

But their effort, at least for some of them, did not come without a price.

"It's really painful in the arch of the foot," Benito said as he tried to get used to his gravity-defying stilettos moments before he and others twice walked around the perimeter of The Mall in downtown Redding and through it.

But, he said, the pain he felt was all in the name of a good cause.

"A little bit of discomfort is worth all the money that is raised," Benito said.

More than $35,000 was raised from last year's walk at Lake Redding Park, but the total raised from Saturday's event probably won't be known for a few days.

Dave Regnell, chairman of the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, praised those men who participated in the walk.

"We have real men supporting a real cause and making a real difference," he said.

Maggie John, the refuge's executive director, echoed his sentiments, and also expressed her gratitude to those men who showed their support to the women's shelter and their cause.

"You've got to appreciate this," she said as the walkers, who were asked to raise at least $100 in pledges, paraded past as Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Walk Through the Jungle" blared over loudspeakers.

Jim Putnam, a 49-year-old Redding man and nursing student at Shasta College who said he felt compelled to participate in the walk, went a little over the top in his choice of wardrobe.

Wearing a pink fuzzy hat, feather-like boa, tutu and multicolored wedge shoes, Putnam waved at motorists passing by while also waving a sign reading: "I am man enough to walk in her shoes."

Source

FERGIE Crazy shoe fetish revealed

2009-04-06T00:18:00.000-07:00

Fergie has revealed she owns over 500 pairs of shoes. The Black Eyed Peas star - who has just launched her own footwear collection called 'Fergie' - is so obsessed with buying new pairs of pumps, heels and sneakers that she has to keep building new storage space. She said: "I'm a girl, and I love accessories. It's one of the reasons I have huge closets, and we keep making room in the house for more closets. I don't like to throw anything away." The 34-year-old star may have to think about downscaling her footwear collection - she and husband Josh Duhamel (36) are planning to try for a baby when she finishes touring.

Source

Nicole to launch fashion footwear

2009-04-06T00:14:00.000-07:00

Nicole, 27, has already made waves with her first collection under the name House of Harlow 1960, after her items sold out in an online pre-sale earlier this year, even before they had time to hit shelves.

As per Women’s Wear Daily , she will add a line of around 20 shoe styles, new bags, belts and small accessories to debut in the spring of 2010.

Nicole’s business partner Rick Cytrynbaum has insisted that the socialite is taking extra care of her new designs.

“Nicole is designing everything herself. She’s totally devoted to this, and we’re creating a whole lifestyle around her aesthetic and what is true to her,” Contactmusic quoted him as saying.

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No heels?! Gasp! Victoria Beckham dresses way down in flip-flops

2009-04-01T21:35:00.000-07:00

Holy heel!

Stiletto aficionado Victoria Beckham ventured out in public this weekend in - gasp! - flats.

The glam-loving 34-year-old mother of three, who has been mocked for donning mile-high heels to theme parks, the mall and even to throw out the first pitch at a Dodgers game, dressed down in baggy jeans and flip-flops for a trip to London's Wembley Stadium.

"I just can't concentrate in flats," she told the Britain's GMTV in May, on her love of the less-than-comfy shoes.

"I'd love to go to the gym," she added, "but I can't get my head around the footwear."

Pal Heidi Klum laughed about Beckham's love of death-defying footwear to Harper's Bazaar, telling the mag, "What might feel like a nine-inch heel to most people is like a flip-flop to her."

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Create your own shoe

2009-04-01T21:28:00.000-07:00

By STEPHEN REGENOLD
StarTribune.Com

Somnio Running, a new company in Santa Cruz, Calif., touts its upcoming line of footwear as the world's first "truly customizable" running shoes.

The company's system will include three shoe models; three types of footbeds; cushion inserts with differing densities for the heel and forefoot areas; and wedge inserts made to help align the foot and lower leg. When mixed and matched to a runner's foot in a store, these components can create 648 unique shoe types.

Arch comfort, leg alignment, cushioning and pronation control are among the benefits a Somnio (www.somnio running.com) customer might find.

The shoes, available in May, will be sold at independent running shops. Prices will start at about $125 per pair.

Statement shoes to kill for

2009-03-29T01:59:00.000-07:00

Architectural heels

Every season sees a fresh new crop of covetable shoes that just makes every woman want to sin. Looking through the veritable trove of complicated-looking slash teetering power heels, I can’t help but feel the reverberating dings of clock-ups in my inner want list. For summer, it’s all about statement. Forget about the conventional, who wants to be normal, anyway? Step up in these key shoe trends and see the crowd part like the Red Sea.

Architectural heels

Talk about having a conversation piece at your feet. Intricate, almost artlike, sculptural pieces serve as heels for most of the directional labels. Metal squiggles at Alexander McQueen, latticework that reminds me of bridge cables at Christian Dior, and punctuation marks or scarlet chrome apostrophes over at Prada. Wow!

Peep-toe booties

The most wearable shape that can work even as daywear, peep-toe booties are the silhouettes to be rock and rollin’ in. What makes these different from the previous seasons? The new booties are tight, fit like a glove and are as slim as second skin.

Platforms

Towering levels are always sexy, and, with girls, they can be easily achieved by slipping on magic, nosebleed-height stilettos. The thing with platforms is, it not only gives an exaggerated amount of inches, the proportion of the added measurement on the heels is balanced by the added volume on the outsole, technically making a six-inch shoe, like the Christian Diors, only five. Okay, it may not be a lot, but for the wannabe glamazons, their feet will thank them after a whole night of standing in these. I absolutely, hands down, will give my liver and an arm for these Gucci babies. SO me. Rowr.

Satin bows

Not really a fan of frills and thrills but satin bows do give these babies a quirky and feminine touch. It also zooms in on the new erogenous zone: the ankle. Wouldn’t mind giving it a go, loving the metallic sheen on the finish, just don’t leave it untied when stepping on an escalator, or worse, shudder, an elevator.

Tribal influence

Boho is back in a good way. Shoes are embellished with beads, baubles, tassels, feathers, bows, contrasting fabrics and mishmashed patterns. It’s like arts and crafts or footwear on creative acid, bringing us back to the summer of love, free hugs and world peace. Don’t get me wrong, though, there’s nothing dated with these intricate footwear pieces, in fact, they’re provocative innovativeness. Contemporary with that touch of cultural reference.

Transparency

Bondage is a key trend for this season, and we might as well add voyeurism to that. Shoes come in see-through finishes. Patent and mesh at Emilio Pucci, (I love this shoe!), lace booties at Oscar dela Renta, and an actual structural mesh piece at YSL.

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Rock ’n’ roll soles

2009-03-29T01:19:00.000-07:00

With the release of its spring collection, Converse has revealed its decidedly rock ‘n’ roll soles.

The brand’s latest designs, hailing from its Music Collaboration Collection, feature imagery from some of the great heavyweights of Brit-rock, including The Who, Pink Floyd and metal god-turned-reality-television-star Ozzy Osbourne.

Additionally, Converse commissioned a number of artists and musicians — Lupe Fiasco and U2’s The Edge among them — to custom-design a shoe to benefit Product RED (joinred.com).

Fiasco’s bilingual shoe plays off the look and feel of newsprint, while The Edge’s contribution is an op-art study of geometry as inspired by the points and angles of the Converse star logo. Both limited edition styles are available for purchase beginning this month and all proceeds will go towards Bono’s Global Fund.

The Converse Music Collaboration Collection has previously paid homage to Black Sabbath, The Doors and The Grateful Dead.

But what, exactly, is the connection between footwear and music?

“At some point, every rock singer and musician has worn Chucks,” explains Patrick Kavanagh, director of sales and marketing for Converse Canada.

“When you put on Chucks, they make you feel free.

Indeed, Chuck Taylors have often been the footwear of choice for noteworthy musicians. The iconic canvas sneaker has outfitted everyone from Kurt Cobain to Phil Collins, from Tom Petty and Joan Jett to Jason Mraz. Invented nearly 100 years ago as basketball shoes, Chuck Taylors (nicknamed for the athlete who eventually espoused them) are the antithesis of trendy, high-priced footwear. The shoe’s casual low-maintenance comfort speaks to certain lifestyles.

The Ozzy Osbourne design features doodles of the Ozman as both an angel and a devil ($80 - $130). The Pink Floyd shoes showcase album art from Animals, Wish You Were Here and Dark Side of the Moon ($70 - $80) and the shoes that pay homage to The Who have distinctly mod sensibilities, featuring the Union Jack and red, white and blue bullseye logos ($70 - $90).

Source

2009-03-29T01:14:00.000-07:00

Step into Blake Mycoskie's shoes for a day, and you might wind up feeling enlightened. Not just because the shoes he wears are incredibly lightweight, but because they transport him to regions of the globe where footwear is a rare, precious commodity.

So what are these magical slippers? They're called TOMS, and they're the foundation of Mycoskie's one-for-one business principle: for every pair of TOMS sold, the 32-year-old gives a pair to a child in need.

The idea came to Mycoskie -- who calls himself a "serial entrepreneur" whose first company was a laundry business he started in college -- while he was vacationing in Argentina. He says he was overwhelmed by the sight of children living without shoes. But instead of simply starting a charity, he decided he could better serve by launching a for-profit business.

In the 2½ years since its inception, TOMS Shoes has distributed 150,000 pairs of shoes to impoverished children in Argentina, Ethiopia, South Africa and the U.S. via a series of "shoe drops."

"When I first used the term 'shoe drop,' someone asked me if anyone ever gets hurt," Mycoskie says with a laugh. "They thought we were flying by and dropping boxes of shoes, which could be problematic. But that's not what happens." Watch some shoe drops »

Mycoskie's approach is a little more hands-on. With a team of volunteers, most of whom are TOMS Shoes customers who signed up to help online, Mycoskie greets kids on the ground and physically slides the shoes onto their feet.

"I think we get as much value out of it as they do, seeing those amazing expressions on those beautiful kids' faces when they get their first pair of new shoes," he says.

TOMS -- the name being derived from the word "tomorrow" -- are based on the traditional canvas Argentine shoe known as the alpargata. Instead of a rope sole, Mycoskie has opted for rubber, and he's incorporated leather insoles with arch support into the shoe design.

TOMS come in a wide variety of colors and patterns (stripes always sell well, Mycoskie says), and cater to men, women and children. They also don't break the bank -- you can pick up a pair for under $50, a key selling point in this economy.

And they are selling. At a time when small businesses are reeling, Mycoskie says his business has turned a decent profit in the past year. Not bad for a start-up company that gives away as much merchandise as it sells. This year, Mycoskie hopes to donate 300,000 pairs of shoes.

And on April 16, he'll take the social message one step (ahem) further by organizing "One Day Without Shoes," an initiative to bring awareness to how tough life can be in the barefoot lane. Participants are encouraged to leave their shoes at home for the day, a gesture that students at the University of California in Los Angeles and Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, have already signed on for.

CNN caught up with Blake Mycoskie -- whom fans of CBS' "The Amazing Race" might recognize as a season two contestant -- to find out more about his shoe business.

CNN: So do you consider yourself a philanthropist?

Blake Mycoskie: I definitely do. I think the term "social entrepreneur" is very relevant because I believe you can do well by doing good. TOMS is a for-profit business, and it's important that we have profit so we have sustainability. I've always said that with a charity, what happens when you have a time like right now, (when) economic times are tough and the donors maybe aren't there, the charity really suffers. But the nice thing about TOMS is it being a for-profit business, we're continuing to sell shoes so we can continue to give shoes.

CNN: So it really is possible to be a small business, turn a profit and be very active in social causes?

Mycoskie: Absolutely. I think the advantage to being a small business that's giving back in such a substantial way is that our customers really become our marketers. So when someone buys a pair of TOMS, they're not just buying a pair of shoes, they're kind of joining a movement. And they want to participate in that. And so when they wear their shoes, and someone says, "what are those?" they never say "TOMS." They tell the whole story. They say, "When I bought this pair of shoes, a child got a pair." And that's the best type of marketing you can have.

CNN: Talk to us a little about the response you get when you're in the field in, (say,) Argentina and you're handing shoes to these kids.

Mycoskie: Well, that's the best part. I'm so blessed because I get to be creative, I get to run a business, and I get to spend about half of my year in the field giving shoes to kids who sometimes have never had a pair of shoes before. And the most common response we get from the kids and from their parents is that this shoe represents a passport to a better life. A lot of the places we're giving shoes, the kids are not allowed to go to school unless they have the proper uniform and shoes. So one of the great responses we get is, "This pair of shoes is going to allow me to go to school."

CNN: Isn't there a foot condition that you're seeking to help overcome ... ?

Mycoskie: In southern Ethiopia, there's a disease called podoconiosis. (It's) a very debilitating disease. It comes through the soil into the pores and destroys the lymphatic system. The great thing is we can prevent it with (something) simple: by giving shoes. If we can give them shoes before their feet have that interaction, we can prevent the next generation from having this disease. And that's incredibly important, especially among women and children, 'cause they're completely ostracized from the communities when they get this disease. And they don't have to get it. If they wear shoes, they'll never get it.

CNN: Despite being a businessman, you live a pretty simple life, don't you? Don't you live on a boat?

Mycoskie: Yes, I live a very simple life. After starting TOMS and traveling around the world and seeing the environments that people are living in, I realized that you don't need much to be happy. Some of the happiest people I've ever met live out in the jungle, in rural Argentina and South Africa. And so it's really caused me to want to simplify my life. I have a very nice boat, but it's a boat and it's small and it's simple and I don't keep many things on it.

Also, a life that's somewhat nomadic because I'm constantly traveling. So whether it's coming to New York for something in the fashion world, or being in LA at our home office, or being in Ethiopia giving shoes, I'm constantly on the road. And I find the simpler your life is, the better it is for traveling.

CNN: How involved are you with the design aspect of TOMS shoes?

Mycoskie: I'm pretty involved. I like to start the season by thinking about what's inspiring me and what I'm looking at in terms of what's going on with our cause. We integrate anything from fashion into our designs, to a quote we like. And then we just do fun stuff -- stripes always sell really well. You put a bright-colored lining in it ... people love it. We're constantly trying to update the collection, keep it fun, not take it too seriously and give people all different types of shoes to choose from.

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Stepping up

2009-03-29T01:11:00.000-07:00

City sandals with cage-like straps and cut-outs are pumped with style.

Cage shoes may be dressy or casual, platform-soled, flat or sky-high, but all possess multiple straps in diagonal, wrap-around, horizontal, rectangular or T-strap formation.

The current "it" shoe is definitely a strappy cage sandal in hot new materials such as snake leather and suede," says Julia Brownstein, a spokesperson for Browns, a Montreal-based chain of fashion shoe stores.

Straps may be narrow or wide, with narrow-strapped shoes and those featuring fancy suede, patent and snake-embossed finishes presenting a dressier look.

Wide-strapped shoes made of matte leather in shades of black, tan and earth brown backed by chunky stacked heels make more casual fashion statements.

Some elements of cage styling appears to be borrowed from last summer's mania for flat-soled gladiator sandals. However, this year's cage sandal is more likely to feature a chunky tall heel and and less likely to have straps that extend up the leg past the ankle.

The more the merrier is the buzz on studs, buckles, zippers, laces and other decorative elements.
"Unlike the daintier shoe styles of previous springs, these strappy shoes are edgy. Wear them with everything from a fun and flirty spring dress to distressed denim to update your wardrobe," recommends Shannon Johnson, a spokesperson for StyleSense, an off-price shoes and accessories chain.

Shiny patent and metallic cage sandals in shades of copper, gold and pewter sing siren songs that can be played against virtually any wardrobe colour.

Snake embossed leather adds texture to style in both basic and bright shades.

Although serpent print shoes in shades of black, white, beige and grey take a popular neutral stance, others feature a brighter outlook.

Cage sandals in smooth and snake-patterned materials alike go high voltage in an extended palette of vivid fashion colours.

"Candy-coated, bold and bright hues are an important seasonal colour trend for both formal and casual footwear," says Juan de la Pena, an international sales manager for El Naturalista, a Spanish footwear line that is sold in Canada.

Orange, pink, red, lime, yellow, lavender and turquoise are among the warm-weather colours that are currently making standout fashion statements.

Caged shoes strut their stuff astride covered and stacked leather heels.

Wooden and cork-wedged heels offer other popular footnotes. Details such as cubed heels and stretchy elastic straps are giving a modern edge to some of the season's cagiest footwear.

Yves Saint Laurent's widely copied, caged ankle bootie features a lattice-like, rectangular grid of straps perched on a square heel for an overall effect that is airy, open and somewhat futuristic.

Others such as Calvin Klein are also giving heels new direction with square and rectangular forms.

Stretchy straps fashioned from elasticized fabric are another novelty that is taking shape.

"The idea of using stretchy elastic straps is an extension of the strappy, cage trend and is just another new material that is being used to execute the look," Brownstein notes.

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The heeling process begins with the sole

2009-03-29T01:06:00.000-07:00

OR a shoe designer, Andrew McDonald gives surprisingly short shrift to the super-high heels seen on the spring-summer collections runways in New York, Milan and Paris this season. "They are not cheap to buy and the wearability is extremely limited," he says. "They are the purest form of fashion escapism."

Several tumbles at Max Azria in New York and at Brian Reyes, where embattled models eventually removed their shoes altogether, continued the debate from last season (models dropped like flies at Prada, Pucci and DSquared2) about whether high heels can go any higher, and it's clear McDonald errs towards the Left Bank ballet flats rather than Christian Louboutin skyscrapers side of the debate.

"I've had so many requests recently for really high heels, one girl came in wanting 14cm heels just to wear to a party. But these shoes are all about appearances, people can't actually walk in them. To me the real art is making the shoe look beautiful but designing it in such a way that it fulfils all of its mechanical functions also. And that's a really difficult thing to do."

But that is the challenge McDonald sets himself as Sydney's best bespoke shoemaker. The average heel height in his William Street atelier is 7cm to 8cm, but if that sounds a little bland, consider that McDonald is a shoe magician who can realise any custom-made footwear fantasy in myriad colours, designs, leathers and finishes.

But gratification is not instant; each pair of shoes takes about 40 hours of painstaking craftsmanship, beginning with a consultation during which feet measurements are taken and design requirements discussed. Will the toe be rounded or razor-sharp? Is it a kitten or block heel you require? Are there any additional tassles, studs or trims required to realise your ultimate shoe? At a fitting three weeks later, McDonald produces a "foot toile", made from scrap leather, to try the shoe for size and make further adjustments to heel height, fit and appearance. Four to six weeks will pass before your third and final fitting with the finished shoe.

In addition to patience, McDonald's custom-made craft requires deep pockets, with his shoes priced from $800 to $1200 for women and $1600 to $2000 for men. He also produces a cheaper, ready-to-wear range that starts at $450 and tops out at $1200. It is almost as beautiful as his bespoke creations, with this season's offerings born out of finding new ways of using the humble zip. Reworked to create decorative embellishments, zip trims feature on belts and on men's and women's boots, while rosettes made from zip strapping garnish T-bars and pumps.

