Croslite rt: wearable technology

On display recently at LA fashion show was a new range of T-shirts, mens' work shirts and children's shorts, trousers and skirts made by Crocs. Colorado-based Crocs are poised to launch a plastic-inspired clothing range including shirts, shorts and skirts containing the closed-cell resin, Croslite TM soft, spongy foam resin. The resin is blended with natural fibres called Croslite rt (rt stands for relaxed technology) and spun into a yarn to create a breathable fabric which is resistant to harsh chemicals and heat, ensuring longevity after exposure to sun, UV light and sweat. Croslite rt is marketed as ideal outdoor clothing. The company will release a range of male and children’s clothing which go on sale in the US , later this year. Plans to sell overseas will follow in 2008. For children, Crocs will create a full line of shorts, pants and skirts. The children's bottoms feature an adjustable waist and roll-up cuffs to ensure growing kids can use their clothes longer. The range of female attire will also follow but the company have restricted their range to male and children so far. When available women's shirts will be equipped with "wire friendly" portals in the chest pocket to facilitate the use of earphones. In the last four months, strong sales have increased the value of Crocs' stocks which have more than doubled since the beginning of May (2007), when it was trading at just under $30 (US). Finacial experts are predicting Crocs (shoe) sales will rise from $354m (£178m) in 2006 to $820m in 2007. The company has ramped up its production capacity to 5m pairs of shoes per month and investers appear to approve the company's diversity into general apparel.
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Caterpillar boots recall (US)

Incorrect labelling on the boxes of Chinese made, Caterpillar logger boots, (often referred to as Cats), claiming them to be resistant to electrical current , has caused concerns in the US. The resultant potential to cause a shock hazard to consumers who come in contact with an electrical current has caused the US Consumer Product Safety Commission in conjunction with the US manufacturer of the footwear, Wolverine World Wide to recall nearly 10,000 pairs of the steel-toed boots

sneakerfiles: Another excellent blog

netizens

sneakerfiles.com is a great source of information and sneakerfile.com forum, opportunity to chat and trade.

Cool hunting:Cool website

netizens


Cool Hunting, and link to Cool Hunting: Nike

Worth a swizz.

Socks, jocks and safe sex: Wearable bearable technology

Living in the 21st century does bring its advantages. Micro-chips are everywhere and socks and underpants are the latest to receive nanotechnology.

Socks fitted with microchips declare a "pick me up" scream every time they are thrown to the floor. An absolute bonus for teenagers and an end to untidy bedrooms, perhaps?

Intimate apparel containing microchips when hurriedly removed now audibly remind all within hearing distance the importance of safe sex or a healthy diet. And finally following the recent spate of bad girl behaviour from Hollywood, vibrating shoes to stop inebriated celebs from falling down is on the cards.

Kiwi Blossom:Passion for shoes

The results from a new survey commissioned by KIWI® Smiling Feet™ reinforce that UK women love their shoes. On average UK women own 10 pairs of smart shoes at any time and 40% surveyed admitted to have at least one pair which were never worn. Presumably kept for that special occasion. Many women admitted to be in love with stylish shoes just less than half (48%) also reported to removing their shoes because their feet were sore. Despite this 60% identified stylish shoes essential to match their outfits. All this was music to the KIWI® company who just happen to have launched a new range of products. The new KIWI® Smiling Feet™ gel cushions and KIWI® Fresh’ins™ shoe inserts, are designed to keep the feet in all day foot comfort. KIWI® company was established over 100 years and is well known for providing quality shoe care products. It all started when Scottish inventor,William Ramsay, living in Australia developed a boot polish in 1906. He and his business partner Hamilton McKellan were making boot polish in a small factory in Melbourne, Australia in 1904. Their formula of a fine blend of quality waxes was new and protected and nourished leather as well as giving the shoes a longer lasting glossy shine. Ramsay called the product Kiwi from the Kiwi bird, the national emblem of New Zealand and in honour of his wife Mrs Ramsay (Annie Elizabeth Meek Ramsay) who was a New Zealander. The kiwi bird design became the trademark and Ramsay began marketing it in Melbourne. Whensuccess expanded overseas Kiwi Polish was adopted by both the British and American armies in World War I. Kiwi was a major improvement on previous brands and in 1908, when Kiwi Dark Tan was released it incorporated agents that added suppleness and water resistance. Australian-made boot polish was then considered the world's best and the company started to export in 1911 to the UK , continental Europe,and New Zealand. The spread of Kiwi shoe polish around the world enhanced the popular appeal of the Kiwi as New Zealand's national symbol. Doughboys took the marvelous boot polish back to the states where it became popular so popular that now Kiwi Polish is manufactured in the United States. By the mid twenties Kiwi polish was sold in over 50 countries and had became a must accessory for the prevalent English style of the time. During the second world war KIWI Polish was used by the Allied Forces to polish their boots. KIWI International was formed in 1967 and brought the diverse company under one worldwide banner and in 1984 the company became part of the Sara Lee Corporation in 1984. Today KIWI is sold and marketed in almost 200 countries around the world.