Calf, deer and kid leathers feature in McDonald's autumn-winter collection, which incorporates textured, hand-stained and polished finishes in a colour palette ranging from silvers and bright reds to classic tan and black. "You need to have some elements that reference the trends of the season, but you also need to have your personal trademark style," he says.

McDonald has created shoes for films including the Star Wars trilogy, Superman Returns and Wolverine, but his core clientele comprises professional women in their 30s and 40s who work in creative industries such as architecture, design and the arts.

"They really get what I do," he says. "It's a very personal process for me because I've built the shoes, I have an idea in my mind of the person who'd be wearing them and the environment they would wear them in."

Cue the Cinderella fantasy: "The right person does always walk in, they put the shoes on and the shoes come to life."

If you've ever wanted to slip on a pair of bespoke shoes you have created, McDonald is offering a new five-day shoemaking course with dates available from May 4 through to August. At $1950 it's not cheap, but not only will you learn all about the art of shoemaking, you will get to keep -- and wear -- the shoes you design, doubtless to the envy and admiration of your friends. The process includes making a pattern and the shoe toile before cutting the leather, stitching and punching it and finally fitting the sole and heel. But I have to admit, I have my doubts. Could I really create a pair of shoes I would wear with pride?

"Yeah, we really push you," McDonald says with a laugh. "Usually with custom-made (orders) in the workshop it takes longer because there are so many elements involved, but this course is one on one.

"You are either working with me or one other person and we are there with you every moment, so we can push the process along more quickly."

Imagine the thrill of saying: "I made these myself," pointing down to your entirely individual and perfectly fitted shoes.

It's that combination of form and function that McDonald finds most rewarding about his job.

"When you make a shoe for a customer and everything works, you bring comfort and joy to someone. If they have hard-to-fit feet you can make shoes for them that change their lives, and that's a really great feeling."

Despite his passion for the business, it took McDonald some time to discover his true vocation. He trained as a nurse in Sydney before working as a medical photographer, which led to general photography work. It was while photographing a shoemaker in London that he thought "it seemed like a really great way to make a living, and I was also interested in the idea of reviving a dying craft".

He returned to Australia to study shoemaking at Sydney's Ultimo TAFE, then in 1996 won a Churchill fellowship to study with the industry's best in France and Britain.

"To see businesses that were surviving making handmade shoes in a traditional fashion was incredibly inspiring," he says. "The most important thing was that it gave me the opportunity to examine their business models and then transfer them to an Australian example."

After 18 years in the business, McDonald estimates there are just 12 people in Australia making bespoke shoes professionally.

"The industry is dying here," he laments. "There are less and less opportunities for me to source materials and trims and things, and the old craftspeople I learned from here, the Mediterranean men now in their 80s, are all dying as well. In the early days I had some really great mentors, but a lot of it now is really finding my own way."

In an attempt to rejuvenate the industry, McDonald runs a work-experience program in his studio that attracts students from across the world. The shoemaking courses (there is also a 10-day course) are aimed at generating interest in custom-made footwear.

"It's also an opportunity for me to have different people in the studio so I don't get bored," quips McDonald of the courses.

But there is little chance of him succumbing to workplace tedium in the longer term.

"I never really see myself retiring," he says. "I've been doing this for 18 years now and I see my career peaking at 60 because it takes that long to get that good, to get to the point when you feel like you could make pretty much anything."

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Okabashi Celebrates 25 Years as U.S. Based Footwear Designer and Manufacturer

2009-03-25T04:35:00.000-07:00

With more than 25 million pairs sold in the U.S., Okabashi's "Made in the USA" status is indeed rare when you consider that almost 99 percent of the U.S. footwear market was supplied by imports in 2006, according to a report titled "2006 Trends: An Annual Compilation of Statistical Information on the U.S. Apparel and Footwear Industries" issued by the American Apparel & Footwear Association.

For 25 years, Okabashi has bucked this trend and produced a domestic product that outperforms overseas competition on design, durability and value.

"While footwear fads have come and gone, Okabashi continues to offer a Made in America shoe for consumers who want quality, comfort and arch support at a reasonable price," said Bahman Irvani, President and CEO. "We will continue to compete against imports by continuing to innovate and stay focused on our core objectives and by not compromising on the quality and durability of our shoes."

Using a unique, proprietary Microplast® material, Okabashi designs its footbed to conform to one's foot, supporting the toes, arch and heel at the right places, producing healing comfort and helping avoid and alleviate foot, ankle, leg and back pain. This design commitment led to an endorsement of Okabashi shoes by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) for their ability to promote correct weight distribution and posture.

"In addition to our Made in America commitment, we continually make improvements to become an environmental steward," added Irvani.

All material waste created through the production process goes back into the manufacturing cycle, creating a "wasteless" closed loop system. Over 15 percent of Okabashi shoes are made from that recycled material.

For more about Okabashi and its Anniversary celebration, visit www.okabashi.com/25

About Okabashi Brands, Inc.

With manufacturing based in Buford, Ga., Okabashi celebrates its 25th year designing and producing shoes 'Made in America.' Okabashi is number one in massaging footwear, having sold more than 100 million pairs worldwide. Customers can find men's, women's and kid's shoes in a variety of styles and colors. Shoe collections include thongs/flip flops, casual slides, mid heel sandals and clogs.

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So many shoes, so few feet

2009-03-22T01:11:00.000-07:00

I am going to come right out and say it: I have a problem, a problem with shoes.

The problem isn’t that I can’t find any or that I have an aversion to them, it is in fact quite the opposite.

I am obsessed with them. I have more than enough shoes to wear a different pair each day of the month and be able to change them once a day – my closet is a smaller version of Payless. I even offer an exchange program with friends.

The stacks of kitten heels, leather boots and peep toe pumps, take up space and have eaten up every available inch of storage, displacing golf clubs, the vacuum and winter jackets. Hockey equipment and baseball bats have also been relocated to make room for boxes from Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik.

I don’t believe in having too many shoes, but some of those closest to me do, which may be why I’m watched like a hawk whenever I get within 18 feet of a shoe store. It might also explain the creative ways I’ve justified a new purchase or the places I’ve come up with to hide shoes so no one really knows how may pairs I have.

And while my choice of footwear may not always be entirely appropriate for the weather conditions, I can’t be faulted for having ugly shoes.

But what I can be faulted for is supreme indecisiveness when it comes to packing footwear for a vacation. I had no idea it could be so hard to select only a few pairs to take until I tried to pack for a recent trip.

So many shoes, so little space. I knew there was no way I’d be able to swing taking one bag solely for shoes, but I figured I could get away with putting a couple pairs in a giant purse as carry-on.

Which ones to bring? How many to bring? I tried to keep in mind the destination and the length of the trip, landing at the conclusion of needing six pairs: golf shoes, comfy shoes for the plane that would be wearable during the transition from snow to sand, sandals, something for walking in, something dressy in case I’m out for dinner and something cute for shopping.

The only problem with packing six pairs was I realized that I’d have to have at least one outfit that matched each pair and by the time I factored in wanting those pants, those shorts, that sundress and that shirt, there was no way the suitcase was going to close.

So instead of taking up my mother’s offer to have her supervise the re-packing of my luggage (she’d get rid of the shoes first) I found the perfect solution.

There are only two pairs of shoes in my bag, which earned me a passing grade from my mother. But what she won’t know until she reads this, is that these three additional pairs of shoes will have made the journey with me, safely tucked away at the bottom of my boyfriend’s suitcase.

A girl can't be without her shoes.

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Woman Uses Shoe To Fight Off Attacker

2009-03-22T01:06:00.000-07:00

A college student used her head, and her shoes, to get away from an attacker overnight.

The USD student was walking on campus early Friday morning when a strange man attacked her. But thanks to her high heels, she was able to get away.

Vermillion Police are calling the attack an attempted sexual assault. It happened right outside Renee Rodgers' apartment complex.

"It was weird because last night I was around here and we saw police officers and so we didn't know what was going on, but heard this morning that there was an assault," Rodgers said.

Police say the suspect threw the female student to the ground and kicked her. But the victim was walking barefoot, carrying her high heels, which she used as a weapon.

"She fought back, struck the suspect in the face with the heel of the shoe. We are optimistic that she hit him hard enough to leave some sort of a wound. Our assumption is her adrenaline was probably strong enough she may have done some damage," Vermillion Chief of Police Art Mabry said.

The area where it happened is well lit, but police say when you're walking alone, lights aren't enough to ward off an attackers.

"Probably not the best thing to do 12:30 in the morning. We encourage whether they are male or female to stay in groups. There is safety in numbers," Mabry said.

Other students are relieved to hear the woman was able to get away.

"Go heels," Gina Serck said.

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Other countries want to be in Turkey’s shoes

2009-03-22T01:05:00.000-07:00

ISTANBUL - A conference room at the 5th World Water Forum was packed yesterday with important names and participants from all around the world gathering to discuss Turkey’s water resources.

General manager of the Generale Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, or DSİ, Haydar Koçaker, president of the World Water Forum Loic Fauchon and Environment Minister Veysel Eroğlu were accompanied to the conference by Süleyman Demirel, the 9th president of Turkey.

Protecting Turkey’s biogeography

Underlining the water forum’s theme, "Bridging Divides for Water," Koçaker said DSİ aimed to provide water resources responsibly and protect Turkey's biogeography. Water in agriculture is one of the most important topics of today's world agenda and we have provided water for 3 billion hectars within the Turkish territory, he said.

Koçaker said sanitation work is the priority in Turkey. "DSİ has built 636 dams in Turkey which provide 47 billion kilowatts of energy per hour," he said.

Indicating his happiness about the forum's success, Fauchon said many people around the world don't have access to water and Turkey is one-step ahead of many countries with its Southeastern Anatolia Project, or GAP, which aims to improve regional development. "Many countries around the world want to be in Turkey's shoes," he said.

Demirel agreed with Fauchon, but said that the world’s water resources were diminishing and measures needed to be taken quickly. "One of them is building dams. Although many people are against building dams, we need them. Otherwise it will be impossible for Turkey to access clean water during the summer," said Demirel.

Source

Common shoe myths

2009-03-21T22:30:00.000-07:00

By Tonya Bernard
www.examiner.com

Most people, when they buy shoes, get the natural notion that their shoes will last forever. To the contrary, shoes usually last around 500 miles before you have to look to buy a new pair (http://walking.about.com). There are many common shoe myths a person should take note of in order to avoid a potential foot problem in the future.

Regular walking causes your toes to swell. This means that your feet are expanding in your shoes on a daily basis. The common myth most have is that you can buy walking shoes that same size as your regular shoes, when in truth your walking shoes should be bigger than your regular shoes. They should be also be bought in pairs of two and rotated so the wearing process can be slowed.

Scared to buy bigger shoes? Just lace them correctly so your heel stays in the heel cup while still leaving room for your toes to expand. Not lacing the shoe correctly could be the reason why some still get black toes despite having enough room in the shoe.

To every problem there is a solution. For the walker there's athletic shoes, especially for those who plan to walk for more than 30 minutes. Even the career person can take advantage of this by bringing along an extra pair of shoes to work. Sure you'll need to look nice in meetings and for presentation purposes, but in between you can slip into a pair of good walking shoes and make your feet much happier.

Another myth is the belief that an insole can solve the problem of worn shoes. Yes, they may feel better, but the problem is still there, eventually working its way through the insoles and to your feet due to broken down support elements in the shoe.

Beauty before pain

2009-03-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

By Malou Fernandez
Manila Standard Today

In the early 20th century, women finally liberated themselves from the corset and were finally allowed to breathe properly. Before that it was simply de rigueur to wear those tight contraptions lest you be labelled a common hussy. After years of endless suffering, we chose to suffer yet again by idolizing the proverbial stiletto heel. What woman doesn’t have a pair of four-inch stilettos in her closet? Be it Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo or Janylin, every woman has a pair of stiletto heels in her wardrobe. How often they are worn is another story.

Lately Filipinos have been a bit lackadaisical about their choice of footwear. Havaianas have become the acceptable choice of footwear or any other form of slipper. Just go around the shopping malls you will see at least seven out of 10 people wearing some kind of flip-flops. It has been quite obvious that we have adapted the casual style of Southern California, traipsing around in shorts and flip-flops at the mall. Now, on the other extreme, you see the more fashion-forward young women influenced by pop culture and fashion magazines, teeter tottering in their high heels worn with short shorts looking like a cross between hooker on Times Square and Beyoncé in one of her videos.

I shudder to think of what happened to us in the last 30 years. When did going out in your pambahay or looking like a street walker become acceptable? Then it dawned upon me that it was all about the shoes!!! You have young women running around in flip-flops as a silent rebellion to wearing high heels—at least I’d like to think so. The aesthetic appeal and the attraction to the high heel is so strong it is always somehow attached to the notion of helping women look more sexually attractive just like corset.

In the 18th and 19th century, having a really small waist empowered you as a woman and made you more sexually attractive. Think Scarlett O Hara in Gone with the Wind. She had mammy tighten her corset to a point where she couldn’t breathe in order to have a waist that would attract all the men at the picnic. Which is why back then, women were considered the weaker sex. Duh, if you had to wear those things day in and out, you would be weak as well not being able to breathe properly! Now that we have finally liberated ourselves from the torturous device, we had to find another way to torture ourselves with high heels.

Men love high heels and equate them with sex. Men generally prefer women in high heels. The higher the better and fashion likes to sell sex and sex appeal so high heels have become a perfect symbol for expressing your sexuality in today’s culture. But how many of you women out there can really last all day in a pair of four-inch heels? Unless you’re Victoria Beckham, I’d say an hour or two at the most. I agree they look attractive and they make your legs look slimmer and longer but the repercussions can be painful and any of you who have partied all night trying to look good in heels will know what I’m talking about.

Often, when I attend these society parties, I see the most beautiful shoes on women only to be removed as the night wears on. They end up barefoot on the dance floor the later it gets. I, on the other hand, always carry an extra pair of shoes and reluctantly change into a lower heel as the night wears on. I think there should be a warning label on every high heel shoe that states: prolonged wearing may cause back pain, foot injuries, leg muscle injuries etc... Just many of the injuries associated with the prolonged use of high heels should deter women from wearing it. But the most obvious reason is the feeling of pain after wearing them for a few hours.

Some women like bags. Well, I am a shoe girl and I can’t tell you how many pairs of beautiful painful shoes sit in my closet today that I can’t part with. So I totally understand the whole appeal of beautiful painful shoes. Just like the era of corsets, it is always beauty before pain, which explains why so many women buy painfully high heels.

But don’t fret. A new procedure in the US where plastic surgeons are injecting collagen to the balls of women’s feet is becoming increasingly popular in order to accommodate the high-heel craze. Anything to look good I suppose. Now, plastic surgery —it’s a whole lot of suffering to look beautiful in itself but that’s a whole other topic. Till then I suggest you shell out a few bucks and purchase a Dr. Scholl gel pad for the balls of your feet. Or get used to staring at a closet full of pain!

Walking through the past

2009-03-20T09:21:00.000-07:00

By Emily Bird
www.argosy.ca

Culture embodies a medley of discourses that relate through an underlying constant, just as the once simple footwear evolved into a collection of continuous multiplication of creations. Today, one has boundless footwear options that achieve distinction by brand, style, and material. The shoe has transitioned from being solely a practical component of dress, to also being a fetish for contemporary artists and fashionistas.

Humankind first sought to protect the feet by whatever means were available to them. The earliest form of shoes originated from large leaves or bark being wrapped around the foot, and held together by vines that were tied underneath. In warmer global regions, shoes were often assembled with woven palm leaves or grass. Peoples who resided in cold climates primarily relied on meat for survival, and developed shoes out of the animal skins, resembling the moccasin.

Early civilizations predominantly adorned their soles with sandals. The Romans wore shoes that were both open and closed toe, trends that are currently displayed on fashion week runways. These shoes were crafted in a particular pattern of lacing, and nailed on the sole. The British were influenced by the Roman shoe but accommodated the style to their colder climate with a closed toe that was either an oval or round toe shape.

These historical civilizations never envisioned that the footwear they created with practical intentions, would transcend through the centuries and reach present couture runways where they inspired modern forms of art and design. Shoes then not had yet been created for separate feet; the straight shoes of early civilizations were designated for the shape of both feet rather than exclusively the left or right foot.

The Medieval period refined the shoe to a sharp point because of the modified construction of the shoe. No longer were the sole and upper portion joined like the thong sandal; medieval craftsmen stitched the two parts together to a sharp point. The point became a 14th century symbol of status corresponding to the length of one shoe point.

Naturally, the king and his court displayed their status, among their multitude of other symbols of power, with the longest pointed shoes of the kingdom. Women did not wear the pointed shoe at all, a clear indication of their place in society. By the end of the Medieval period, the shoe was yet again driven into another stage of metamorphosis; the point was reduced and remodeled to round and square toes.

Nearing the end of the 16th century, the beloved heal made it’s grandiose entrance as it would there after reign the world of footwear. The heal became a dominant structure of 2-3 inches, a mediocre height in amongst present shoe curators. No sooner did the height of heals augment did the actual shoe extend up to one’s knee; here the boot made it’s appearance as King Charles adopted this caste of shoe for both utility and original character. The boot gives one greater support and stability, along with protection that extends up to the knee.

Shoes of the 17th century are tagged by the innovation of straps and buckles. During this period, men sported square toes, and women sported round toes. The buckle was first adopted by men as women continued to wear the rounded toe that was kept in place with a feminine ribbon. Soon after, women opted for the more practical buckle which not only served to better fasten the shoe, but also become a part of the very style of the shoe.

Later, 18th century shoes became an exquisite form of delicate art as the focus was transferred from the form of the shoe and directed towards patterns and appliques of the shoe’s material. The elaborate patterns reflected the engrossed fabrics for female dress of the era such as detailed embroidery, delicate trimmings, and silver and gold metallic braids. Men’s shoes took an alternate turn and were very simple, predominantly made of black leather with pointed toes and low heels. Heels continued to decrease in size throughout the century, eventually disappearing for the next phase of the shoe. The once boisterous wide wedged shoes had evolved into dainty heel-less decor of silk and satin, kept in place on the foot with mere ribbon ties.

Several styles of shoe reigned throughout the 19th century, the boot, the court-style, the Oxford, and the Derby. Both men and women adorned their feet in boots that varied in style and material as the shoe was becoming more of an important wardrobe entity rather than just a simple piece of practicality. There were open toed lace-up boots, side-laced cloth boots, boots that buttoned up, and front laced boots with a closed tab. Women were given even further shoes options with the court style shoe that was made in a variety of luxurious materials including leather, reptile, and silk. Men were too privileged a few styles to choose from, such as the Oxford, a shoe that laces up in the front and closes at the tab, and the Derby shoes which laces up at the front with an open toe.

The 20th century inaugurated a profusion of shoes as this wardrobe staple had become a pertinent aspect of fashion amongst the rise of fashion and shoe designers. Several of the trends of the century include the two-tone, stiletto and platform. Hereafter, designers have taken such artistic angles with the shoe that some are purely creations to be on display, sometimes simply because they are impossible to walk in, completely disregarding the original purpose of the shoe.
The discourse of the shoe exemplifies how the simplest of things can be perceived differently by so many, it all depends on the angle one is looking through.

Keira kicks the shoe habit

2009-03-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Pirates of the Caribbean star, who has previously admitted to an expensive footwear addiction, has managed to stop buying and start RENTING.

“I think when I was very young and I suddenly started earning a bit of money and I could actually afford to buy shoes, I got very excited and bought a lot. I mean a lot!” she said.

“I haven't bought any in quite a while. Now I just rent them for the day.

"They give them to me for the day and I give them back in the evening, which is good.”

Source

2009-03-16T01:32:00.000-07:00

The £1,600 Spicy Sandal
The pair of navy suede 4.5 inch sandals are made
from goat leather by designer label Louis Vuitton.

The aptly named 'Spicy Sandal', features beads, sequins, feathers and gold-disc accessories for a striking tribal look.

And at a hideously expensive £1,600, the hot off the catwalk shoe from Vuitton's Spring/Summer 09 collection is strictly for A-listers.

But it seems that she's trailing in the fashion stakes as similar versions of the shoe have already been worn by Madonna, who modelled them in Louis Vuitton's print ads, and Heidi Klum, who was spotted in them in December at a Victoria Secret's launch.

The former Spice Girl arrived in London on Thursday from Milan for a series of meetings with her management company in Battersea.

As well as promoting her new clothing range at New York Fashion Week, she has been keen to spend time with husband David, who has revived his footballing career and who has recently secured a 'timeshare' deal to divide his services between AC Milan and his U.S. team LA Galaxy.

Their three sons remain in Los Angeles, where they are said to be settled and happy at school.

Victoria will stay in London for a few days to attend various meetings before returning to the States.

Source

Nation's Leading Flip Flop Retailer Partners with the International Shoe Charity Soles4Souls

2009-03-14T01:30:00.000-07:00

As the nation´s first retail chain exclusive to flip flops and sandals, Flip Flop Shops is riding high on the soaring, cult-like popularity of flips flops and the "Free-Your-Toes" movement it is promoting from coast to coast. But for Flip Flop Shops CEO Darin Kraetsch and President Brian Curin, they have found another mission they are equally passionate about – helping to provide footwear for the millions of shoeless and footsore individuals worldwide.

To this effect, Flip Flops Shops has just announced a partnership with Soles4Souls, an international charity that has distributed more than 4 million donated pairs of new and gently used shoes to people in over 70 countries.

"Partnering with Soles4Souls was natural for us," said Curin (size 10). "Soles4Souls reflects fundamental aspects of the Flip Flop Shops brand and culture. This decision was more than an act of corporate philanthropy; this was the alignment of two organizations that are passionate about helping those in need by providing footwear and the independence, confidence and support associated with a pair of shoes."

Flip Flop Shops has launched a broad scale campaign to bring the partnership to fruition at existing and soon-to-open Flip Flop Shops locations throughout North America. With three shops in operation and 20 shops under development, Flip Flop Shops will promote it´s "Free Your Toes…Bring Your Soles" events by hosting shoe drives at each Grand Opening and will offer discounts to customers that donate to Soles4Souls. Flip Flop Shops anticipates collecting 10,000 pairs of shoes in 2009 for donation to Soles4Souls."Our partnership with Soles4Souls is another example of Doing The Right Thing," said Kraetsch (size 10). "Doing The Right Thing is the driving force behind our culture and overall philosophy and we are proud to support such a great cause."

To fully integrate Flip Flop Shops consumers with the Soles4Souls mission, the Soles4Souls RV Tour will stop at Flip Flop Shops locations throughout the country, spreading its excitement and goodwill to local towns. Flip Flop Shops currently has locations operating in Arizona and California, and will soon open additional franchised shops in Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, New Jersey, Delaware, and Ohio; as well as forays into Vancouver, British Columbia and Guam.

Selling such popular brands as Reef, havaianas, Sanuk, Hurley and OluKai, Flip Flop Shops plans to reach 236 shops across North America within the next five years.-Source

Cobbler knows his Choos

2009-03-13T01:56:00.000-07:00

This time of year, when Randall Reichstadt closes his eyes at night, all he sees are boots. A tidal wave of scuffed, salt-stained boots. Come August, it'll be a sea of sandals with broken straps.

Reichstadt owns the shoe-repair shop on the lower level of Macy's downtown Minneapolis store. As a veteran of a fading craft, he has seen all kinds of leather, and made it look better. He's hoping the recession, bad for so many businesses, will be good to his.

Shoe repair has been in decline ever since mass-produced footwear became cheaper to replace than fix. But lately, even though it's the slow season, Reichstadt has noticed a slight uptick.

"About 70 percent of my customers are women, and they tend to go through their closets in the spring and fall to decide what to toss and what still has some wear in it," he said, picking up a pair of chocolate-brown stiletto-heeled ankle boots he'd just finished working on. "It cost $15.95 to recap the heels and shine these up, a lot less than a new pair."

Walking into Reichstadt's shop is like stepping back in time. Old wooden shoe stretchers hang above antique buffing and leather-stitching machines.

Reichstadt, 46, has practiced his trade for nearly 30 years. He got his first job sweeping out a shoe-repair shop when he was 13. He went on to become a young apprentice at what was then the Dayton's store in downtown St. Paul. After 10 years there, that repair shop closed, so he moved to the Minneapolis store and bought out the former owner six years ago.

When you love a pair of shoes enough to want them repaired, you don't look for the quick fix. You look for someone who can remove dog-tooth marks on fine calfskin with the care a mechanic uses to smooth out dents on a Jaguar.

Janna Chin, a Minneapolis wardrobe and set stylist, estimates that she owns several dozen pairs of shoes. She trusts Reichstadt, and only Reichstadt, with her Louboutins and Miu Mius. He put rubber soles on a pair of her Chloe ballet flats when others said it couldn't be done.

"I used to bring my shoes to London once a year to be worked on, because of the craftsmanship they have there," she said. "Now I bring them to Randy. He really has an attention to detail, appreciates the aesthetic of the shoe and uses the correct materials to repair them."

Reichstadt says that preventive measures for expensive footwear save money over time. His advice on caring for "investment" shoes: "Put sole protectors on right away, when they're brand new. It'll run you $28, and be worth it." A common problem with women's high-heeled, pointy-toed shoes is toe scuffing. His solution: a tiny metal dot on the sole near the tip of the toe, for increased durability. "That costs $3 vs. $22 to repair the toes."

The most important thing, however, is "general maintenance. Bring them in before they get really bad, and the job will be cheaper and better. Inspect your shoes more often, and polish and condition the leather."

Boots should always be waterproofed right away. "If you do get salt on them, wash it off as soon as possible," he said. "The more it stays on, the more it erodes the shoe."

In addition to know-how, Reichstadt's job requires patience, curiosity and a bit of an inventive spirit. "I still learn new things a few times a year, sometimes little tricks I come across almost accidentally, like using shoelaces to reinforce a patch lining, because they're stronger than leather."

He's also perfected a technique for removing salt stains from suede boots with diluted vinegar. But don't try it at home, or if you do, don't blame him.

"It's the process that makes the difference, and that's my trade secret," he said.

Because he's a guy, Reichstadt says, he doesn't really get the sentimental feelings many women have for their shoes. But he has certainly borne witness to it, time and again.

"I've been hugged a lot, when it turns out I can fix a shoe that didn't look fixable," he said. "Even been told 'I love you!' a few times."

Sometimes, when he has to turn down a pair that's just too far gone, here come the waterworks.

"They cry and when I try to give the shoes back, they say, 'Oh, I could never throw them away -- will you please do it?' So I give them a decent burial."

The shop doesn't ask for prepayment, the downside of which is a stack of unclaimed shoeboxes against one wall.

"We keep them 18 months, then they go to Goodwill," he said. "My daughter did get a nice Prada purse once."

Source

Browsing for men resembles shopping for shoes

2009-03-12T01:22:00.000-07:00

I like my men like I like my shoes – attractive with a strong sole and reasonable laces. By laces, of course, I mean a bonding sense of humor.

Love interests are like shoes, but don’t put the paper down yet, guys. Don’t tell me you’ve never compared your last girlfriend to those really awesome “Power Rangers” shoes with Velcro you had as a kid. They looked really awesome, but they were uncomfortable, and at the end of the day you just wanted to throw them out the window. OK so maybe you’ve never thought that, but now that I’ve pointed it out you know I’m right.

Sticking to my shoe analogy, shopping for shoes and dating have a lot of parallels. You can’t just waltz into a shoe store and say you want to buy some nice shoes. The clerk will inevitably try to sell you something too expensive that looks nice but doesn’t really match anything and is a little painful. You have to go in on the sly and nonchalantly find what you want.

Shopping styles vary drastically between men and women. Many or most women could spend all day trying on every pair until they find exactly what they’re looking for. Most men, on the other hand, are more likely to throw a rock and buy whichever pair the rock hits in an effort to get out as quickly as possible. That is, unless the rock hits dress shoes. At that point our hero will contemplate defaulting back to the “Power Rangers” slip-ons. Gentlemen, don’t do it. The Velcro is even less comfortable than you remember.

There are many different kinds of shoes, and not everyone can wear the same pair. Maybe you’re looking for a pair of easy to find, slip-on sandals that are cute for now but probably won’t last very long because they are cheap. Or, you may be looking for a pair of more expensive all-around shoes that are going to last forever. The latter requires some effort. You have to try on various pairs and make sure they look good and are comfy.

You might find a pair that is comfortable to wear and looks pretty good, but they don’t hold up for one reason or another. They wear out, and then you’re back to the store to find a new pair. Conversely, you might find a pair that looks great and would last a long time except they’re not exactly the right fit. They might work for a while, in fact they could work for a really long time, but eventually the difference in size will wear on you until you’re blistered and you find yourself going separate ways.

Lastly, we might draw some parallels to the fact that what you go into the store intending to buy is almost never what you come out with. It seems like it’s always that they don’t have my size or the color I thought I wanted. This isn’t really a big deal when you think about it as long as you come out having gained some sort of life experience. I’m more referring to dating here than shoe shopping, in case you weren’t sure.

Oh my, decisions, decisions. Time for the moral of the story – shoes purchased in haste are less likely to make it for the long haul and are more likely to have childhood heroes printed on the side in a less-than breathable material. Also, you could spend all day looking for just the right pair and never find them because it turns out you were shopping in the wrong store. What it really comes down to is timing and patience. Also a big fat dose of luck and absolutely no “Power Rangers.” No “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” either, just to be clear.

Source

Shoe collectors must have heart and sole

2009-03-11T01:05:00.000-07:00

Terry Foster / The Detroit News

The gray patent leather Air Jordan XI gym shoes were about to hit the shelves and Jason Johnson had an insider. One of his buddies worked at a Northland Mall shoe store and promised to set aside a pair.

But the friend couldn't hang onto them forever; it was important for Johnson to be among the first customers. So, Johnson arose early, skipped his first-hour class at Wayne State and headed for the mall. Then he ran into a problem: the main doors to Northland were locked and about 300 others already were waiting outside.

"You know, I'm thinking, 'What am I doing? I'm bugging out for a pair of sneakers,' " Johnson said.

Johnson is a "sneaker head." He's part of a subculture of mostly young men who go to great lengths to purchase the latest gym shoes.

"You break them out ... and you see the envy," Johnson said. "It's not for girls. It's for guys. It's for dudes. You are doing it so cats can see it and they are like, 'Aw, man, he got those on.' It's like I am fresher than you."

Another man, who wished only to be identified as A-Z, saw the same line at Northland.

"I am thinking I got no shot to get those shoes," A-Z said.

So he drove around the mall, stopping and checking every door. After dozens of tugs, he found an unlocked employee entrance. His determination rewarded, A-Z strolled inside and beat the throngs waiting outside the main doors.

"The thrill of it is cool," said Detroiter Teko Harmon, 25. "It is not just a collection. Each shoe has a significant meaning as weird as that might sound. I could go through all 800 or 900 of my shoes and I know where I was when I bought the shoe and what was going on. It's sort of like a memory. It's cool having that conversation piece. You might have something that only one of a few people have in the nation. People come in and look at your collection and they are like, 'Awwwww!' "

Expensive hobby

It can be an expensive hobby. The Air Jordan XI shoes cost $180.

Even though Johnson and A-Z -- self-described "Old Heads" -- scoff at "Flippers," who resell shoes for profit, there's the potential to make a lot of money in this game.

"New Heads" buy shoes on the Internet, often at inflated prices.

A two-shoe set of Air Jordans, which sold just before Christmas for $310 retail, is going for as much as $550. Recently, someone asked for $60,000 on EBay for his collection of 250 pairs.

But buyer beware. A number of dealers sell fakes.

Harmon said he sold a pair of beat-up shoes through the Internet for $800. Harmon said he expects the purchaser wanted the pattern to make fakes.

"If you saw these shoes you would throw them in the trash," said Harmon, whose 900 pairs are stored in four locations around Detroit and Chicago.

He estimates his collection is worth $60,000-$70,000, but believes he could get close to $100,000 if he sold it on the Internet. Still, he said he catches flack from his wife Erica for his shoe collection -- and the 70 pairs he has for 4-year-old daughter Tyler.

"It's one of those things that when she is 17- or 18-years-old she can say daddy got her first pair of Jordans," Harmon said. "That is something we can share."

A different world

Stepping into Burn Rubber in Royal Oak is like entering another world. The place is bright and one wall is lined with dozens of sneakers of all styles and colors.

On a recent day, proprietor Roland Coit, a personable sometimes-rapper, and four others discussed sneakers. They knew all the terminology and recalled release dates. Coit told the story of driving to East Lansing to purchase a pair of Heineken Dunks a college student was selling for $150.

"I am like driving 90 miles per hour on the freeway with $200 in my pocket," Coit said. "I get there and I say, 'I got to have those shoes.' Afterwards, I got home and I was lying down saying, 'What am I doing? What are you going to do with your life?' "

What Coit wanted was to open the first sneaker boutique in Michigan. He was beaten to the punch, but when the original owners of Burn Rubber decided to sell, Coit and his business partner Rick Williams jumped.

Johnson, too, has opened a store -- Bob's Classic Kicks on Woodward near Wayne State.

Ryan Townsend has turned his passion into business -- to a point.

Townsend, 26, of Detroit said he doesn't consider himself a flipper, but he does sell shoes through his Web site official313.blogspot.com. Townsend said he sells because he's protective of his sources.

"I collect more for myself," Townsend said. "What happened is people kept asking me where I got my shoes and I live in a city where they don't necessarily have all of those shoes. Our conversations went from 'I can't tell you' to 'If you want them you can get them from me.' I buy for myself, but it's also a business. But the business never supersedes my passion for it."

The older sneaker heads say the business is in decline because the market is being flooded with too many shoes.

"You want something nobody else has got," A-Z said. "If I see a suburban girl from Birmingham wearing some shoes then I don't want it. It's harder to get original stuff nobody else has."- Source

She Shoes: The Footwear-Obsessed 'Bad Dates'

2009-03-09T01:20:00.000-07:00

By AMY ELLIS |The Hartford Courant

I love shoes. When I was younger my mother would tell me I should marry a shoe salesman. (I didn't.)

So I jumped at the opportunity to dish about shoes with Jessica Wegener, 31, the costume designer for "Bad Dates," currently playing at New Haven's Long Wharf Theatre. The lone character in the show, Haley Walker — played by Haviland Morris — strikes a chord with many women who find shoes empowering.

We talked with Wegener by phone from Queens, N.Y. about her fabulous job.

Q: Tell me about the shoes in "Bad Dates."

A: The shoes were very important ... Luckily, were able to find a few key pairs of shoes that were designer and real for discount prices ... There is a shoe store in the city that is sort of what [the character] describes in the play. She talks about a little secret discount shoe store where you can find all kinds of designer and seconds and leftovers for less money ... We found a lot of shoes at places like Loehmann's and Century 21. Long Wharf also has a pretty nice stock of real designer shoes.

Q: Did you use any?

A: We actually used a lot of shoes from their stock. They had some really nice vintage Fendi and Ferragamo. They had some really beautiful shoes.

Q: Did the shoes fit the actress?

A: Yes. There is a wonderful, magical thing, and that is that Haviland actually does have a size 6 1/2 or 7 foot. So she fit right into a lot of the shoes.

Q: The character talks about the brands of shoes in the show. What brands does she talk about and what ones did you actually have?

A: She talks about Chanel, Jimmy Choo. I think those are the only two she specifically calls out. There are a few other really specific things she mentions about shoes, but they aren't necessarily brand names, they're just specifics about certain shoes. So we had a little leeway there. We actually had a lot more real designer shoes in the show than she mentions.

Q: Picking out the shoes must have been fun.

A: She and I kind of just chose shoes appropriate to the moment. So in some places because the shoes, while they are all designer, they are not supposed to be current season. ... Which makes it in a way even more difficult to do because you can't just go out and buy a pair of Chanel pumps. You need a pair of Chanel pumps that aren't current.

Q: Are you into shoes?

A: I actually just did all the shoes for "Shrek the Musical." So I recently have increased my knowledge of shoes a zillion fold because of all the custom shoes I had to have made for "Shrek." I was not the costume designer, I was an assistant. But I did design all the shoes and have them made. So I now have an extremely large shoe vocabulary. I actually enjoy shoes a lot. The funny thing is, if you're a costume designer, chances are you don't get to wear the pretty shoes very often because most of the time you're hoofing it around the city shopping. So while I have a great, great appreciation for beautiful shoes I don't actually have a huge collection of them or get to wear them very often. I have one pair of very expensive boots I wear every day.

Q: Nice! What are they?

A: I have a pair of beautiful, well they're kind of beat-up looking now but I guess that's how I like them, a beautiful pair of Ted Baker boots that I wear. They are super comfy.

Q: As a costume designer, are shoes sometimes the last things you think about when putting together a wardrobe?

A: It really depends. If you're doing something like a big Broadway musical, there is usually a person, like myself, specifically in charge of shoes. So in that case they do get designed and they do get thought about a lot. Of course, dancers have very, very, very high demands of their shoes.

Q: Are expensive shoes really worth buying?

A: There is sort of a myth that expensive, designer heels are much more comfortable than cheap heels. And I would say that in my experience, that is true. They have arch support, they have more padding in sneaky little ways that you wouldn't suspect.

Q: Would you suggest that a woman should have at least one really good pair of shoes in her closet?

A: I am a very strong believer that you buy once and buy good. I, for example, have one pair of shoes that I've worn all winter and they cost way more than I really ever wanted to spend on a pair of shoes. But the fact is I wear those shoes every day.