KIWI® Smiling Feet™ gel cushions are made from polyurethane gel(a visco-elastic material which prevents pressures form passing through it). The transparent gel packs are designed to fit comfortably over the main pressure points on your feet. These have an adhesive backing which allows them to be kept in place.

KIWI® Fresh'ins™ shoe inserts are multi-layer inserts which combine a comfortable soft layer which absorbs shock through cushioning and wicks moisture. The surface of the thin insert increases surface contact and reduces foot slip in the shoe. The inserts have sufficient recall to have a reasonable shelf life (up to 5 days normal wear) and are impregnated with a fragrance which the manufacturer claims lasts all day.

The Aphrodite Project

Apple and Nike have come up with a shoe-cum-iTunes-cum-iPod nano marketing scheme aimed at Macolyte joggers and keep-fit fiends. The shoes carry a sensor and there is a receiver on the iPod nano. Using Wi-fi technology information such as distance travelled and time taken is transmitted to an earpiece. The wearer can also listen to music at a touch of a button. The Aphrodite Project has taken the concept of wearable technology forward into an area which is both practical and with safety in mind. The Wi-fi technology has been built into fashionable platform sandals made for sex workers. Each sandal has an audible alarm system, which when activated emits a piercing noise to scare off attackers. The sandals are also fitted with a built in GPS receiver and an emergency button that relays both the location of the shoes and a silent alarm signal to public emergency services. Depending on the legality of prostitution, if law enforcement cannot be used the signal goes to sex workers' rights groups, such as PONY in New York, COYOTE in Los Angeles, or SWEAT in South Africa. Platform shoes have long been associated with sex workers and ‘the marriage’ of historical fashion and modern technology is not without irony. The Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS) used was originally developed in the late 70’s by the US Naval Academy Satellite Lab and its application to sex workers acknowledges the function they perform to the public and the dangers they face in their profession. Similar GPS technology have now been put to security purpose on some US
university campuses with the Rave Wireless's Rave Guardian, which allows students to use their mobile phone as a personal alarm device.

Terry Fox Run: Charity Auction

The Terry Fox Foundation will hold a celebrityauction in which 12 pairs of 25th Anniversary Terry Fox Limited Edition Replica Shoes, signed by 12 world-class athletes, will be auctioned on eBay starting on August 31. The signed 25th Anniversary Terry Fox Limited Edition Replica Shoes feature the signatures of Terry’s hero, Muhammad Ali, and 11 great Canadian athletes including Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby, Cindy Klassen, Kurt Browning, Mike Weir, Donovan Bailey, Larry Walker, Bobby Orr, Gordie Howe, Silken Laumann and Catriona LeMay Doan. Each pair of the iconic blue shoes will be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity and a map of the Marathon of Hope on the sole liner. The shoes are packaged in a limited edition collector's case. All proceeds from the sales of the shoes will be donated directly to cancer research. To also mark the 25th anniversary of Terry Fox's celebrated journey, the Terry Fox Foundation will release 6,500 pairs of the Orion TF, the 1979 model shoes Terry Fox wore on his celebrated trek, the Marathon of Hope. The shoes will be available in men's sizes from 6-13. The Terry Fox Foundation in conjunction with Adidas-Salomon Canada and Sport Chek, intend to put the profits from the sale of the Terry Fox Limited Edition Replica Shoe to the foundation, which raises money to support cancer research. The
Forzani Group Foundation is a charitable foundation that oversees fundraising activities organized by Forzani Group Ltd. and will contribute an additional $10 (loonies) for every shoe sold at Sport Chek stores. The Terry Fox Foundation and Adidas-Salomon Canada, will also produce four million shoe tags to commemorate the 25th anniversary. The tags have the words, "This shoe ran in the 25th Terry Fox Run" on one side and an image of the Orion TF on the other. The Terry Fox Foundation will distribute the tags to the millions of children nationwide participating in the Terry Fox National School Run Day on September 16. The tags will also be sold for $1 (Ca) through the Foundation's website, and available at Sport Chek stores on Sept. 8 All profits will go to the foundation. The foundation has raised $360 million for cancer research. This year's Terry Fox Run For Cancer Research will take place across Canada and in over 50 other countries on Sept. 18. During the 1980 marathon Terry Fox wore out nine left shoes, but never needed to replace the shoe on his artificial leg. He covered an average of 42 km a day until he was forced to abandon his journey when cancer spread to his lungs. Terry died four months later aged 22.

Shoes are political, Venus

“... our apparel is always in evidence and affords an indication of our pecuniary standing to all observers at first glance ... dress, therefore, in order to serve its purpose effectively, should not only be expensive, but should also make plain to all observers that the wearer is not engaged in any kind of productive labour”.

Thorstein Veblen, 1899

Not sure what economist Thorstein Veblen would make of fashion democratisation? Veblen’s principles appear to clash with the egalitarian concept and the idea of upmarket sports shoes as acceptable attire for the well heeled, just would not make sense to the co founder of the Institutional economics movement. The economist /sociologist is right however shoes are more than shoes. Whether it is Marie Antoinette demonstrating her power to spend, spend, spend, or people deprived of real wealth and access to power to use their shoes to look the part of the high stepper, the same message is clear, shoes are political.

The latest shoe democratisation collaboration comes from Venus Williams and retailer Steve & Barry’s®.They have announced a new collection called EleVen™ by Venus Williams. EleVen™ features a wide assortment of classic, active lifestyle and performance looks, on-court as well as casual footwear, accessories, and more. The signature item in the line is the “V-Court,” a high performance, on-court sneaker. Williams, the four-time Wimbledon Champion and two-time U.S. Open Champion, will debut the V-Court during her matches at the U.S. Open. EleVen™ will be sold exclusively at Steve & Barry's stores in the US. Everything in EleVen™ will be priced at $19.98 (US) and under, including the V-Court sneaker, which will retail for $14.98. While the price point is affordable, the quality of the V-Court is high-end, offering similar construction and styling as many of the most expensive tennis sneakers on the market. The launch of EleVen™ includes over 120 pieces, including nine styles of athletic footwear in a wide variety of colour ways, track suits, fleece outerwear, street active apparel, graphic t-shirts, puffy down jackets with removable sleeves, denim jackets and jeans, velour items, tote and gym bags, jewelry, sports socks and bras, and more. The champion tennis diva has an extensive knowledge fashion design and has drawn upon her learning to create a collection that represents her confidence and energy on the court. The name EleVen™ comes from the address of her first family home in California. Venus also owns a full-service interior design firm called V Starr Interiors, based in Jupiter, Florida.

Timberland Invention Factory

The success of the original waterproof Timberland hiking boot in 1973 led the company to change its name from the Abington Shoe Company to Timberland in 1978. The company went public in 1987. Prior to the introduction of Timberland, most workboots were designed for use in the outdoors, and made of leather for durability, Not all boots were waterproof and Timberland developed injection moulding technology to fuse rubber lug outsoles to waterproof leather uppers that were impregnated with silicon for complete waterproof protection. The result was a guaranteed waterproof leather workboot. The distinctive "yellow" boots became a hit, not only with outdoor enthusiasts, but also with college students both in the United States and overseas. Timberland markets premium quality footwear, apparel and accessories and their products are sold worldwide through leading department and specialty stores as well as Timberland retail stores. Timberland Invention Factory was launched in 2003 to drive Timberland research and innovation.
According to research by Timberland's Invention Factory the critical issue of fit depends upon, not length or breadth of the foot but the volume available to the forefoot. Another research survey supported 50% of men questioned admitted to buying a pair of shoes that did not fit their feet properly. Apparently according to Timberland’s Invention Factory research as many as 60% of men were unable to get a comfortable shoe fit with 35% of the male population reporting a half-size or greater difference between their left and right feet. The Timberland Company was awarded a 2006 Industrial Design Excellence Award (IDEA) for the new Timberland PreciseFit(TM) system. The foot bed insert system helps custom forefoot volume. Each pair of PreciseFit(TM) shoes comes with a set of inserts of varying thicknesses that lock on to a removable footbed, creating optimal volume in each shoe and allowing for differences between left and right feet. The thicker insert minimizes volume in the shoe, while the thinner insert adds volume. This tailored fit works in conjunction with the Timberland Smart Comfort system to give men an unparalleled experience in terms of fit and comfort. PreciseFit(TM) technology will be featured in Timberland's new Outlier Series of men's footwear, Two style categories are offered: Outlier Rugged, perfect for weekend wear, and Outlier Refined, for the casual work environment. In the retail pilot, overall inventory turns increased nearly two-fold and sales revenues increased by 80 percent compared with similar styles. The latest innovation from Timberland’s Invention Factory is the Carbon Fyre shoe for trekking. These weighs 11.4 oz and include an Isomorphic Suspension system where lugs on the soles which adjust individually to uneven trail surfaces. The shies have a carbon fibre heel cradle for stability and will be available from GoLite in Spring, 2008.