Q: What shoes are you wearing now?

A: Right now I'm wearing a pair of Minnetonka Moccasins that I wear around the house as slippers.

Source

Not all of us are sold on silly footwear

2009-03-08T09:27:00.000-07:00

ANTHEA McTEIRNAN
Irishtimes.com

For the men, here are those things you always wanted to know about being a woman – but never dared ask

What is it with women and shoes?

Women, if you believe everything you read, think of little else but shoes. Angela Merkel – shoes. Hilary Clinton – shoes. Mary Robinson – shoes. God help the European economy, US foreign policy and global development. We can only marvel they ever get a look in.

The statuesque Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Rebecca Adlington felt moved to push aside any issues that being the fastest woman over 800 metres in the water – ever – might raise about her femininity by getting giggly over a pair of Jimmy Choos promised to her by the mayor of Mansfield.

In 1912, China banned the disabling and torturous practice of footbinding. Small feet had been a prized sign of femininity for centuries – my, how China’s women had suffered for their gender. It’s 2009, but the west seems hell bent on continuing the ridiculous practice of encouraging half its population to prop themselves up on disabling footwear.

For the record, guys are not generally interested in feet. A male colleague tells me he has never heard a single man uttering the immortal words: “God, her shoes look great.” Feet really are a niche interest.

Remember, shoes can do a lot of damage. Ask George W Bush.

Why don’t women get the off-side rule?

It depends who you ask, lads, it really does. I’m guessing Ireland’s world champion boxer and international soccer star, Katie Taylor, has a fair grasp of the rules of the beautiful game. I wouldn’t be arguing with her about it anyway if I was you.

I’m postulating that Arsenal and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Emma Byrne might pop the hand straight up if she spotted a goal-threatening transgression by the opposition. RTÉ sports reporter Clare McNamara and our own soccer supremo Mary Hannigan have me convinced that in between dreaming of fluffy kittens and lipstick they spend the odd moment toying with the issues of Chelsea’s lack of width or Man Utd’s stubborn insistence on giving John O’Shea a game when he doesn’t look that bothered.

It’s not rocket science guys. After all, it’s a game that Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand have mastered. I rest my case.

Did working women cause the credit crunch?

This question from Newton Emerson of The Irish Times .

Fair dues. None of us want to be in the embarrassing position of keeping a man out of a job when we might spend our time more usefully in the home doing needlepoint or watching Loose Women .

It’s a novel idea. If only they’d thought of it before. Oops, they did – it was called the Marriage Bar. In the 1930s, the Republic, like many European countries, considered it a no-brainer that as a response to high unemployment a women should quit her job when she got married. Unlike in other places, where the marriage bar waned in the 1950s as growing economies needed an increased labour supply, here it persisted until the 1970s. The bar was abolished in the public sector in 1973, but has left a sour legacy: many women affected by the bar find themselves at an increased risk of poverty today – remember no job, no pension credits.

So it would appear we ladies have already made an economic sacrifice for the greater good. Your turn boys. Who was running the banks anyway?

Should you hold the door open for a woman?

You should hold the door open for anyone behind you. And seeing that women earn 17.1 per cent less than you, make up only 13 per cent of Dáil Éireann and at this rate will have to wait 370 years to get equal representation in running this country, I think they qualify as being behind you. We’ll take the door-holding as an admission of guilt. Thanks.

You’re on the Stillorgan dual carriageway. There’s someone observing the speed limit in the outside lane. You’re forced to illegally undertake. Women drivers, eh?

Apparently, despite what many of you allege, a woman’s hormones actually provide a steadying influence behind the wheel of a car.

Scientists at Bradford University reported recently that tasks requiring mental flexibility favour women over men. A woman’s oestrogen levels, they said, prime the part of the brain involved in augmenting attention span and the ability to learn rules. Think that covers driving, so.

But never mind independent scientific study. A quote from one of our own leading motor insurers reads: “We acknowledge that women are statistically safer drivers, and that claims made by female drivers are generally lower in value”.

Now hand over the keys.

Is a woman’s place in the kitchen?

Last week, the BBC’s popular Masterchef programme reached its thrilling climax. Did a woman win? Of course not. Could a woman have won? Once again, of course not, because the two blokes judging the baking show-down didn’t find a woman among the 96 entrants who was good enough to go head to head with the lads over a bit of pan-fried skate.

Maybe if the famous ingredients test had run as follows: “You have 40 minutes to make a dish from the following ingredients: fish fingers, beans, instant noodles and a jar of Uncle Ben’s sweet and sour sauce.”

Have a crack at that Gordon Ramsay.

Why don’t women put the bins out?

Ooops. Sorry, just thinking about shoes. They won’t put themselves out, though, love, will they?

Do we really need an International Women’s Day?

In Italy men give yellow mimosas to women on International Women’s Day. Yellow mimosas and chocolate are given as presents in Russia on March 8th. Here in Ireland we’ll settle for equal pay.

By the way, if you’re feeling a little jealous or left out there is an International Men’s Day. It’s on November 19th. So if there isn’t a match on you know what you can do . . .

Source

Walking the talk on footwear price tags in Italy

2009-03-08T01:15:00.000-08:00

R. Balaji

Milan, March 6 What is the price of this pair? That is usually the first question the group of Indian retailers asks at every stall in the Micam ShoEvent, the Italian international footwear fair.

More than € 100 and multiples thereof. And that is the price ex-factory. So by the time they hit the retailers’ shelves the prices would quadruple. The conversation immediately comes to a stop. The sample goes back to the shelf and the group moves on to the next stall.

It is the second day of the fair organised by the National Association of Italian Footwear Manufacturers showcasing the medium and high end brands. The Indian retailers and the couple of Indian journalists are there thanks to the Italian Trade Commission that has organised the visit.

Among the group are promoters and representatives of fast growing retail chains with major expansion plans such as Lord’s Shoes, The Loot, and Citywalk, and a couple of representatives of premium brands. They are looking for leather shoes in the vicinity of €15 up to a maximum of €40. According to Mr Jay Gupta, Managing Director, The Loot (India) Pvt Ltd, which operates over 100 outlets offering garments, footwear and accessories, the math would work out at the lower end of this range. At Rs 2,000-3,000 they would be in great demand.

Mr Karim Premjee of Lord’s says the top-end of that range his retail chain can sell over a 100 pairs a day costing up to Rs 20,000. But, for now, it appears that most Indian customers may have to wait a while to afford some Italian snob value. One exhibitor asked: Have you seen any of the Italian manufacturer offering shoes at that price? The answer is no.

However, the prices match in the case of products from Spain, Portugal and Brazil. Incidentally, the handful of exhibitors from India have products in that range but they do not sell in India. Ideally, the group wants Italian tag. It would be nice to have Italian shoes for the Indian customers. So, the group moves to different sections of the fair spread over 74,000 sq.m area with over 1,000 Italian manufacturers.

No luck. Price is the key factor for India and Italy, but for different reasons. For Italy, the price positioning is a mark of its brand. If you sell a premium product you do not cut rates easily. Mr Loredano Carvaro, Director, Vittorio Virgili, a manufacturer of medium and upper segment shoes, makes the point. Bringing down prices is going to be tough for the Italian brands. What happens to brand positioning? he asks.

So with buyers from across the world visiting the fair, what do they look for? Exclusivity. Replies Mr Emad Mahmud, a buyer from Kuwait. He first asks if the Italian shoe maker has a representative in Kuwait. If yes, then no deal. What he buys should not be available in other shops. Italian prices are a perfect fit for West Asian customers who can afford the latest in Italian fashion. So are the Chinese who can be found in large numbers and buyers from all over Europe. And what do the Chinese want to know first? According to one Italian manufacturer, they want to know where the shoes are from…to ensure that it is true-blue Italian and not from one of their own factories in China.- Source

Funky and functional, the barefoot shoe

2009-03-07T05:33:00.000-08:00

Reinventing the shoe, at least for boaters and watersports enthusiasts, has been the mission of a company better known for its durable soles, Vibram. The shoes have made their debut locally

It’s unlikely that Fivefingers footwear will ever pad down the Oscar red carpet — zany actor Jack Black excluded, of course — but they could still become extremely fashionable.

Especially among boaters and water sport enthusiasts, says Bill Oberdorster, Ships Store manager at Rose Marco River Marina.

The footwear, developed as a “barefoot alternative,” features a glove-like design that allows great freedom of movement, slip protection and also has health benefits, says Oberdorster.

Upon recently learning of the product — created by the Vibram sole company — Oberdorster was quick to order a selection to woo local boaters and visitors to the marina.

“I thought they’d be a good fit for the store,” he says with a hint of a chuckle.

A boater himself, Oberdorster vouches for the footwear.

“I’ve slipped on the bow of my boat many times,” he says. “And, sliding into a cleat isn’t the happiest thing.”

It might be fair to call them plug ugly, something Oberdorster doesn’t contest.

“Sure, they’re funny looking, but it was the same thing with Crocs,” he says. “They were a fad, and then everybody wanted them because they are so comfortable.”

The shoes, he says, come in different styles, including one that prevents sand from entering them.

They’re washable, and vary in price from about $70 to $80.

“That’s not cheap,” Oberdorster says, “but you’re paying for the research and technology.”

Marco Island boater and fitness enthusiast Kim Escarra sampled the shoes (see accompanying video) and came away impressed.

“They’re funky, but really comfortable,” she said.

She added that she may considering buying a pair.

Vibram company information highlights non-marking outsoles designed to follow the contours and flex points of the foot and toes with razor-siping for a sure grip on wet, slippery surfaces.

The inner footbed has an antimicrobial application that kills odor-causing microbes, the company says.

The 43-year-old marina, formerly the Marco River Marina, was about five years ago acquired by longtime Marco Island businessman Bill Rose.

Oberdorster has been with the store for the past 17 years, and says it has grown steadily during that time to its current size of 6,000 square feet.

It handles clothing as well as rentals, fuel and dockage.

Source

French shoe designer Louboutin talks footwear

2009-03-07T05:30:00.000-08:00

Christian Louboutin's shoes are often a cause for - or a result of - celebration.

Attorney Roya Haririan of Villa Park, Calif., bought a light gold pair for her wedding ceremony in May. Art critic and curator Alexx Shaw of Los Angeles wheedled her father into getting the $6,295 Marie Antoinette shoes in pink for her upcoming 25th birthday.

The two women were among hundreds who lined up Tuesday to meet Christian Louboutin at his South Coast Plaza boutique in Orange County, Calif.

Before meeting his fans to sign autographs, the French designer talked with me about his background, inspiration and point of view.

Question: You're here today to officially launch your Marie Antoinette shoe. Why did you decide to bring it here?

Answer: I wanted to bring something that nobody had seen in America. The Marie Antoinette shoe was just going to be finished when I was coming. It was a good moment to bring a queen of France.

Q: Where do you find your inspiration?

A: It actually depends. It can come from any conversation. Life is like that. You know, you see a movie. You never knew about the movie. For instance, I saw "Doubt," and I thought that it was an incredible movie. And definitely "Doubt" is so pure in a way. It's a totally inspiring movie.

Q: I saw that Amy Adams, who was in "Doubt," was wearing your shoes at the Oscars.

A: I had to meet Amy Adams. And I was very excited. I had not even seen "Doubt." She's so wonderful in the movie. But I came later than expected. I had a crazy schedule. So did she. We'll do it next time.

Q: Did you see others wearing your shoes at the Oscars?

A: I saw different people. I did not take care of this personally. I saw Meryl Streep. She was in the hotel just before we went to the ceremony.

Q: Do you have a favorite pair of all the ones you've designed?

A: I don't have one favorite pair. I would say my favorite pair is the one I have in my brain that is not yet finished. It's the next one.

It's just like people, just like friends. It's difficult to say this is my best friend. It's a bit complicated. The same thing with my shoes. Some I like because of the design, some I like because it reminds me of a specific period. Some I like because it makes me think of a specific souvenir.

Some have been very challenging, like Marie Antoinette. It's the first time I worked with (embroiderer) Jean-Francois Lesage. It's a very nice shoe for me, in terms of the design maybe, but also in terms of the whole process of the thing. It's attached to someone who is an old friend of mine, for 20 years now, and we had never worked together.

Q: Do you think about the outfits that women are wearing with your shoes?

A: It depends. Some people you work in collaboration with. If you already have a dress, it needs to be in accordance. But that's very easy. I do 16 shows per season, meaning 16 different designers.

Q: Is there a celebrity or muse you think wears your shoes the best?

A: I can't say that of one person because when you're designing for women in general, it's very difficult to shrink in one woman the essence of women.

I have four sisters. I was the youngest, still the youngest. I remember complaining to my mother, "I don't have four sisters, I have 400 witches in the house."

One person is already a lot of different characters according to the day or the mood, boyfriend or no boyfriend, diet or no diet. One person is already a hundred persons.

And also, I like to be surprised by people in a way. Sometimes I'm doing shoes and I see them on women, and I did not expect them to be worn that way. And it's nice. I'm definitely not a dictator. I'm just thinking of the shoe, concentrating on that. It belongs to them, not to me.

Q: Do you pay attention to the physiology of the foot?

A: Yes, of course. I'm a bit of a doctor.

Q: A podiatrist?

A: No, not really. I wouldn't go that far. With the height of the heel I'm doing, I would not say that. Suffering to be beautiful doesn't work. It gives you bad faces, which doesn't work.

What I like is if women look at my shoes and she finds it beautiful. She's not thinking, "Oh my God, how comfortable it is."

But of course there is inside work to be done. But it doesn't need to be explained.

Q: Can you explain the unusual video of feet and shoes in your store?

A: I did not do the video. This girl who's a friend of mine, I asked her to do a window in Paris. And she said, "I'm going to do an installation with videos."

It looked great and it was very funny because people were glued looking at the video. We decided together to have videos but it's all below the knees because there is a lot of expression in the language, the body language, from the knee to the foot.

I told her it's enough to explain a story through feet.

Q: What does your typical day look like?

A: It's changing. If I have a random day, it's divided into three places. It could be Paris, because I have my office there and it's my hometown. And it's also Italy, where I spend a lot of time in the factories. And also Egypt where I spend a lot of time designing.

Q: What's next for you?

A: I'm going to go to Moscow for the opening of the exhibition that I did with David Lynch called "Fetish." I've done shoes that are totally fetish shoes, they aren't meant to walk at all. I asked David to photograph them.

Source

P2.1-M worth of fake Vans shoes seized in Pasay

2009-03-06T05:03:00.000-08:00

Fake Vans rubber shoes worth 2.1 million pesos have been confiscated by the authorities in simultaneous raids in Pasay City, officials reported on Thursday.

Joint operative s of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) seized the counterfeit goods Wednesday after series of surveillance and test-buys operations.

Lawyer Elfren Meneses, head of the NBI’s Intellectual Property Rights Division, the fake shoes were seized from one sales outlets of Ramaceda Shoe Marketing, R.R. Fernando Footwear, Nikki Want, and Amezing Wang Alok Building along Agtarap Street in Pasay and at the Harrison Shoe Plaza along F. B. Harrison corner Agtarap Streets.

A total of 1,179 pair of counterfeit Vans rubber shoes were confiscated during the raid, said Meneses.

He said the PNP and NBI operatives obtained a search warrant from the court after c onfirming in surveillances and test buys the evidence gathered by Orion Support Incorporated (OSI), a market research firm representing the intellectual property rights of Vans.

Meneses said charges of trademark infringement under the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines or Republic Act 8293 are being prepared against the owners of the raided stores.

Vans shoes are produced by the Van Doren Rubber Company, which was established in the United States in 1966. - GMANews.TV

Issue: High Heels

2009-03-04T02:35:00.000-08:00

Source

If the shoe fits: One man’s sexual fascination with women’s shoes

2009-03-04T01:40:00.000-08:00

I really like a thick 1940s heel with a rounded toe. But I don’t like stilettos. Boots are a gray area. While Uggs are hideous, the dead animal skin boots worn correctly are kind of sexy in that snowwoman way and hooker boots work with miniskirts.

Recently I’ve started paying attention to shoes and what kinds turn me on. I wouldn’t classify it a fetish, but I can see how people can get off on sexy shoes or feet.

The same can be said for any piece of clothing. Nina Hartley, registered nurse and MILF pornstar, suggests using clothing fetishes to your advantage.

If you are in the mood and your boyfriend is not, grab those boots, tweed hat or spandex to lure your boyfriend away from the Xbox.

Finding shoes and clothing erotic are sometimes considered a paraphilia, according to Discovery Health’s Web site.

Paraphilia is a fetish involving arousal of a normally asexual or extreme object or act, such as shoes, underwear and voyeurism or sadism that causes significant distress or social impairment. It’s only a paraphilia if that object or act is frequently the only thing that can make you climax.

Most people don’t have paraphilias as props have become pretty standard due to shows like “Talk Sex with Sue Johanson” and sex columns like this.

Some of you are purists and that’s great but the rest of us really like fantasy and lacy red things – thank god grandma’s doilies are white.

You can blame porn or the American Dream – never be satisfied – or some atypical upbringing, but really it doesn’t matter. I like shoes because Scarlett, my girlfriend, has more than 50 pairs and talks about them a lot. So I could complain about necessity and poor people in Africa or I could make the best of it.

For me it’s the way Scarlett carries herself when wearing heels. She acts important, stands tall, steps heavy and bosses people around. She also has perfect display-size seven feet, with high arches, properly shaped toes and soft, milky skin.

Scarlett’s posture is phenomenal, as in she can walk down stairs in heels with a book on her head.

And she can do squats in high heels. That’s hot. Posture is a big deal; there’s nothing worse than a sexy man or woman carrying an invisible midget on his or her back.

The best part about liking shoes is that it makes those inevitable shoe shopping trips slightly more bearable. Instead of sitting in the man chair pouting and throwing a fit, which is fun, I actively find shoes I want Scarlett to wear.

If she says she doesn’t have anything to match, I just remind her clothing is optional.

Plus, high heels augment many of those complicated standing positions by lifting the butt higher and easing bent over poses.

If you’re closer to the fetish range, meaning you can’t get off without the shoes, they’re nice to look at in any position. It’s also nice to see a girlfriend wear something you picked out.- Source

Moccasins - An Excellent Choice Of Footwear For Hunters!

2009-03-03T01:58:00.000-08:00

The word “moccasin” can be traced back to the year 1612 and originated from a Virginia Algonquian

language.

Moccasins are footwear (low tailored shoes) that are constructed from soft leather (generally deerskin) and were at first the predominant footwear for hunters, traders, settlers and the North American Indian tribes.

Moccasins are soft, and very quiet to walk in, which made them an excellent choice of footwear for hunters to get around in without being detected by their prey.

As well, since they are constructed from leather, they have good traction and easily soak up liquids.