Gameboy Platforms we have; now there are Game Girl Platforms

The Aphrodite Project

News of the World Cup, September, France

Keep up to date with Rugby World Cuo News. This is an excellent website Myrugbynews.com

Individual style versus Designer mass production: Where do you stand?

In the glamorous thirties, individual style, made to measure sartoria was the distinction of the ‘haves and have nots,’ today, fashion democratisation led by mass produced designer gear has only led to bling and chavs' mismatch clothing. If fashion reflects zeitgeist then no clearer indication of this trend can be seen than in the Beckhams as they settle in the full glare of the Paparazzi in Hollywood.
On field Becks appeases the animal right lobby but off field the well dressed man wears custom made shoes from the exclusive G.J. Cleverley & Co. Ltd., in Old Bond Street, London. Prior to moving to LA David Beckham flew from Spain to have his first shoe fitting. Quality bespoke (made to measure) shoes require several fittings before the final shoes are ready to wear. Once the feet have been measured and the customer chooses their shoe design, leather and shape, a precise wooden last (copy of his foot) is made and kept on file. The leather parts are assembled with fine adjustments made at the second fitting. The shoe is then finished by by crafts men who hand-stitching the soles. The company also supplies hand tailored shoe trees to keep the shape of the shoes when they are not in use. G.J. Cleverly & Co Ltd., was established in 1958 and soon gained a reputation as a shoemaker to the gentry with their distinctive chisel toed shoe. The founder, George Cleverley was born into a shoe making family, and after serving his time and his country, during the Great War he started working for a high-society shoemaker in Mayfair. There, the craftsman developed the Cleverley shaped shoe which became popular with the nouveaux rich as the English Style of clothing prevailed in fashion. Rudolph Valentino, Humphrey Bogart, and Sir Lawrence Olivier among many others from film, finance and high-society smart set, all clambered to wear quality shoes. He set up his own company and continued to service a diverse client range of clientele including Sir Winston Churchill to Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones). From its inception, Cleverley shoes have been made on the premises with the focus always on quality. The company has never advertised nor operated multiple locations around the world. The reputation for their quality leatherwear has been gained through word-of-mouth by its customers and remains that way to this day. A pair of bespoke Cleverley shoes start around $3,000 (US), but the company also offer 41 ready-made shoe styles including its signature slip-on black cap-toe or pin-point oxfords to its brown calf-skin elastic-sided shoe, and popular brown calfskin raised apron Norwegian. Cleverley’s ready made shoes start at about $600 (US). Founder, George Cleverly died in 1991 but the tradionons of the company are still maintained by successors George Glasgow and John Carnera, who now co-own the company. Bespoke footwear remain very popular in the “well heeled” community in the US and George and John regularly make visits to measure new and long time clients for custom- and ready-made shoes.

Kangaroo skin soccer boots test US democracy

David Beckham reputedly signed a $250 million deal over five years with the Los Angeles Galaxy. The former England captain and metro sexual idol is there to promote the round ball game in the States. High profile Becks and Posh are the toast of Tinsel town with close friends Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, forever at their ‘photo opportunity’ side. A couple of year ago David was the subject of relentless pressure from animal protection groups like Vegetarians International Voice for Animals (VIVA!) who campaigned vigorously to get him to stop wearing kangaroo skin soccer boots made by adidas. Graciously, at the 2002 FIFA World Cup , Becks switched to wearing soccer shoes made from synthetic materials. In the US and anticipating a boom in soccer, adidas continues to make quality kangaroo skin boots (estimated at 1% of their total sales) but have run into a problem in California. The company were subject of a court action successfully brought against them by VIVA! Apparently there has been a 36-year state ban on the sale of products made from various animal species, including kangaroos, and the recent court case has upheld this. The Californian case has still to go to appeal and meantime adidas will continue to sell kangaroo hide shoes in California. VIVA!'s spokesperson, Lauren Ornelas delighted at the court ruling claimed Beckham’s change of heart to promote shoes made from synthetic materials demonstrated to everyone that there was no need to use animal skins to be a good player." However this needs to be tempered with the statement ‘it is not the boot that makes the player, and never has been.’ Kangaroo skins have been used to make quality sports shoes since the middle of the 19th century. In the early days football boots weighed approx. 500 grams when dry and twice as much when wet. Once manufacturers recognised the boot was only in contact with the ball for about 10% of the game, they developed less heavy boots. Lighter footwear meant players were less exhausted and subsequently the overall speed of play, increased and made for a more enjoyable spectator sport. The soccer boot was streamlined with the ankle hugging component reduced to below the malleoli (ankle bones). At first this met with concerns about ankle injuries, but this proved ill founded. The traditional soccer boot was now a slipper or soccus. Leather soles were first replaced by moulded rubber, and then injection moulded PVC before eventually nylon and plastic prevailed. The new synthetic materials were waterproof, cheap to produce and substantially lighter than leather. The upper of the slipper became thinner improved treatment of leather with synthetic waterproof compounds contributed to the development of the new styles. The physical properties of kangaroo skin were recognised very early in the 19th century and most quality sports footwear has a naturally high strength-to-weight ratio. In the 80's, Australia Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (CSIRO) under took independent tests which confirmed these findings and determined that, when shaved to 20% of its original thickness, kangaroo leather retains between 30% and 60% of its original tensile strength, as compared to a retention rate of 1% -4% for calf and bovine leathers. In a further study by the CSIRO, it was found that kangaroo leather was at least 50% stronger than goatskin gloving leather in tear strength and puncture resistance. Microscopically the hide displays high uniform orientation of fibre bundles in parallel with the skin surface. The skin of the kangaroo does not contain sweat glands or erector pili muscles, which would weaken the skin surface. The yellow elastic fibres (elastin) are evenly distributed throughout the skin thickness which gives the leather greater tenacity. These properties remain even when the leather is split. Tanning further enhances the leather's properties by un-sticking the fibre bundles thereby allowing them to move independently. Comfortable and supple kangaroo skin shoes require no break-in period and give the player a tight fit with optimal feel for the ball. Suitably treated kangaroo leather was favoured because of its high performance nature. In recent years polymer development has been able to replicate much of these desirable properties and whilst unnatural, the synthetic boots are as serviceable. Today's boots weigh less than 196 gms and the development of latex foam, meant the soccer shoe could be cushioned at no detriment to overall mass and new lightweight synthetics were stronger and harder wearing than traditional soles. It has been reported VIVA!, uphold the belief football boots underpin Australia's export of kangaroo products, provoking "the largest massacre of land animals on the planet. " In truth, reputable firms collect kangaroo hides during the Kangaroo Harvest. Commecial kangaroo and wallaby harvest quotas. The Australian Federal Government have an agency to regulate and control the harvest and manufacture of all kangaroo leather. Kangaroo culls are set at 15-20 per cent of the roo population, with four species i.e. the eastern grey, the western grey, the red and the common wallaroo, chosen. In the US, the federal government protects endangered species too but interestingly dropped the kangaroo from their list in 1995. More recently, the Bush Administration has also cut several iconic American creatures, such as the bald eagle and the wolf. This and the potential to drop others has alarmed environmentalists who see mounting threat to wildlife from climate change, habitat loss and other causes. Stonewalled by Federal Government activists are now fighting back using strict state wildlife protection laws. The Californian case has to go to appeal, but meantime adidas will continue to sell kangaroo hide shoes in California, in the full knowledge, the ruling is unlikely to be implemented.

Watch this space.

Posh and Becks do Hollywood while Dame Shirley does her thing at Glastonbury

Whilst mum and dad wow Glitter Town’s fashionista, it is Posh and David's (LA Galaxy) youngest sons Romeo and Cruise Beckham that are impressing the chicks (well soccer moms), with their Livie & Luca's Viva Futbol! Shoes. Even young Suri Cruise is sporting the soft leather shoes with flexible soles and soccer ball logo design. Living in the sunshine state the Hollywood set may have little need for wellies but they will be missing out on the new vogue in rainy UK. Boutiques and shops across the country are stocking up on a variety of new styles and even opera star, Katherine Jenkins has become a pink wellie wearer. Miss Jenkins modelled a pink knee-high pair at the recent Katherine in the Park with KJ spelled out in diamante jewels. Her inspiration was Diva, Dame Shirley Bassey, who slipped on a pair of the practical footwear for her concert at the Glastonbury festival. Dame Shirley hit the high notes wearing a Julien Macdonald original and her wellies. Of course they were custom made and encrusted with real gems worth £3,000. Her monogram DSB, were clear to see with the practical advantage of no mix up in the backstage changing rooms, should the two singers ever appear on the same bill. Patterned wellies are a must in the rainy season again and shop shelves are full of them. However a word of warning from Florida USA a member of the local constabulary was wearing his leather soles cowboy boots whilst on highway patrol. He pulled in for ‘refs’ and his leather soled boot slipped off the break pedal, accelerated into the doughnut shop window. Dooh!

His Florida police chief has banned all his officers from wearing cowboy boots to work.