The decorations of moccasins:

In the beginning different tribes of Indians decorated their moccasin footwear differently depending on its specific use. The most commonly used items were beads and shells. Some tribes’ preferred decorative tongues while others went in for pieces of leather hanging from the heel of the moccasin, and still others, tiny tails that dragged behind as the person walked.

A wearer’s tribe could often be determined simply by taking note of the footprint’s shape. For example, the Great Lakes tribes favored rabbit-nose shaped toes, the plains Indians, flat toes, the Iroquois relished the look of moccasins that were wide on the bottom and finally, the Eastern Forest Indians tribes enjoyed very thin ones.

The decorations of moccasins differ from purpose to purpose and tribe to tribe. For example, most tribes had their own version of marriage moccasins and these were beaded all over the top of the moccasin.

Hunting moccasins on the other hand were “no-nonsense” as they had no decorations and were constructed with a piece of leather wrapped around the foot. Many tribes had special moccasins for death (what they called the journey into the afterlife) and they were adorned with beads on the top, sides and soles.

The patterns of moccasins:

The patterns of moccasins included everything from religious symbols to spiritual symbols to floral patterns to geometric shapes to zoomorphic designs. Some tribes went for an added elegant touch by including a piece of velvet on the cuffs.

Groups of Moccasins shoes:

Moccasins shoes fall in separate groups- the hard-sole and soft-sole groups.

Hard-sole moccasins began as Native American moccasins and were generally made from two or more pieces of hide with the hard sole of shaped rawhide and the fitted leather upper needing more complex tailoring than other types of moccasins.

Hard-soled moccasins were very protective to the feet when an individual walked across rough terrain, such as ground covered by prairie grass, sharp rocks and harsh cactus plants. The Apache tribe wore two-piece moccasins that featured a turned up toe. This toe worked as a preventative for sharp objects running into the seams of the moccasin and hurting the foot.

Soft-soled moccasins on the other hand were popular in the Eastern Forest tribes and were fashioned from one piece of leather. The moccasin was constructed by bringing up the sole around the foot and then proceeding to patch or pucker the material around the instep.

Soft-soled moccasins were made with a soft-soled center seam and a pucker- toe and were excellent for treading through woodlands that were covered with pine needles and leaves.

The soft-soled moccasins that were worn in the Plains and the Northwest Coast were constructed from one piece of tanned leather but were sewn along the side rather than the center of the moccasin. There were variations to the soft-soled moccasin, which included a vamp (or u-shaped piece of leather) being added and another piece at the back, known as a cuff was also added.

Many of the Iroquois and Great Lake tribes constructed their moccasins with a wide vamp in such a way that it covered over the majority of the upper front of the shoe. It was other Eastern Forest tribes that fashioned moccasins with a shorter, narrower vamp that connected up with a central puckered seam that ran down the length of the shoe.

The defining characteristic of a moccasin is the unique way the material is sewn together. Moccasins are made inside out and a “last” (or permanent form) is not used. The bottom seams of these shoe face toward the foot when the shoes are turned right side out.

The seams are trimmed and there are removable lambswool pads, which are to be found in the bottom part of the moccasin. The moccasin is designed such that the seams never come in contact with the foot.- Source

Before You Buy Baby's First Shoes

2009-03-03T01:50:00.000-08:00

Your baby is walking! Now is the time to shop for some baby walking shoes. Before you buy, though, check out these tips to be sure you get a pair of baby shoes that will help, not hinder, your baby's walking experience.

When Should I Buy Shoes for Baby?

If your baby is starting to take a few steps, it's time. Many parents prefer to let their children walk without shoes, which is fine. A good amount of barefoot time can be helpful to new walkers, who need to figure out how their feet work before having shoes on all day. There are times, though, when it's dangerous or just plain gross for baby to go barefoot, so all babies need a pair of shoes to protect those sweet little feet from harm.

What Kind of Baby Shoes Should I Buy?

Baby shoes should be soft and flexible so that baby can use his or her feet properly for balance. The bottom should be non-slip and should have plenty of traction, but steer clear of extra-thick soles that might trip baby up. High-top baby shoes aren't necessary for ankle support, but if you do choose high-tops, be sure baby can still wiggle his or her ankles or it may be hard for baby to walk very well. Look for shoes in a breathable material so baby's feet stay cool and comfy.

How Should Baby Shoes Fit?

Babies should not have to break in their shoes. After your baby has toddled around the store in the new shoes for a while, take the shoes off and check baby's feet for any signs of chafing or pinching. If the shoes rub or seem to make walking difficult, find another pair. You should be able to put your pinky finger in between the heel of the shoe and the baby's foot, and there should be about a thumb-width between baby's toes and the end of the shoe.

Laces or Velcro?

Laces do need to be re-tied a lot, which may send parents in search of Velcro baby shoes. It's a matter of personal choice. Lace-up shoes are harder for babies to take off. Velcro is easier to figure out for the young mind, so be prepared for baby to learn to remove Velcro shoes fairly quickly. Try tying the shoe laces a few times in the store. You'll be tying and re-tying these shoes a lot, so be sure the laces are long enough and easy to work with. If you choose a slip-on shoe for baby, put the shoe on a few times in the store to be sure it slips on easily for dressing but doesn't fall off when baby walks.

When Should I Shop?

Just like adults, babies' feet can sometimes swell towards the end of a hard day. Shopping for baby's walking shoes later in the day will ensure the shoes are not too tight when baby's tootsies are tired. Plan your shopping trip for after a nap or at a time when your baby is normally in a good mood. Getting a cranky, tired baby to walk around and model shoes won't make for a pleasant trip.

How Often Should I Buy Shoes?

Check the fit of your baby's shoes at least once a month. All babies grow at different rates, but you can expect to buy shoes in bigger sizes at least every three to six months. Some babies, like my daughter, will require bigger shoes almost monthly. Check for signs of wear on the shoes and be ready to replace them if the bottoms crack or if there are holes in top or sides. Babies and toddlers will find plenty of things to trip over, so be sure their shoes aren't part of the problem!

Source

Are you fashion conscious when it comes to shoes?

2009-03-02T01:11:00.000-08:00

"We feel fashion only means clothing. We might buy designer suits and other clothes but shoes are never considered a part of making a fashion statement. You see a person earning Rs.2 million wearing the same kind of shoes which a person earning Rs.20,000 wears," Abdul Tawwab Khan, a professional footwear designer, said. Khan launched a men's footwear collection in the Lakme Fashion Week in 2007 and a second collection in 2008.

He felt that even celebrity fashion icons were ignorant about footwear fashion. "All those who visited my stall (in the fashion week), including many celebrities, were surprised when they asked the price (of the shoes). They immediately asked where the shoes were made. They consider that footwear is not an area where we spend money. So my aim is to make people aware that good shoes are made in India as well," Khan said.

According to industry reports, the Indian footwear industry was said to be worth $1.48 billion in 2008, making it the second largest global producer of footwear after China. The country produces over two billion pairs of different categories of footwear and nearly 95 per cent of its production goes to meet its own domestic demand.

The export is targeted to reach $3.43 billion in 2008-09, and is expected to reach $4.53 billion by 2010-11. India exports footwear to around 30 countries. Despite that, "when it comes to fashion what comes to my mind are shirts, trousers and suits but never the thought of shoes to make a fashion statement," aspiring model Abhishek said.

"We have not been spending much on shoes. A lady can spend hundreds of thousands on l ehngas but she will not spend Rs.2,000 on footwear," owner of Mirza International Tauseef Mirza said. The firm has footwear brands like Red Tape.

"Fashion in footwear is still a dream. What I bought last year is still on the shelves this year. There is no innovation. I have been trying to get a good pair of shoes for my sister's wedding for three days, but all in vain," said Amit, a customer at a footwear outlet.

Lokesh Mishra, general manager of clothes and footwear retail store Woodland, said: "There are only a limited number of players in the footwear industry. In India there is an acute lack of funds for research and development in this industry. No company wants to experiment, they just see whichever design has a good market and they copy from each other."

Designer Abdul Tawwab Khan, however, sees a bright future in India for footwear fashion, though he knows progress will be slow. Mishra also feels that the footwear fashion industry in the country will come of age. "People are getting interested in footwear fashion. They ask for good designs. It's a slow process but within two to three years footwear fashion will turn around."

Photograph prompts shoe drive at Shawnee Mission East

2009-03-01T01:32:00.000-08:00

Eighteen-year-old Savannah Duby of Prairie Village wants to save the world through art.

But if that doesn’t pan out, the Shawnee Mission East High School senior will just have to save Mother Earth by recycling — one pair of shoes at a time.

Duby and her friends in the school’s Environmental Club have partnered with Soles4Souls, a global non-profit organization that distributes new and used shoes to natural disaster victims, to launch their own collection effort.

A photo taken by Amy Gottlieb, a 1987 Shawnee Mission East graduate, inspired the drive and fueled the passion behind the project.

On assignment last summer in Malawi with the Centers for Disease Control Global AIDS program, Gottlieb attended a local running race in a remote and mountainous terrain.

One runner’s shoes, she noted, where hardly shoes at all, but tattered soles barely tied to calloused brown feet. Gottlieb grabbed her camera and took a photograph.

Back home, the image jarred the Midwestern sensibilities of Margaret Goldstein, a member of the Prairie Village Environmental Club, who helped pitch the idea of a shoe drive to students.

Searching for a service project to replace the club’s annual Earth Day celebration in April, Duby and her friends needed little coaxing to take on the project.

For Duby, president of the school’s environmental club, the drive is all about big-picture environmental sustainability.

“We will reuse perfectly functional footwear that would have been disposed of in landfills and the shoes that are too beat up to wear will be broken down for their rubber,” said Duby. “We want to encourage people to think what they put in the landfill.”

The goal is to collect as many as 5,000 pairs of shoes by April 11, Goldstein said. In the first week alone, some 200 pairs have been collected at more than a dozen sites in Prairie Village, Overland Park, Olathe, Leawood and Kansas City, Kan.

“We’re finding out people have a surplus of shoes that they have been holding on to for no reason whatsoever,” Goldstein said. - Source

FitFlops Already Selling Fast at Fitness Footwear

2009-03-01T01:30:00.000-08:00

FitFlops have been the leading fit and fashionable flip flop since 2008 when chat show queen Oprah Winfrey endorsed them on US television. Since then all manner of celebrities, fitness gurus and fashionistas have been wearing them. But FitFlops aren't just another fashionable fitness gimmick and the rapidly soaring sales in anticipation of another hot British summer speak for themselves.

Emma Barlow, Fitness Footwear Partner said: "Last summer FitFlops completely sold out. The FitFlops Company didn't have any more to send to the retailers, so many people were left still wanting a pair of FitFlops."

After the disappointment for thousands of customers last year, sales of FitFlops have been steadily rising as soon as the snow stopped and the temperatures began climbing.

"We're really looking forward to the next few months," said Mrs Barlow "Summer is a big time for us thanks to the sudden interest in our wide range of Birkenstocks sandals, walking sandals and FitFlops."

FitFlops are so popular thanks to a reversed engineered form of the wobble-board technology. All designs in the FitFlops range feature this revolutionary sole that is designed to destabilise the foot of the person wearing them whilst walking. This then stimulates the slow twitching muscles in the legs and buttocks, tightening and toning them through this enhance form of exercise. These slow twitching muscular fibres which rapidly burning off extra calories are typically well developed in sprinters and similar athletes who benefit from short and intense activity.

The end result is slimmer legs and a smaller bum, which explains why FitFlops are in such high demand by so many women without the time or money to attend gym classes.

"FitFlops have been quickly established as a fashion brand as well as a fitness brand, which has given their FitFlop shoes a broad appeal to all sorts of people, including our loyal customer base of runners and outdoor enthusiasts who can't get enough of them when the summer rolls around."

Last summer FitFlops were so popular that retailers sold out of stocks in a matter of weeks with the more elusive FitFlops designs like the FitFlop Walkstar Black selling out in just a few days. Following the FitFlops frenzy of 2008, the FitFlops brand has announced a variety of exciting new FitFlop styles in a number of bright new colours and designs while increasing production of their leading FitFlop Walkstar range.

The demand for Fit Flops is predicted to be bigger than ever this year despite nationwide worries of recession. As a result, retailers have stocked up on FitFlops ahead of schedule, which has no doubt sparked the earlier sales.

Resources:
With over 30 brands, more than 2000 products and thousands of new customers every day, Fitness Footwear is one of the fastest growing independent shoe retailers in the UK. Fitness Footwear bring their philosophy of efficiency and fun to their products and company culture, with a huge selection of shoes, boots and footwear for every activity and occasion, combining the comfort with style and function with fashion.-Source

Xtraordinary Hosting Proves Magento Hosting Success for Lodger Footwear

2009-02-28T01:26:00.000-08:00

Few businesses can boast a prime minister as a customer and sales from 6 continents within the first 2 months of opening. Yet that is just what the hi-tech gentlemen’s shoe phenomenon that is Lodger Footwear has achieved with its choice of bespoke, customised and ready to wear shoe collections.

That ‘customised’ option holds the secret of their success. Men of all ages are drawn to the customised-fit based on extremely accurate and detailed laser scanner measurements of their feet. The custom-fit provides near bespoke comfort and quality at around a third of the bespoke cost, without sacrificing any of the luxury materials and bespoke customer service.

The laser-scanning device that takes over 50 detailed measurements to create a 3-D map of each individual foot is at the heart of both Lodger’s bespoke and customised ‘best-fit’ options. The system was developed by Lodger’s founder, Nathan Brown, who has a background with the top sports footwear manufacturers, having worked with Nike in the US, adidas in the US and Germany, and Puma in the UK.

What Nathan doesn’t know about shoe construction, comfort and performance isn’t worth knowing. At 6’9,” taking size 14s, he has a more than a fleeting personal interest in comfortable footwear. That unique combination of knowledge, passion and personal drive made him the ideal person to blend the history and craft of bespoke men’s shoes with the latest technological advances. That’s what he did when he created Lodger Footwear in the autumn of 2008.

Increasingly Lodger takes their measuring equipment to the US and the Middle East, because, once measured, customers can later re-order their choice of bespoke or customised shoes.

The customised ‘best-fit’ shoes can be adapted from the ready to wear collections or Lodger’s shoe of the month, available for that month only, subject to the shape of the foot and the suitability of the designs. Lodger provide individual advice on the best choices. With manufacturing facilities in the UK and Italy, Lodger also offers three ready-to-wear collections: English Classic, English Contemporary and Italian Contemporary.

As befits the English collections, the Lodger Footwear shop is situated in London, UK, in the heart of the fashionable West End.

Nathan Brown says, “Although I’m an American, there was no choice but to open in London, which is the most sophisticated market in the world for well-made men’s shoes. London men understand the rules of classic dress but have the creativity to selectively break them. The superlative footwear craftsmanship available nearby in Northampton was also important. We also have manufacturing facilities in Italy. That combination of Italian flair and English craftsmanship allows us to offer both top quality fashion and top quality classic footwear, all produced to exceptionally high quality standards.

“Some of our customers have quite literally never found smart, comfortable shoes until they came to us. For example, we produced the first pair of comfortable lace-up shoes for a Mongolian rugby player who had extraordinarily wide feet.”

But it is online where Lodger’s ability to innovate comes to the fore. To take this blend of perfect-fit, technology, current fashion trends and extraordinary customer service online, Lodger worked with Twiss Consulting on marketing strategy before engaging US, Chicago-based Gorilla on creative web design to develop LodgerFootwear.com.

Lodger already sets a blistering fashion pace by producing a new shoe design each month, available for that month only. Gorilla suggested using a blog seamlessly integrated with the website to feature the shoe of the month and other insights into footwear at “The Gentleman’s Corner”. The blog’s RSS structure means it gets into search engines much faster than traditional website HTML.

But Gorilla has delivered much more than mere functionality. They have created an experience that is as aesthetically powerful and engaging as the Lodger shoes themselves. They responded with a ‘best of breed’ feature-rich ecommerce platform that is easy to use and intelligently retains customer data, whilst using top end photography and design and innovative features to reinforce the Lodger Footwear brand.

In a move that echoes the way Lodger customises their digital shoe lasts for a best-fit, Gorilla adapted the powerful open source Magento ecommerce platform and online marketing solution for Lodgerfootwear.com. Magento is a feature-rich, professional open-source eCommerce solution that offers complete flexibility and control over the look, content, and functionality of an online store. Gorilla customised the Magento e-commerce platform to provide Lodger's central inventory management system and online sales engine. Magento's rich functionality was used to include a customer “wardrobe”; secure order history and tracking; plus a digital address book for quicker checkout; multiple cross-selling, up-selling and promotions. Magento is also optimised for search engine technology allowing users to attract and convert more qualified customers, leading to business growth.

To host the Lodger site, Gorilla chose UK-based Xtraordinary Hosting as one of the most experienced Magento hosting providers available. Eric Walter explains, “Gorilla chose Xtraordinary because we were looking for a host that not only had experience hosting Magento sites, but had demonstrated an understanding of the technology and thus the capability to provide reliable hosting for our Magento-based site.”

Andrew Ogilvie, founder of Xtraordinary Hosting adds, “We are a Magento Silver partner, and we have been so since Magento's official launch. Xtraordinary Hosting’s virtualised platform for Magento Hosting provides guaranteed minimum levels of guaranteed memory and processing power. Xtraordinary's Magento hosting is highly tuned to provide lightning response times as it caches PHP code requests to reduce code compilation load. We further reduce the load by using memory-based storage of temporary files and we have optimised the Magento database to make the best use of available memory.

"Hosting is handled on Xtraordinary's well established and highly regarded Xen virtual hosting platform featuring high specification HP servers to deliver Gorilla’s remit of a fast, responsive hosting solution, customised and optimised for Magento.

Gorilla also specified an ability to cope with growing traffic levels, in particular to scale up in terms of bandwidth usage, processing power and memory capacity. Scalable hosting is particularly easy on Xtraordinary Hosting’s Xen servers.

Xtraordinary’s Magento hosting platform is build on an entirely open source platform consisting of Magento, PHP, Zend, Apache, MySQL, Xen and Ubuntu Linux. This is a powerful combination of widely used software products which have proven reliability and stability.

Xtraordinary Hosting was also particularly suited to providing strong UK and international Internet connectivity via membership of LINX (the London Internet Exchange) and their own diverse blend of Tier-1 networks such as NTT, Level(3), Global Crossing, Tiscali International, and Abovenet. Xtraordinary Hosting manages the Lodger site at Interxion’s secure datacentre in central London and, in keeping with Lodger’s meticulous attention to detail, they provide a fully managed service.

Andrew Ogilvie says, “Xtraordinary Hosting take care of all the behind the scenes maintenance allowing Lodger to literally get on with minding the shop. We look after service monitoring 24/7 and provide a round the clock troubleshooting service. We also handle daily backups, patching and upgrades for Magento, the databases, webservers and operating system.

“You could call it the nearest hosting equivalent of Lodger’s customised-fit shoe service - a well polished, bespoke-hosting service delivering sturdy reliability with a level of genuine customer focus that gives us an edge in the industry”.