Step on my Elvis Signature Shoes, why don't you?

PSDI USA was founded in 2001, by Philip Chemla, a specialist in apparel and footwear sourcing and supply. PSDI USA became the worldwide supplier for Christian Audigier and Von Dutch originals footwear. In 2005, PSDI USA become the worldwide Footwear Licensee for Don Ed Hardy Shoes and subsequently Elvis Shoes. The company have recently announced, Elvis Shoes will partner VH1 Save The Music to produce an exclusive limited edition Elvis/VH1 Save The Music Shoe. The VH1 Save The Music Foundation was founded in 1997 and has successfully and sustained instrumental music programs in 1400 public schools in 80 communities across the US. Many artists and celebrities have supported VH1 Save The Music Foundation by partnering with the organization in the last decade. Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Sting, Billy Joel, Kiefer Sutherland, John Legend, Rob Thomas, Alicia Keys, and Jewel have all donated their time and efforts to the organization in attempts to raise awareness about the importance of music in a child’s education. PSDI USA will donate $10,000 (US) to VH1 Save The Music Foundation from the sale of the exclusive limited edition Elvis VH1 Save The Music shoes. The Elvis Shoes collectionmarks the first ever signature footwear collection inspired by the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll. The collection was made possible through a licensing arrangement with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.. EPE is based in Memphis, with additional offices in Los Angeles and oversees Graceland and related attractions in Memphis, including the Heartbreak Hotel. The inspiration for the new Elvis Shoes Fall 2007 collection was the famous 68′ Comeback Special, in which Elvis(TM) rocked the nation in an all black leather suit. Presley recognised he was no longer a pop star and had become distanced from his audience and the timely reminder came from John Lennon, who responded to Elvis question, “Would the Beatles buy an Elvis record?” Cynically Lennon retorted , “Sure, if you ever make a decent record again.” The new line of Elvis Shoes will continue the ELVIS(TM) status crown symbol, the Lion’s Den crest and Gothic “E” signature marques. Plans are afoot to introduce a series of print ads to support the campaign launch. The rising underground music artists selected for the “Future Rock Royalty” ad campaign were selected for their ability to inspire a generation of musicians, poets, and children through their music and for their iconic personal style, all of which Elvis Shoes collection of footwear represents. The “Future Kings of Rock Royalty” ad campaign includes the following artists, who collectively have over 3 million viewers on My Space:
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Benny Da Kid,Zach , Married by Elvis, and The Lady Tigra

Wearable Techhnology: Chinese Death Skates

Unravel 2007, is a fashion exhibition with a difference,and showcases designers who combine fashion and functionality into wearable technology. It was part of the annual Siggraph convention, an international digital graphics and animation conference in San Diego recently. Part of the showcase this year included a self-sustainable chair and inflatable dress made out of polyethylene that was connected to an air pump in the shoes. When activated walking causes the dress to slowly inflate into a chair until it is firm enough for the user to sit on. The chair deflates into a flat dress again. The conceptual garment designed by Joo Youn Paek is to motivate people to enjoy walking and sitting as a loop behaviour on the street' (sic. not too sure it will catch on but could be very useful for people complaining of severe circulatory and or ambulatory disorders). Something which may have more immediate commercial appeal was a brainchild of Andrew Schneider who developed a solar bikini which features strips of flexible solar panels sewn into the fabric of garment with conductive thread. The bikini pumps out up to 5 volts of power and when connected through a USB cable can charge a mobile or an iPod music player. Talking of wearable technology, motorized roller blades are the new underground craze. The blades have a 10-pound engine encased in a seven-inch box on the heel of the right boot which sits above a plastic fuel tank. The tank holds a litre of two-stroke petrol and drives a 25cc motor and top speed of 20mph. The blades are controlled with a handheld throttle and can burn up to max speed in just a few seconds. There are no brakes but there is a shut-off button which acts like an emergency stop, leaving the SK8er to freefall to a halt. If the skates were legal (still debated) they would be classed as a motorized vehicle and users need a driving license, insurance and L-plates. Available in China as Gasoline Skating Shoes, a consignment was recently seized by UK Customs and Excise Officers amid safety fears. Dubbed Chinese Death Skates , the authorities believe the exhaust vent and starter cable lie dangerously close to each other. Anything petrol can do, electricity can do more environmentally friendly and now Go-llerblades from Instructables member "Stasterisk" are available.

Interesting Sites
Gasoline Roller Skating Shoes

Go-llerbladees: Motorized Skates - Part 1

Go-llerbladees: Motorized Skates - Part 2

Great shoe book

The Seductive Shoe: Four Centuries of Fashion Footwear by Jonathan Walford.