ENDS
For further information, interviews, photos or comment from Scottish entrepreneur Andrew Ogilvie, (actuary-turned-pioneering Internet travel guru-turned-Internet technology innovator), CEO of Xtraordinary Hosting, please contact: Penny Haywood at PHPR Ltd on Tel: +44131 669 5190 (Edinburgh, UK), Mobile +447850 657 714 or email: penny (AT) phpr.co.uk
About Xtraordinary Hosting
• Founded 2001 with a mission to enhance service standards for SME customers in the UK web-hosting industry
• Based in secure data-centres in Edinburgh (ScoLocate) and London (Interxion) with its own on-site teams providing support in both locations
• Operates its own multi-homed network (AS30827), a member of LINX plus direct connections to Tier-1 networks such as NTT, Level(3), Global Crossing, Tiscali International and Abovenet.
• Reliability from retaining hands-on control and minimising dependence on others where possible
• Reliability from rigorous evaluation of suppliers: bandwidth, data-centres, network equipment, servers, software, and infrastructure
• Reliability from a cycle of continuous process improvement
• Peace of mind that comes with customer-focused 24/7 support
• Custom fit by delivering the right solution for the customer’s needs with flexible options to suit SMEs or enterprises
• Taking the long term view by employing bright enthusiastic people (for technical roles our typical minimum requirement is a computer science degree from leading universities) and supporting and training them well
• Led by Andrew Ogilvie, an experienced Scottish entrepreneur. Actuary turned pioneering Internet travel guru turned Internet technology innovator.
• Company has grown on average at 35% year on year since inception
• Partnering with industry leaders such as Microsoft, Cisco, Citrix, Zimbra, Varien and Atlassian
• Members of LINX, RIPE and Nominet
• Hosting powered by HP server hardware
• Future-proofed. An innovative early adopter in niche technology areas to help customers gain and retain competitive advantage. Examples include Xen virtualisation and hosting for Atlassian Confluence Wiki & JIRA, Zimbra email collaboration suite and open source Magento Ecommerce.

About Lodger Footwear
At Lodger, we have an irrational passion for beautiful shoes. That's why we bring you a new Shoe of the Month every 30 days. By releasing a new shoe each month, Lodger designs for every occasion throughout the year. You don't have to wait for the next season to see something fresh. Every shoe is individually made using the latest technology in a factory with more than one hundred years of shoemaking experience. This mix of continuous design, in combination with cutting edge technology and traditional craftsmanship, makes Lodger Footwear a truly unique shoe company.-Source

Shoe quote

2009-02-27T01:07:00.000-08:00

Source: shoespotlight.com

If the Shoe Fits…or Does It?

2009-02-26T01:49:00.000-08:00

Many young children are wearing shoes that are too small, according to a new study presented today at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). As a result, these children may be at high risk for developing serious foot deformities.

The study, which took place in Switzerland, included nearly 250 boys and girls from age 5 to age 10. Researchers measured the children’s feet as well as their indoor and outdoor footwear to determine whether the children were wearing properly sized shoes. They also compared the footwear measurements to the sizes given on the manufacturers’ labels to see if the shoes were marked properly. Finally, they measured the angles of the children’s toes to learn whether any of the subjects were developing a foot deformity called hallux valgus.

Hallux valgus is a condition that occurs when the big toe begins to angle sideways, toward the second toe, causing a bump on the side of the foot just below the big toe. This bump is called a bunion, and can become swollen and painful. Shoes that are too tight are believed to be one of the leading causes of this condition.

The study found that most of the children tested were wearing the wrong size shoes:
• Outdoor shoes:
o 52.8 percent were too small for the child wearing them
o 13.3 percent were too big
• Indoor shoes/slippers:
o 61.6 percent were too small
o 10.2 percent were too big
• When compared to the size marked on the shoe:
o 90.2 percent of outdoor shoes were smaller than the stated size
o 97.6 percent of indoor shoes/slippers were smaller than the stated size

“The most striking finding in our study was that more than 90 percent of both outdoor and indoor shoes/slippers worn by the children were too small,” says Norman Espinosa, M.D, an orthopaedic surgeon at the University of Zürich Balgrist in Switzerland. “Interestingly, the shoe sizes given by the manufacturers almost never matched with the true sizes measured by our group.”

Additionally, Espinosa notes, the prevalence of hallux valgus amongst the children in the study was higher than previously reported in the literature. Hallux valgus angles are considered normal when equal to or less than 15 degrees; the results showed that 3.3 percent of the children’s feet had an angle of more than 15 degrees, while 26.1 percent had an angle of 10 degrees to 15 degrees.

To prevent these problems, Dr. Espinosa says that parents should measure their children’s feet every time they purchase new footwear, and that they should consider the actual size of the shoe rather than just the number marked on the inside of the shoe or the box. Also, parents should check for shoe fit every month or so, especially during times of a growth spurt. Many children will often outgrow their shoes well before the shoes are worn out.

“We truly did not expect such a large percentage of incorrectly declared shoe sizes,” he says. “We now know that we should focus on parental education to help prevent early onset of juvenile foot deformity.”

Disclosure: Dr. Espinosa and his co-authors received no compensation for this study.-Source

Kate's shoes and her Oscar

2009-02-25T01:05:00.000-08:00

Inseparable: An assistant shields Kate Winslet and her prized Oscar
from the sun as she leaves Oprah Winfrey's LA studios

Kate enjoys a well earned glass of champagne,
no doubt part of her post-win plan to get 'very drunk'

At Portland's Dress for Success, it's best foot -- and shoes and handbag and outfit -- forward

2009-02-24T01:21:00.000-08:00

Giggles erupt as women flick through racks of jackets and skirts, looking for a smart outfit to sport at a job interview.

In tough times, with the ranks of job seekers swelling daily, sharp clothes can give an edge.

And at this center in Northeast Portland, the clothes are free.

Dress for Success, which helps women polish their look and attitude for a job interview, celebrates its 10th anniversary this month with a burgeoning of business. In fact, the nonprofit has seen a doubling in demand for its services, drawing 123 percent more clients between October and December last year compared with the year before.

The nonprofit's affiliates in several other cities across the country, including New York and Denver, also are scrambling to meet demand. But the nonprofit in the Portland area, where unemployment hit 8.1 percent in December, has seen one of the biggest increases.

"Primarily, the economy is driving it," said Executive Director Barb Attridge, who co-founded the Portland Dress for Success. "I'm surprised we're able to keep up."

The center, across Northeast 37th Avenue from the Banfield Motel, welcomes a steady stream of clients every day. Each can pick out five pieces of clothing and accessories, including shoes and a handbag, to wear to an interview.

Then, when they land a job, they can return and fill up another shopping bag.

The quality of the jackets, skirts, pants and blouses surprises many women.

"Some of them are brand new," said Jewell Ramirez, a 55-year-old who is struggling to make ends meet. "I've found things here that I wouldn't be able to buy, and they're up to date."

Ramirez, who partly grew up in foster homes in Yakima, is looking for office work -- anything, she says.

Allison Hall, 32, just landed a job at Trinity Mission Health & Rehab of Portland, where she's being trained as a certified nurse assistant.

She credits the Portland nonprofit, which serves only women, with helping her get hired.

"I went on lots of interviews," Hall said. "But I didn't have the clothes, so I did them in jeans and tops. I had been on so many that I was about to give up."

Dress for Success got her outfitted, and three interviews later she had a job.

Before an interview, clients meet with a volunteer, or personal shopper, who helps them put an outfit together.

Then professionals style their hair and do their makeup on-site for free.

That pampering takes many clients by surprise.

"You get burned out by the experience of asking for help," said Lisa Leddy, a 38-year-old who turned to Dress for Success in 2002. "You feel like a beggar. There's so much shame attached to it."

Leddy expected to feel humiliation at Dress for Success. What she experienced was a community of support.

"The people were absolutely amazing, so inspiring and uplifting," she said. "They treated me with so much compassion and respect."

Now with a job as a staff assistant for Portland Commissioner Randy Leonard, she volunteers for the nonprofit.

Besides clothing, Dress for Success provides a range of services to women, from debt counseling and mentorship to help with resumes, job searches and interviews.

It even has mental health counselors and monthly support groups.

Clients credit the meetings with helping them stay focused.

"My goal is to get them to put behind their past, not to deny it, but not let it rule them either," said Pamela Mason, a former personal growth counselor who leads the meetings. "We're also a place where they can celebrate all of the good things."

All of its clients have to be referred by another agency, such as Steps to Success, which works with the Department of Human Services.

Some of the women have been through rehab; others were on welfare. Some left violent relationships. One woman was displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

And increasingly, with the economy in a free fall, Dress for Success is serving women with degrees and years of professional experience who are having trouble landing another job.

That stepped-up demand has sparked a need for volunteers and money.

This year, to mark its 10th anniversary, the nonprofit is trying to persuade 10,000 women to donate $10 each.

It's not a lot to ask for, said Attridge, the executive director. And it will help Dress for Success stay afloat at a time when more women than ever need clothes and confidence.

"We are upset about the state of the economy," Attridge said. "But we're thankful that we are here and able to provide a lifeline to so many women."-Source

Million-dollar shoe designer tones down the glitz

2009-02-23T05:59:00.000-08:00

Is it the shoes? Maybe not on the hardwood, but the Oscars red carpet is a different story. This is also a different kind of year.

The million-dollar shoe designer tones it down, and celebrities collect some swag while raising awareness of the arts.

___

TO BLING OR NOT TO BLING: Because of the not-so-glitzy economy, shoe designer Stuart Weitzman decided to forego his annual tradition of sending a one-of-a-kind pair of heels decked out with $1 million worth of gems down the red carpet on an up-and-comer's feet. Weitzman said such an extravagant display would not be appropriate this year.

"There are things that are right, and there are things that are not right. This year, we have chocolate shoes," Weitzman said pointing to a table of candy replicas at his suite at The London West Hollywood, where stylists were stopping by Thursday and Friday to pick up shoes for celebrity clients.

"You know how the old saying in retail goes: 'Sometimes you have to eat your inventory,'" he said.

Last year, the fancy-footwear designer chose "Juno" screenwriter Diablo Cody to wear specially designed $1 million diamond-encrusted shoes to the ceremony, but Cody caused furor, calling the selection "a cheesy publicity stunt." She opted to wear a pair of simple gold flats under her flowing Dior leopard print dress instead.

Weitzman hopes his "big fan" Angelina Jolie, the best actress Oscar nominee who previously donned nude Weitzman heels to the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Golden Globes, will again wear a pair of his shoes Sunday.

SWAG TIME: Oscar time is swag time in Hollywood, and gift suites in Beverly Hills were bustling Friday.

The Haven suite, held at a private hillside home with views of downtown L.A., offered couture gowns, anti-cellulite treatments, fancy handbags, eyelash extensions and vacuum cleaners — all while raising awareness for the arts.

Stars who visited the suite were invited to record public service announcements for the Creative Coalition in support of federal funding for the arts.

"The point is to use the spotlight of entertainment and the spotlight of celebrity to focus on the arts and funding for the arts," said Robin Bronk, executive director of the Creative Coalition, a 20-year-old nonprofit group attached to the entertainment industry.

Paula Abdul picked up a Charlie Lapson evening bag, fellow "American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi grabbed Foster Grant sunglasses, and "90210" star AnnaLynne McCord reveled in the pampering treatments.

"This week has been absolutely crazy," she said. "It's nice to be here and relax a little and be a girl for five minutes."

Source

New Jimmy Choos left at charity shop

2009-02-22T01:08:00.000-08:00

A mystery donor left four pairs of new women's designer shoes worth a total of £2,000 in a Suffolk charity shop.

Staff at an Oxfam shop in Woodbridge said they were amazed when they found the Jimmy Choo creations in a black bin liner earlier this week.

Deputy manager Jenny Auber said the plastic bag contained size 36 boots, wedges and slingbacks which were unworn and still had price tags attached.

"We have no idea who left them but we'd love to know the story behind them," she said.

"Why would someone give away new Jimmy Choo shoes? We just don't know."

She added: "We're offering them at half price - £1,000 in total. We haven't sold any yet but we're expecting a lot of interest."

Source

Now Obama Has Really Big Shoes to Fill

2009-02-22T01:02:00.000-08:00

Basketball superstar Shaquille O'Neal wanted to give basketball-obsessed President Barack Obama a gift. So he sent him one of his sneakers -- size 23, with an autograph!

The president received the orange-and-white shoe Tuesday, just after landing at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.

There, Jake Gordon, son of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, presented him with the shoe on behalf of O'Neal, who plays for the Phoenix Suns.

The amused president put the sneaker next to his own, much smaller shoe. Obama is believed to wear a size 11 or 12.

Obama watched Sunday's NBA All-Star game on television. O'Neal shared Most Valuable Player honors with Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant.

The president is having a basketball court built in the White House.-Source

Worlds most stylish man Justin Timberlake talks shoes

2009-02-21T05:48:00.000-08:00

Justin Timberlake, who was recently declared the worlds most stylish man by GQ magazine, has spoken about his sense of fashion and how it has developed.

He also explains why he wore trainers with his trademark hat/suit/skinny tie combination.

"I just put sneakers on because I couldnt dance in the shoes I had. I couldnt leap with just insoles and dress shoes. I wouldve hurt myself," he stated.

The singer also says that his stepfather, who works as a suited and booted banker, provided inspiration for his successful on-trend fashion sense.

Other stylish chaps to gain recognition from GQ include Mark Ronson and Jason Schwartzman.

Another nominee, Kanye West, recently revealed that he has collaborated with French label Louis Vuitton to design a line of footwear, which will be available in the summer.-Source

The Story Of Steve Madden Shoes - The Usa’s Most Successful Footwear Designer

2009-02-20T05:41:00.000-08:00

Steve Madden is America’s most promising shoe designer. For the past two decades, Steve Madden Shoes has been responsible for the sales and design of the company’s stylish shoes. Steve Madden’s vision was to sell young fashion to women in an individual way. He allowed shoes to express a woman’s individuality through style. Because of this, millions of shoe buyers worldwide have loved the results leading Steve Madden shoes to the top of the fashion industry.

Steve Madden started in 1990 with just $1,100 as seed money. Steve Madden started to craft shoe designs in his Queens factory. With only his experience under his belt, Steve Madden was able to produce a unique and creative design of shoes, leading to his own successful enterprise. After a year, Steve Madden returned to a little bit of history with his next line of shoes. Inspired by his favorite rock and roll stars of the 70’s, the chunky, solid heel became a defining characteristic of Steve Madden shoes. The platform shoe was redefined and is still worn by many woman in the 2000s.

Steve Madden shoes represent a lifestyle. The shoes have their own personality for each wearer. While retaining a bohemian independence, the shoes embrace haute couture as well. Today, Steve Madden has expanded to apparel and accessories such as dresses, handbags, belts, sun wear, cold weather, coats and hosiery. Steve Madden is always aware of the hottest trends and making some of his own. Some of the new styles for Spring 2009 include the Seeri, Sanfrann, the Quantumm, and Stinng for women. For men, the Dellray and Seldon styles help you welcome warmer weather.

You can find clearance Steve Madden shoes at quality online stores or locally at independent retailers. Steve Madden Shoes stretch in variety from Bonanza Boots, Buckled Heels, Kryten, wedges, casual tennis shoes, all the way to thongs. Each shoe has its own intent and purpose. Most of the shoes can be worn as casual or dress without having to change shoes when you go to a new occasion. Madden’s footwear vision is always evolving. Steve once stated, “What inspires me is what I see people wearing on the streets of the world from New York to London and beyond. I get my ideas and inspiration from pounding the pavement all over the world. Today, fashion is dictated by individual style. To me, the fashion of the future is anything that a young guy or girl feels good wearing as long as it’s put together in the right way.”-Source

Need a Break? Put Yourself in Co-Worker's Shoes

2009-02-19T05:55:00.000-08:00

By Lily Garcia

Special to washingtonpost.com

My cubicle is next to a woman who really, really needs to retire but can't because of health coverage issues and the state of the economy. She becomes more idiosyncratic every day. She repeats out loud what she's typing as she types, she practices her phone calls out loud before she dials the phone, she moans, grunts, and generally makes noises of one kind or another all day long. She is a lovely, sweet woman, but is desperately unhappy as our job becomes more and more technically and computer oriented. She cannot complete a single task without recruiting help from several people around her. We love her and are glad to help, but she is driving me crazy -- especially the nonstop mumbling and sighing and groaning. I hesitate to say anything to our supervisor because the other issues we're all facing seem so much more important. How can I preserve my sanity?

Compassion. Let us all hope that we don't find ourselves one day in the position of having to struggle at a bewildering job that we cannot afford to lose because of the health coverage it provides. How frightening for your co-worker to perceive, as she most assuredly does, that she is losing her grasp on the basic skills that everyone around her has so easily mastered.

It is lovely of you and your colleagues to rally around this woman to help her through technical snares. If you were to say anything about it to your supervisor, I would suggest pointing out some areas in which more formal training might help her. I don't see a point in discussing the idiosyncrasies of her work style other than to illustrate her need for additional support to build her self-confidence. For example, she might recite what she is typing out load because she is trying to avoid making mistakes. She likewise might practice her phone conversations before dialing because she does not trust herself to form articulate thoughts under pressure.

If your supervisor is enlightened, he or she might recognize an opportunity to engage your older colleague in a different way. If the use of technology is standing in the way of her job satisfaction and contributions, your supervisor could arrange for her to perform essential business functions that do not require her to be as computer savvy.

It is also possible that your colleague's professional struggles are related to the health issues that make insurance coverage so important for her. If so, then your employer might be legally required to work with her to find an accommodation of her condition.

Which brings me back to compassion. The irritating behaviors that you find yourself having to put up with are probably just a small sign of the issues that your colleague must content with every day. Invest in a set of ear plugs or listen to music on your headphones. Find a way to make your work environment more calm and pleasant. But also speak up on your colleague's behalf so that she gets the help she needs to succeed in your organization until the day that she can finally afford to retire.

Ministers do the catwalk to promote Indonesian shoes

2009-02-18T05:46:00.000-08:00

The Footwear and Leather Products 2009 exhibition Sunday reached its high point on this final day with four state ministers and their spouses gracefully parading down the catwalk wearing domestically produced luxury shoes.

The ministers were Industry Minister Fahmi Idris, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, Transmigration and Manpower Minister Erman Soeparno and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Aburizal Bakrie.

The ministers were also accompanied by Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) chair Mohammad S. Hidayat and Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) chair Sofyan Wanandi.

"I admire Fahmi for successfully wooing other ministers along with their spouses, the Apindo chair and the Kadin chair to take part in a fashion show without being paid. Fahmi should know a minister's salary is small, so a fee is a must," Aburizal joked as quoted by detikfinance.com.