Sk8ers Decks: Tell me more

History of Skateboard Shoes.

Rugby World Cup 2007: Tell me more

Rugby World Cup 2007 just around the corner. Learn more about the game and the history of rugby boots.

One small step: Size does matter?

According to a report recently in the Sun newspaper, it seems wet concrete shrinks when it dries out. This has naturally caused some concerns to Hollywood’s greats, keen to leave the right impression when invited to the Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Macho pair, George Clooney and Matt Damon rocked up wearing bigger sized shoes just to leave men’s prints and not "girlies’ shoeprints. The duo, along with Brad Pitt and producer Jerry Weintraub of Ocean’s Thirteen, left their hand and foot prints.

Sticky Thongs: G string of the feet

That's Cool Inc. make strapless footwear that sticks to feet. The company started with eight employees and a goal of 25,000 shoes per month in 2004. Today, the operation outputs 100,000 shoes per month with two shifts of five permanent employees. Company managers Christina and Edwin Brown have recently been awarded Arizona Small Business Exporter of the Year award.

Paleopodiatry Blog

Cool Blog

Paleopodiatry
resource for archaeological and anthropological interest to podiatry

Sponsored by Nike: The China Syndrome

Just been to Beijing and there for all to see in Wang Fu Jing shopping centre was a Nike store. Nike have been involved in China for more than 25 years, first sponsoring China's national basketball teams in 1980. At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Nike sponsored 12 Chinese athletes who won gold medals. For the Beijing '08 Olympics, Nike is sponsoring 22 of the 28 Chinese federations. The establishment of flagship Beijing store is timely for Nike and comes just before the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Nike considers China, their second biggest market and have established retail outlets in more than 300 cities across the country. The new Beijing store is within walking distance of Dong Dan Park, one of the city's most popular playgrounds with multiple basketball courts and football pitches. The park is sponsored by Nike. On hand to wish the new project, good fortune was Liu Xiang, the world record-holder in the 110m hurdle. Lui Xiang is also sponsored by Nike. FIFA Player of the Year , Ronaldinho, along with two team mates from FC Barcelona, Gianluca Zambrotta and Giovani Dos Santos, popped in to raise the profile. FC Barcelona are currently on tour in Asia. Football and basketball are the two most popular sports in China. Outside the US China represents the biggest basketball market in the world. Needless to say Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are extremely popular in China. Both players are of course sponsored by Nike.

Graffeeti Sneakers: the new canvas

The difference between graffiti and tagging is as everyone knows, the former is script whereas the latter is artwork. Although to the owner of the wall it may make little difference. Now tagging is the inspiration behind a new line of children’s shoes, called Graffeeti. The canvas shoes are covered in strips of white plastic which can be written on and rubbed off at will. Each shoe has “Tag ... You’re It!” etched on the sole Graffeeti is the brainchild of Kelye McKinney and Jim Mulligan, two civil engineers in Rocklin, Calif. And inspired by their write on and wipe off, white board. At first they experimented with patent leather but this proved too expensive. Now they have a suitable material the Graffeeti shoes have a fabric loop to hold a dry-erase pen and recommend the use non-toxic pens, large enough not to be choking hazards (6 supplied). The designers do not condone the “destructive practice of graffiti on public property,” but do promote self expression and hope to develop a dry-erase backpack to allow budding taggers to hone their skills without risking arrest. (sic. in other words, by the time junior gets to a wall, they will be quite proficient taggers - that‘s one up for the environment). Graffeeti sneakers are available in high-top and low-top models and retail at They cost $31.99 (US) children’s sizes; and $35.99 (US) for junior sizes. The shoes can be bought on Graffeeti’s Web site and at several stores in Northern California.

According to the NPD Group, a marketing research firm, the children’s footwear industry had sales of $5.7 billion in the 12 months ended in May.

If it wasn’t for Madonna and Pope John Paul II…..

Timberland is apparently facing a $100m (US) shortfall in sales as fashion trends slip toward slimline shoes and trainers such as Vans and Crocs. In a bid to recapture market share Timberland went back to the drawing board and now have a cunning plan to complete. Watch this space. The company was established by a Boston-based apprentice stitcher, Nathan Swartz and came about as a reaction to the success of Dr Martens Boots. At the height of Timberland's success in the mid-1990s, the company were embarrassed their footwear were foot fare for hip-hop and rap artists and always wanted to be footwear champion of the working class rather than pander to fashion. Looks like that is all going to change, but wait ……perhaps not all is lost. Dr Martens boots are now making a fashion comeback, as retro style prevails. French fashion house Chloe, English designer Gareth Pugh and Tokyo's Yohji Yamamoto all used Dr Martens in recent runway shows. Yamamoto has also made a Dr Martens line for retros who want their picture in both the style and news pages while protesting at the APEC riots. Back in the dim past when only Skins wore Docs, the idea they would make an appearance on a cat walk was unthinkable. Madonna and Pope Paul II put paid to that with their clear endorsement that ’the four wheel drive, boot look’ was both fashionable and functional footwear. Classy workman’s boots, Australasian-made Blundstone enjoyed a brief fashion surge at the same time but sadly the Tasmanian and New Zealand factories are closing with production is moving to Thailand and India. This is of course not the end of ‘Blunnies,’ just, they are no longer “Made in Australasia.”