The government has been active in promoting trade in domestic brands, in various ways, including requiring all officials wear shoes made and designed by talents withint the country.

During a recent cabinet meeting, Vice President Jusuf Kalla inspected the footwear of attending ministers to check whether they were wearing local shoe brands or foreign ones.-Source

Mickey Rourke's shoe drama

2009-02-17T05:45:00.000-08:00

Mickey Rourke caused a stir at London Heathrow when he checked in a five-and-a-half stone suitcase packed with shoes.

The 56-year-old actor ? who was flying first class from London to New York - was forced to repack his bags as the crammed case of footwear was 4kg over the maximum weight limit.

An airline source told Britain's Sunday Mirror newspaper: "It was really weird and extraordinary to watch. Five-and-a-half stone ? 36kg ? of shoes is one heck of a lot of shoes, especially for a man.

"It's the sort of thing you would expect from Victoria Beckham, but not of a tough guy like Mickey Rourke."

Mickey ? who was returning to the US after an eight-day stay in London ? has evidently adapted to the UK climate.

The source said: "It was freezing cold but he had no socks on and a pair of blue slip-ons with very low heels. And it turned out that he had about 40 pairs of shoes very similar to the ones he was wearing in the case."

During his stay in the UK, the Hollywood star picked up the Best Actor award at last week's BAFTAs for his comeback role in 'The Wrestler'.-Source

IRS Tries Walking in Our Shoes

2009-02-16T05:14:00.000-08:00

With a budget deficit projected to top $1 trillion this year, IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman may start feeling some pressure.

After all, it's the IRS's job to collect the money that finances most government operations and public services. Quite naturally, one would think there will be increased demand to collect every penny that taxpayers owe.

But Shulman, who is just one year into a five-year term, says he's committed to creating a balance between taxpayer service and strong tax enforcement.

"We need to be a world-class service organization," Shulman said during an hour-long interview. "We need to walk a mile in the taxpayer's shoes. My theory is people don't expect flawless service. But they do want to be told what to expect and then get it."

The IRS is probably the most loathed federal agency, the one people dread coming into contact with. Of course, that may have something to do with the fact that the IRS collects money many people would rather keep for themselves.

I remember congressional hearings in the late 1990s when taxpayers testified about the rough, "Sopranos"-like treatment they were getting from IRS agents.

Talking behind big screens, longtime IRS employees accused management of fostering a culture in which workers were preoccupied with achieving high collection statistics, even if their collection tactics were illegal.

The late William Roth, the Delaware Republican who was chairman of the Senate Finance Committee at the time, held a series of hearings on IRS tax collection efforts.

"There is no other agency in this country that directly touches the lives of more Americans," Roth said. "The threat of an audit . . . looms like the sword of Damocles over the heads of taxpayers."

Although subsequent investigations didn't turn up widespread abuses, the hearings were instrumental in passing legislation that restructured the IRS and expanded taxpayer rights.

"We want to systematically find where people get lost in the system," Shulman said. "We want to understand the taxpayer experience."

Right now, for many taxpayers, what they are experiencing is being broke. Recognizing the problem, Shulman said he gave front-line IRS employees the authority to be easier on people having trouble paying their taxes because of the economy.

"We are going to suspend action and take people out of the collection queue," he said.s
s

The leniency efforts will be aimed at taxpayers who are unemployed or are solely relying on Social Security or public assistance.

But Shulman quickly added that they won't get a "free ride," just a break. And such grace is aimed at people who have paid up in the past.

"We want to help people who have always been upstanding," he said.

There's not just an altruistic goal here. This is still the IRS. Shulman said his goal is to keep "compliant taxpayers in the system."

Shulman came to the IRS from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the private-sector regulator of all securities firms doing business in the United States. He was the agency's vice chairman responsible for strategy, services and operations.

Despite the IRS's focus on service, Shulman said enforcement actions won't suffer because, of course, there's the deficit to contend with.

Shulman said he's going to ratchet up enforcement among three groups of taxpayers: high net-worth individuals, U.S. businesses with international operations, and large corporations.

He said the way to increase compliance among these groups is to increase third-party reporting.

For example, beginning in 2011, financial firms will be required to tell the IRS what people paid for stock in order to capture what is known as the cost basis. Other investments will also fall under the new reporting rule. This means the IRS will have a paper trail to help it find people avoiding paying their capital gains taxes in full.

Also beginning in 2011, financial institutions will be required to tell the IRS the annual gross credit and debit card payments made to businesses.

Based on the Joint Committee on Taxation's estimates, the provision on cost basis reporting alone could bring in $6.7 billion over 10 years, and the credit and debit card reporting provision could bring in $9.5 billion more over the same time period.

"We are going to be matching up revenue with what's being reported to the IRS," Shulman said. "Honest taxpayers have nothing to fear."

If Shulman can achieve that balance of enforcing taxes and helping taxpayers, it will certainly go a long way in chipping away at our gargantuan federal deficit and maybe even eliminating the shivers you get at the mere mention of those three little letters -- IRS.

Want your new house to have some shoe history? Then look no further…

2009-02-15T05:34:00.000-08:00

“There was an old woman who lived in a shoe,

she had so many children, she didn’t know what to do.”

Now we all know this old nursery rhyme, and we know you love living in your fave pair of heels, well now you could own your very own slice of shoe history, without having to ‘live in a shoe…’

Here at Shudoo we live for shoes, couldn’t you tell? If you’re as obsessed with boots, clogs, kitten heels and stilettos as we are, we’ve got a little idea for you – Northampton…

The East Midlands town, where shoe themed Britflick Kinky Boots was based no less, offers plenty of opportunities to fully immerse yourself in shoes.

Not only can you spend weekends trawling through a long history of footwear in the local museum (recent roadworks have turned up evidence of the shoe industry dating back hundreds of years fact fans) but, shoe obsessives, you can even live in a former shoe factory!

For starters, The Albany, on the site of the former Allinsons factory, is just about ready to go on sale with several flats on offer including rather luxurious penthouses.

But if you’re feeling particularly flush – assuming all your cash hasn’t been spent on Shudoo’s fabulous ranges – why not splash out on a major piece of local footwear history?

Based on the Harborough Road the Edwardian Barratts shoe factory is reportedly up for sale for development.

The huge ornate building is a Northampton landmark and would be the ideal place to store even the most impressive collection of shoes, leaving plenty of space for stylish soirees and blow out bashes. Start saving ladies…

Source

How to wear court shoes

2009-02-15T05:29:00.000-08:00

By Lisa Armstrong
timesonline.co.uk

The time is right for sensible shoes

I'm trying to get my head around the court shoe because it is utterly, irrefutably the Right Shoe For Now. Dependable, classic, elegant, grown-up, flattering; you never get a dodgy performance. Truly, this is the Meryl Streep of footwear.

If you’re unconvinced, examine the catwalk pictures from Luella, Lanvin (above), Roberto Cavalli, Alexander McQueen, L’Wren Scott, Miu Miu or Roland Mouret. The court shoe is fabulously happening. This is quite a turn-up for a shoe that started life at, yes, court, 300 years ago. The French court favoured elegant spindly heels; the English preferred something more stolid. Why does this not surprise?

But back to now. The problem for me – and this gets quite deep and philosophical so hold on to your hankies – is that I’m not really a Meryl Streep type. Then again, I’m not her polar opposite, which would, let’s for the sake of argument say, be Jessica Simpson. This makes me the lost soul of footwear. If you’re gamine or punky, ultra-young or venerably ancient, if you’re Chrissie Hynde and can rely on a degree of incongruity, Dita Von Teese and can work the classy stripper angle, even if you’re Posh Spice and can’t rely on anything much other than pulling off the old but admittedly mesmerising “How do I manage to stand up and even occasionally walk in these?” trick, then you’ll look fine in courts. But if you’re middle of the road, it’s a challenge, because courts are so sensible you could end up looking like Mrs Thatcher, or worse, any other female politician whose name currently escapes you.

This is why I loved my bondage footwear, my five-inch footwear and my darn right silly footwear. I could wear my most trusty clothes, safe in the knowledge that my Fashion Shoes would turn them into a veritable statement.

So now what?

Well, someone – Alber Elbaz at Lanvin? Miuccia Prada? Me in the Rupert Sanderson sale last week? – came up with the brilliant solution of buying court shoes in any colour but black. Simple, but amazingly effective. Look at the excitement Michelle Obama generated with her green Jimmy Choo courts.

You don’t have to go mad and buy red or yellow; petrol blue or damson should do the trick. But platforms equal comfort. So I asked Chyna Whyne, the excitingly named Alexander practitioner, for tips on walking in heels (check out her website www.walkinginstilettos.com – it’s more serious than it sounds). Here goes: “Avoid leading with the ball of your foot instead of the heel. This helps you walk upright without leaning forwards. If you walk with the feeling that your legs are extending from your core, this will help you achieve a more upright position. Start with a medium heel – about three inches – or you’ll end up with lower back pain, and walk with your bum sticking out and your knees bent. Just practising around the house will make a difference.”

See, I’ve thought of everything, for once. That’s how sensible court shoes make you.

Hearty Shoes on Hearts Day

2009-02-14T01:11:00.000-08:00

Sources:
thefashionpolice.net
shoewawa.net

Lamborghini shoes

2009-02-14T01:10:00.000-08:00

We have seen a Opel Agila High-Heel Shoes, Cool? Today you will see a Lamborghini Shoes by Tim Cooper. Based on the design of the defunct Gallardo Superleggera, these shoes feature carbon-fiber heels holding up the back. Click 2 enlarge!

Source

Forget the fruit - this tree bears shoes

2009-02-13T05:12:00.000-08:00

There's a shoe-bearing tree on the outskirts of town, alongside U.S. 72, that through the years has gained the attention of all who pass it.

Maybe it's the mustard yellow high heels hanging midway up on the tree's thick branch that catches the eye - but this tree isn't just for fashionistas.

"I heard one child say the tree was there to provide shoes for poor people, and perhaps it has served that purpose," said Cherokee resident Martha Couch, the town's authority on shoe trees since photographing one with hundreds of shoes hanging on it in Utah three years ago.

Couch laughs at rumors that the tree, with its dozens of shoes draped over its branches, is a marker for gang turf.

"That's ridiculous to me because there are plenty of high heels and even baby shoes on that tree," she said. "I prefer to think of it as simply a conversation piece."

Whatever one calls it, the tree, and the shoes that adorn its branches, has taken on a personality unlike any other tree in Cherokee. And, there's never a shortage of shoe tree stories.

Couch hears them all.

She said every time shoes disappear from the tree, more appear to replace them. Currently, the shoe selection ranges from high heels of various colors, including a recently placed pair of turquoise green ones, to Converse tennis shoes to some well-worn work boots.

Just as the season foliage changes, so does the shoe tree. At times, the branches are full. Other times, the tree is sparsely loaded.

Couch recalls once when a pair of Harley Davidson boots were put on the tree. They lasted about three days then disappeared. How long the yellow pumps will stay around, no one knows, but several residents in town have their eyes on them.

"Oh yeah, there's some bright yellow heels that I really like hanging on that tree," said Leah Malone, a junior at Cherokee High School. "At one point last year, the tree sort of became bare, but then the shoes all came right back, plus some. All it really lacks now is some pink ones. I pass by it two or three times a day and it always makes me smile. I love it."

Senior Keri Winchester said she's simply too conservative with her money to contribute to the bounty of the tree but, "that's not to say I don't get a big kick out of it."

Cherokee Mayor Chuck Lansdell said the tree gets its share of comments from locals and those passing through.

"It's just one of those oddities that keeps people talking," Lansdell said. "When some unique pair of shoes gets put up there, we usually all hear about it. It's just a common occurrence around here."

Couch said that with the tree comes an unspoken rule: Need a pair, take a pair. But if you can spare a pair, then do it.

"Once I saw some people with a Georgia car tag stopped at the tree throwing some shoes up, so I guess it has caught on," she said. "It's nothing to see various state car tags stopped there, checking out the tree. It's just a fun thing. That's all it's intended to be."

Source

Christian Slater reveals shoe love

2009-02-12T03:38:00.000-08:00

Christian Slater said he is obsessed with shoes.

The True Romance star is currently dating Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon, 41, and said it has forced him to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of footwear, according to The Sun.

Christian, 39, said he spent the entire evening at the Baftas with his eyes glued to the shoes making their way down the red carpet.

He said: "There were some great shoes out there. I would not have noticed that sort of thing before. But I find myself staring at footwear now."

Christian and Tamara met on a blind date and have been inseparable for the last two years.

Source

Remaking 'Made in China'

2009-02-11T04:37:00.000-08:00

Children's shoes on display at China Shoetec, a trade fair held in
the manufacturing city of Dongguan, China.

DONGGUAN, China: This city in southern China is known for factories, not flair. But it is flair that might save this manufacturing hub. At least, that is what David Hsieh is hoping.

At a time when factories are closing and laborers are leaving town, Hsieh, a shoe designer from London, is moving in. He recently opened a boutique design studio in Dongguan. His company, DHD London, works with manufacturers to develop and brand high-end footwear. He also designs his own collection of pink calfskin loafers, patent-leather moccasins and basic black pumps inspired by anything from art and architecture to Chinese history.

The key to success, he says, is creativity. "Cheap price is no longer a weapon."

Hsieh is part of an urgent push to free the southern Chinese shoe industry - and southern China as a whole - from its reliance on low-value exports. Facing rising costs and slumping demand, a growing number of shoemakers are moving upmarket.

By investing in design and developing their own brands, they hope to widen their profit margins and expand into new markets. But redefining "made in China" may prove difficult.

Once a symbol of Chinese manufacturing might, the area's industry is in crisis. Since the opening of the Chinese economy in the late 1970s, the Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong Province, home to Dongguan, has lured shoe manufacturers - mostly from Taiwan and Hong Kong - with the promise of cheap land, lax regulations and a seemingly endless supply of low-cost workers.

Today, China is the world's leading producer, exporting 10 billion pairs of shoes a year, about a quarter of which are made in Dongguan.

But the days of cheap land and labor are waning. And so, it seems, are the days of ultracheap, Chinese-made shoes.

Tommy Fong, president of the Hong Kong Footwear Association, an industry group that represents 400 manufacturers in the region, said this has been the worst time in 25 years.

"It took 30 years for us to build this industry," he said. "But we can kill this industry in six months."

Shoemakers say the problem is simple: costs are up and demand is down - significantly. With thousands of factories sprawled across the delta, the supply of cheap land has vanished. A new Chinese labor law, meanwhile, increased labor costs by introducing a minimum wage, limiting overtime and mandating one month's severance pay for every year worked.

To keep costs down, manufacturers are moving north and west to poorer Chinese provinces, or south to Vietnam, Bangladesh or Indonesia.

The strength of the yuan against major currencies has made Chinese exports less competitive globally. Meanwhile, the financial crisis has drastically curtailed demand for shoes. Factory owners said that orders in the last quarter were down 10 percent to 30 percent from the previous year, and forecasts for 2009 looked even worse.

The combined effect is devastating. Fong estimates that 1,000 shoe factories in southern China have closed since January 2008. Thousands of migrant laborers have packed their bags and left Guangdong. The dusty streets of the factory areas of Dongguan are largely empty.

"I knew it was going to be very tough coming up, but I didn't expect it to drop so suddenly and so quickly," said William Wong, managing director of Goddess, a slipper company.

Wong, who employs about 500 people at his factory in Guangdong, said he expected a 30 percent to 50 percent drop in sales for 2009. This, he said, would almost certainly mean job cuts.

To survive the squeeze, he plans to move away from price competition. By focusing on design and branding, Wong said he hoped to widen his profit margins and expand the company's presence in China.

Though he exports 90 percent of its stock, Wong said he wanted to sell as much as 50 percent to mainland Chinese customers in coming years. His company started a shoe retail Web site, findshu.com, focused on selling high-end shoes to brand-conscious mainlanders.

Fong, of the footwear association, has a similar plan for his shoe company, Peninsula. He has hired his own design team and says he has confidence in the spending power of fashion-savvy Chinese consumers.

He exports 95 percent of his shoes, but wants to eventually sell 25 percent to 30 percent in mainland China. "I can't put all the eggs in one place," he said.

But there is no guarantee that mainland Chinese will buy shoes at anywhere near the rate of Americans - or that they will buy more shoes at all.

According to Stanley Chu, organizer of one of the largest Guangdong shoe exhibitions, Americans buy an average of seven pairs of shoes a year. People in mainland China, meanwhile, buy fewer than two pairs a year. And this was before the global economic crisis started slowing growth in China.

Though China has grown richer during the past 30 years, consumer spending, which makes up just 35 percent of gross domestic product, has been dropping as a percentage of the economy since the 1980s. With the economy slowing and the social safety net in tatters, the Chinese may not be in the market for shoes.

Still, in Dongguan, many prefer to take a long view. Chu called this a "transition period" for southern China. Companies that rely on cheap land and labor will close, he said, but stronger, more environmentally responsible companies will emerge.

"Sustainable growth is not possible on the current path," Chu said. "We have to slow down."

Source: International Herald Tribune

Prom Shoes glides clear in Essex Handicap

2009-02-10T05:26:00.000-08:00

Prom Shoes found room to run on the outside entering the stretch and powered to victory in the $100,000 Essex Handicap on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

The five-year-old Include horse rallied from sixth in the eight-horse field to win the 1 1/16-mile dirt race by 1 1/4 lengths. Grade 2-placed Prom Shoes covered the distance in 1:44.21 on a track rated as fast to score his second career stakes win.

Prom Shoes was reserved in sixth at the start by jockey Christopher Emigh as Spotsgone was pushed to the front and led the field through fractions of :24.10, :48.16, and 1:13.01 through six furlongs.

As the field entered the stretch, Emigh maneuvered Prom Shoes four wide and he accelerated willingly past five rivals to win at 11.90-to-1 odds.

Golden Yank, the 9-to-5 favorite, closed gamely from seventh but could not catch Prom Shoes. Late-closing Que Paso finished another three lengths behind Golden Yank for third. Spotsgone faded to finish fifth.

Owned and co-bred by Patricia Blass, Prom Shoes improved to six wins in 26 career starts and boosted his earnings to $359,043 for trainer William Fires.

Prom Shoes opened his five-year-old campaign with a seventh-place finish in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap (G3) on January 10 at Fair Grounds.

A half brother to stakes winners Wildcat Shoes and Isabell's Shoes, Prom Shoes won the Fifth Season Stakes last April at Oaklawn for his first career stakes win. He finished second in the 2007 Peter Pan Stakes (G2).

Bred in Kentucky by Blass and David Harris, Prom Shoes is one of seven winners from eight starters out of multiple stakes winner Pink Shoes, by Phone Trick.-by Tim Nichols Source

Gladiator Style Footwear

2009-02-09T05:02:00.000-08:00

Gladiator style footwear has given a new twist to women’s shoes, and this twist is both compelling and imperial. The rage for gladiator style footwear is picking up, and you’ve got more and more number of women examining this style, at the shoe stores.

There are women’s boots, sandals and stiletto fashioned around the gladiator lines and you too can wear them for a striking statement, provided you learn how to pick the right pair. If you’re tall and slender, then you are at perfect ease to pick up any style of gladiator shoes. However, women with petite frames and stocky legs should go a little prudent in making their choices.

Make your choice

Gladiator style shoes make for a unique style statement as long as you know how exactly to pair them with your outfit and your body structure. The assortment is extensive and you’ve got more than ten different styles, such as strapped, high heels, warrior style Knee-highs, ankle boots, flats and mid lengths.

While the chunky straps are more to the masculine side, to boost your femininity try the ultra-thin straps or maybe those with extra detailing and decoration. The general rule to wear them is that the sandals go with jeans and flared skirts, while the boots are best paired with pencil skirts and dresses.

Style in line with your height

Women with short and stocky legs, who may be a little hesitant to experiment with the gladiator style boots and sandals, should try the Knee-high boots, as they have a somewhat elongating effect on your legs, visually. You must avoid the mid length boots all together. However in case of sandals you should go in for mid length straps because they kind of dissect as your leg at the calves, where your lower legs are the thickest. The ankle style gladiator boots and sandals are the safest for all body types and can be paired with almost any outfit.

Making the right choice

Lastly, when you go shopping for the gladiator style footwear you need to be extra particular about the color that you choose. If you’re going in for knee-length, then you’ll be better off with soft and neutral tones, on the other hand for shorter lengths pick up some shiny patent leather in vibrant colors. To create a somewhat slimming effect you can also experiment with metallic shades.-Source

The weather has ruined our shoe style

2009-02-08T04:30:00.000-08:00

Townie

A few inches of snow and we've lost our grip on what's practical City women are notoriously good at organising their footwear. It was Wall Street alpha-types who invented the sneakers-for-the- journey idea, back in the 1980s. This meant that walking to work did not preclude impractical alpha-heels that were needed for essential Eighties office work such as kicking ass around boardrooms. Also, shoulderpads looked weird with flats. The trend crossed the Atlantic and, though the trainers are less shouty than they were 20 years ago, remains with us. City chick handbags have evolved to accommodate commuting shoes.

But what's this? A few inches of snow and we've lost our grip on what's practical. The footwear choices during the freeze have been senseless. Many seemed happy to risk full-blown lady-flu this week, walking to work in soggy Uggs - which we all know, fake or not, are about as waterproof as a sea sponge. Sodden ballet pumps were popular too. Surely skating boots would make more sense now, if dance-based outdoor shoes were the requirement. I bumped into a woman negotiating Brixton High Street in 4in platform heels on Wednesday. She had an elevating argument: “I always wear heels in the snow. They keep me warm because my feet are further away from the frost.”

Well-heeled urban girls have a shoe wardrobe that is book-ended by Havaiana flip-flops and rarely worn wellies. Mud-free Hunters marched in such numbers they might have been en route to Glastonbury. Wellies came out in pink, aubergine and - the most sought after - glossy black, floral- lined ones from a spa company called Cowshed. But wellies are useless in snow and ice. There's precious little traction or insulation. Men were just as silly in the snow - city boys slid about in porous leather-soled brogues: shoe suicide.

Finally, by Friday, thermal opaque tights with snow boots seemed to be the chic and sensible option for metropolitan women - five whole days too late for most of their immune systems.

Lesley Thomas

Bumpkin

Some dream of the Cresta run or the slopes above Chamonix, but when it snows my thoughts turn to the fifth hole on Crowborough Beacon golf course.

This rough stretch of gorse and heather-flecked East Sussex heathland on the edge of the Ashdown Forest has hosted the golf club for more than 100 years, but it remains common land, open for all to walk across and enjoy the spectacular views of the South Downs.

In normal weather this sharing of territory often leads to grumpy exchanges between golfers and the assorted dog-walkers and ramblers asserting their commoners' rights, but when the snow falls everyone cedes the territory to sledgers and it is the fifth hole that draws them.

It is fairly intimidating to the golfer; the carry is over a deep valley with the tees on a steep slope that drops to a little stream crossed by a “Poohsticks” bridge before the fairway rises more gently up the other side, broad, inviting and, when covered in a couple of inches of snow, 300 yards of ideal sledging run.

What makes it so perfect is the gradual start that gives way to a steeper central section, allowing speed to really build before a little upturn at the bottom acts as a brake and stops you from diving headlong into the stream below. Then the trudge back up to start again is not too long. The toboggan is the favoured method of descent, but it has been attempted on everything from skis (a bit too flashy) to tin trays and dustbin lids. I once tried it, thrillingly, two-up with a dark-haired beauty who is now a respectable GP in Dorset. Our friendship survived the ride, which is more than can be said of the sledge.

This spot is nearly 800ft above sea level, ideally placed to catch all the snow coming from the East. I first remember sledging there in the big freeze of 1963 when the snowdrifts where so deep that you could walk higher than the tops of the hedges.

In the days before global warming, snow seemed an annual pleasure. These days it has the rarity of “an extreme weather event”. So when it started to stick this week and my long trudge was into work, my heart was with the young tobogganists heading up the hill to the golf course.

They will get to enjoy it far less often than we did. And you never know, if there's still snow about today...

Paul Dunn
Times Online

Shoe-Away

2009-02-08T04:22:00.000-08:00

Source: ibn.live

In Japan, and a number or other Oriental cultures, opening your shoe outside the entrance of people's homes is a part of everyday practice. Similar are the customs in many Islamic cultures. Barring some urban pockets of western tolerance, changing from shoes you wear outside the house to slippers and chappals are the norm across India as well. Besides homes, shoes are also strictly barred in religious places like temples and mosques.

I don't know the exact philosophies behind such footwear etiquette, but they seem to stem from the fact that shoes are things that tread in the world's dirt, which you would not like to bring into places that you hold sacred, such as your home or your place of worship.

Now, such things probably sound too exotic to the Western world, where shoes are just another part of your clothing. They go all over the city, county and country and then on to the carpet, couch and cot. But if some recent events become a trend, then the Western World may soon have to revisit their tolerance for the universal access of footwear, especially when seen through the prism of national security and anti-terrorism.

The footwear-rage unleashed by Muntadar al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist who flung his pair at President Bush, seems to have taken the world of protest by storm. A few days back, the Chinese premier was the target of one such attack while he lectured an audience at Cambridge University.

A quick search on Google's news website with the terms 'shoe' and 'throw' indicates that footwear has recently been an active participant in at least one lecture by the Israeli ambassador in Stockholm, a council meeting in Ithaca, New York, and was just about prevented from making its way towards Turkey's education minister.

While the likes of stage actors, who are veteran targets of footwear chuckers, see nothing new in this, it has become a matter of utmost importance for national security agencies across the world.

Remember the reaction to Richard Reid, the Shoe Bomber's, failed attempts to set off a bomb inserted in the heel of his shoe? Now airport security across most major airports requires you to take off your shoes and get them X-rayed before boarding.

I can imagine the new restrictions requiring anyone getting within shoe throwing range of heads of states and other political personalities to rid themselves of footwear.

Invitations to Government of India ceremonies will read - "No mobiles, cameras, electronic devices and Shoes allowed at the venue." In the next National Congress of the Communist Party, China will showcase the latest technology of automatic shoe removal and retrieval. It's okay here - just an extension of an existing culture.

But what about the West? Imagine a press conference in front of a heavily snowed out 10 Downing Street. Armies of reporters and camerapersons - all standing in 6 inches of snow - in their socks. The government has just announced NATO air raids on Iran's nuclear facilities. The journalist from that Qatari television station, eyes fixed on the Prime Minister, stoops down to pick his shoes up... but, but, there's only socks. An overwhelming hopelessness engulfs him just as he faints from the frost bite on his feet.

Or President Obama's second inauguration on the National Mall in the January of 2013. A gathering of 2 million people - No Shoes. The specialist police dogs employed to sniff out any vestige of leather or sole-rubber are all convulsing from the stench of unwashed socks.

And yet, think of the innovations this will spur. Shoes that sound an alarm when you try to take them off, or trousers with built-in non-detachable shoes. Like Customs-Seized Goods shops, we'll soon have the Protester-Thrown Shoe stores.

Some things will not change though. Like the ISI setting up shoe-hurling camps in the border regions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The London Police shooting anyone bending to scratch their feet in London's metro stations. GDP growth rates in China crossing 10% again, with an exponential rise in shoe production.

Sounds unreal? So did the 'bear market' in 2007.

If the shoes don’t fit, get them handmade

2009-02-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

Dozens of shoes, all different colors and designs, were showcased neatly on glass racks in a 3- by 3-meter shop window in Karet Kuningan, South Jakarta.

The store’s collection ranged from high-heeled party shoes, peep toes and ballet slippers to much-hyped styles, such as ankle boots and gladiator sandals.

The store is not located in a posh shopping center. It is on the side of a narrow busy street near the Perbanas School of Economics.

The store Laila Collection is small, but offers something big. It is more than a common shoe store; you can order shoes there.

Laila, the owner, said she had been running the homemade shoe business for more than a decade.

“I’m continuing my father’s business. He was a shoemaker and started the business more than twenty years ago, when the neighborhood was not as crowded as it is today,” Laila told The Jakarta Post recently.

She said most of her customers were women ranging in age and professions, from students to full-time workers.

“Some customers with big or tiny feet find it difficult to find perfect shoes to fit them. Not every shoe store in the city’s shopping centers has their size,” she said. “Some of them want unique shoes that are not available in any store. The want ones to make them feel special and different.”

Once you come to her store, Laila said, she will measure your feet by drawing them onto a sheet of carton.

“The simplest thing is to bring your favorite shoes so we can make ‘copies’,” said the mother of two.

“You can also choose what kind of heels, materials and colors you want, as well as the designs for your shoes. The shoes will be finished in a week,” she said.

Prices for the shoes start from Rp 75,000 (US$6) depending on the materials.

A pair of silver high heels, for instance, sells for Rp 100,000, while gladiator sandals cost Rp 85,000. A set of party shoes and clutch will set you back Rp 250,000.

Laila is just one among many shoe store owners in the area, which is famous for its shoemakers. Many Jakartans call it sepatu Perbanas (Perbanas shoes).

Another shoemaker, Siti, 32, also relies on her shoe store. She said she and her husband started trading in the late 1990’s, continuing her husband’s family business.

She usually buys the materials and accessories at Mangga Dua market in West Jakarta.

“Mangga Dua vendors offer various kinds of fabrics and accessories, like beads, sequins, stones, and at cheap prices,” Siti said.

As shoemakers, Laila and Siti said they always followed the latest shoe trends.

“Today, ankle boots made from patent leather and gladiator shoes are still favorites,” Siti said.

Gladiator shoes became popular when international designers introduced Grecian-style collections. Hollywood movies, like 300, are believed to have inspired to the shoe trend.

Masculine-style ankle boots have won women’s hearts, because they are more practical and cooler (especially in tropical climates) than knee-length boots.

Laila said she often hung out at posh malls across the capital to look for the most “in” shoes around.

Besides making shoes, Siti and Laila also offer shoe repair services.

“Many of my female customers have troubles with their shoe heels. We can repair them. I can guarantee, the charge is much cheaper than any repair services at malls,” Laila said.

The service charge varies from Rp 10,000 to 40,000, depending on the damage. Changing a shoes heel costs Rp 20,000, capping the heel costs Rp 10,000 and an upper-shoe-body change costs Rp 35,000.

If you need fancy footwear but are too tired to wander around the narrow streets of Perbanas in search of a good shoemaker, you can just go to Win’s Boutique in Cikajang, South Jakarta.

The boutique, which opened in 2004, specializes in party and wedding shoes, and handbags.

“I started the business of producing casual shoes, but many stores across the city sold the same, casual thing. They were not unique,” said Wiwiek Setiyowati, the store owner. “I want to create something unique, something that makes my customers feel special, and something that you cannot find at other stores.”

She said her boutique was open for everyone, especially those with “special” conditions, like big or tiny shoe sizes.

For example, Wiwiek has a female customer who is a size 45.

“She often asks me to make her casual shoes, since she finds it hard to find any shoes to fit in her feet. I don’t mind because she usually orders more than three pair of shoes,” she said.

“There was a couple who came to me to make wedding shoes. The problem was the groom was shorter than the bride.

“We had to trick the eye, so at least their heights looked the same. We designed high-heeled shoes for the groom and flats for the bride. Problem solved.”

The prices of Wins’ shoes range from Rp 200,000 to Rp 325,000, while bags sold at between Rp 275,000 and 500,000.

If you want to give your daughter a special gift, you can go to Fashion Addict Boutique on Jl. Gunawarman, South Jakarta. The boutique takes orders for children shoes.

“Besides making women’s footwear, we also make children’s shoes,” said Irma Yuliswari, the boutique’s owner. “Many mothers come to my boutique to order shoes for their girls.

“The mothers usually order ballet flats, party shoes and sandals. They sometimes order the trendy shoes, like gladiator sandals.

“Here, you are the boss because you can choose the design, fabric and sole. The shoes will be ready in a week,” she said.

Irma sells children shoes for Rp 100,000 to 150,000, while women shoes are sold for Rp 150,000 to Rp 400,000.-Source

Woman buys new house for her 400 pairs of shoes

2009-02-06T01:00:00.000-08:00

A British woman has told of how her 400-strong shoe collection prompted her and her husband to move house to make more room for the footwear.

Carolyn Smith, aged 28, moved from her Aberdeen flat to a suburban house where there are now two rooms dedicated to storing her boots and high heels.

The environmental health officer confessed that she spends round £100 weekly on shoes and does not feel right unless she has bought at least two pairs, reported the Sun.

"I know them like a mother knows her children, I know where I bought each pair, how much they cost and what Ive worn them to. Theyre like little works of art to me - I love them all," she explained.

Though the collection is estimated to be worth around £50,000, the mother-of-one and her husband Allan have been careful not to let her penchant get them into debt.-Source

China shoe-thrower: Why did he miss?

2009-02-05T05:57:00.000-08:00

Wen Jiabao and the Chinese Foreign Ministry were both very nice to say that the shoe-throwing incident won't affect UK-China friendship. Good thing too; it would be a bit of a precedent if, say, the US pulled its troops out of Iraq (or, alternatively, sent in another few divisions) out of offence at Muntazer al-Zaidi, the original shoe-hurler.

Mr Wen was obviously and understandably unaware that the shoe-hurler was foreign. We don't have his name yet, but his accent suggests he was German.

The foreign ministry would have been aware by the time it issued its statement this morning, I imagine. In which case, I wonder why the incident should have affected UK-China relations.

It would clearly be unreasonable for Britain to be held responsible for the behaviour of all foreigners on its soil. I suppose technically there was a security issue: but could anyone have predicted this action? Should, from now on, all those attending political speeches and press conferences be forced to remove their shoes lest footwear-lobbing become uncontrollable?

Meanwhile, if the hurler was German, another question arises: why did he miss so badly? The Iraqi was clearly a much better shot.

Probably unfair of me, and revealing my age, but watching the incident on youtube this morning I couldn't help thinking of all those war movies of my youth, in which the Wehrmacht's finest hurled stick grenades at our chaps only to see them inevitably fall six feet short, while the hero was able to take out the offenders with one well-aimed but nonchalant shot from his pistol.-Source

Gwyneth Paltrow to Elle: I'm no 'goody two-shoes'

2009-02-05T05:05:00.000-08:00

Gwyneth Paltrow is trying to shed her uptight image.

The 36-year-old actress insists in the March issue of British Elle magazine that she's no "goody two-shoes."

"I'm probably less square than people think," she said.

Paltrow, who is married to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, emphasized her point by dishing about smoking, drinking and sex.

"Man, I wish smoking didn't kill you. I'd be smoking right now," she said.

"I miss it. The last cigarette I smoked was the day I found out I was pregnant with Apple. I had to sit down and smoke one final cigarette."

Paltrow went on to list her alcohol preferences.

"I also love good red wine. White wine is nice too. I don't like lager, but I like stout - I love Guinness."

Paltrow also commented on BBC presenter Jonathan Ross' offer to have sex with her when she appeared on his chat show last year.

The star joked that the comments were "Hilarious to me. Very offensive to my father-in-law."

Source

Some Thoughts on Comfortable Shoes...

2009-02-04T05:15:00.000-08:00

Whoever said that comfortable shoes are ugly must have been really ignorant. Or really unstylish. I love today's comfortable shoes. My closet is full of them. They are Dansko and NAOT and Mephisto and they are some of the nicest shoes I have ever seen. I got some of my first pairs when I was a pregnant nurse, but that was years ago. My feet were blown up to size 10, even though they are normally a size 8. I thought Crocs would be really comfortable shoes, but as it turned out, with all the swelling and extra weight and water I was carrying, plus with the polyurethane-type material, they just made my feet sweat. This was not the experience I had hoped for. But I was undeterred... I moved on to a pair of low-heeled Dansko sandals, and I have never looked back.

There is actually some truth to the idea that any shoes can actually be comfortable. Ever since a friend of mine was a child, she has had very wide feet with narrow heels. They call them “dancer’s feet”, and they are notoriously difficult to fit. I don’t know why they call them dancer’s feet, because she's not a very good dancer, either. Turns out her feet are as frustrating to her as shoes were to me during my pregnancy. However, several years ago she was introduced to Josef Seibel and ECCO footwear, and she has never looked back.

Throughout her life, my mother has endured the pain of baby toes getting scrunched into supposedly comfortable shoes. She has bandaged and nursed calluses and corns, bunions and blisters, and every sort of other unmentionable foot problem that you could probably, but would rather not, imagine. She really hated her "comfortable shoes". However, during my pregancy, she tried on the new pair of Birkenstock shoes that I had discarded when my foot ventured beyond size 9. She loved the roomy toebox and has never looked back. Later on, she added Mephisto and NAOT sandals to her list of favorites.

My sister loved her extra-pointy-toed shoes with really high heels, stacked heels, wedges, slinky, strappy sandals, delicate mules, satin slippers, ballet flats, kitten heels, and anything else that does not even closely resemble comfortable shoes - until she turned 31. And all of a sudden, her feet cried "HELP!!!". She literally woke up one day and could no longer wear heels from her favorite brands. So last year, I took her shopping and we found Arche shoes and NAOT boots and Taryn Rose heels. She still misses her old favorites, but her feet put up with her in her new shoes.

Why would I spend my hard-earned money buying shoes that are supposedly comfortable, only to find that when I put them on, they turn out not to be comfortable shoes after all? I would have to be an idiot to do that. I used to ask myself, "When will the people who make fashionable shoes learn how to fit a dancer’s foot or a pregnant woman's foot or a nurse's with something beautiful, stylish and affordable, yet also be a truly comfortable shoe?". Well, it happened. And it's happening more and more. And you can find all of these comfortable shoes right here at SBD Shoes.

Source