What ever Paris wears....

Fresh from incarceration, Paris Hilton,(size 11 shoe) has plans to mirror her younger sibling, Nicky Hilton and join the rag trade. Nicky designed handbags for Japanese brand Samantha Thavasa and launched Chick by Nicky Hilton clothing line in 2005. Paris Hilton has already tried her hand at purses, jewellery, perfume (Parlux Fragrances) and hair extensions but now has signed a licensing agreement with Antebi Footwear Group and hopes to launch Paris Hilton Footwear early next year. Hot foot from collaboration with the collapsible shoe project (see below), the lady now wants to create stylish and fun fashions, from head to toe. At least Elmer Batters contented himself with “ from the tips of her toes, to the tops of her hose, ” but no Paris is going the whole hog. Although no actual details of the Paris Hilton Collection have been announced it is tipped the collection will feature everything from high end heels to platforms to flats to wedges. (sic. sounds a bit, same old same old, to me). But there are also plans for a collection of sport shoes aimed at the athletic-minded fashionista. So Chavs and blings, sharpen up your credit cards, Antebi Footwear Group from New York produce quality footwear which retail through stores like Nordstrom. Another Hollywood siren to launch her own signature shoes is Jessica Simpson. Her popular brand includes heels and are sold in department stores including Macy’s. If Posh picks up the fashion gauntlet, then Burberry be afraid, be very afraid.

In the meantime I am off to see the excellent This is England, direct by Shane Meadows.

Interesting Sites
Burberry vs. Chavs

Skins Inc.: Seeing is believing

Question. What do you get when you put a ‘wild child heiress,’ with the inventor ’s of the first chemical corn pad, and NASA?

Answer. A collapsible shoe.

Skins Inc. has a patented modular shoe system consisting of a two part, interchangeable, shoe structure with a flexible base called the bone and an outer layer or a collapsible Skin. The Bone can then be fitted into any number of skins, which can very in fashion and form i.e. from sneakers, to suede shoes, to formal leather footwear. Unattached from the Bone, the Skin is fully collapsible making them easy to pack in restricted space.

The concept is similar to Marshmallow shoes (yes, where are they now?), and share the advantage of a common foot template (aka the Bone). According to the company, consumers can in the future confidently buy Skins on line in the full knowledge these will be compatible with their own foot template. The new shoes are set to retail at $150-$300 (US), with the first collection of 25-30 styles for both males and females.

Is the shoe real? Some concerns have been expressed in the financial/investment press as to the current availability of the new shoes. The hope is everything will come together for the launch but some sceptics have expressed alarm the actual shoes are not yet ready for retail and there is an intention to create an artifical demand. This is not uncommon in the investment business and results (rather naughtily) in added value to a company's shares. The continuing success of blue chip, CROCs, means many investors are keen to cash in on the next shoe phenomenon.

The shoes are orwill be available form a limited set of outlets initially and include:
Littles of Pittsburgh, Footwear etc., World Class Footwear, Abbadabbas, J Stephens Footwear, and Sportie LA.

Interesting Sites
Get skinned alive.com Nightwatch BBC.
Collections at WSA Luxury and Designer Shoe Showcase

Crocs: Out of this world

Hospitals have dress codes right down to the shoes doctors and nurse wear on duty. Something that has recently cause a stir is the safety of Crocs in the workplace. A study from Sweden revealed Crocs could produce a static charge that may interfere with medical testing equipment and then larmists thought the plastic clog (with holes) could be an added health and safety risk and increase potential damage from ‘sharps.’ Despite no record of injuries by this means Ottawa Hospital, Ontario recently announced a ban on all staff from wearing the colourful clog. Alarmed at the potential risks, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, city workplace health and safety committees from hospitals and health care settings undertook and investigation into the probability needles, blood, or other fluids could compromise health and safety and infection control by accidentally falling through the holes in Crocs. After careful consideration, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority announced this week, Crocs provided no more a health and safety risks than any other similar footwear. Researchers also discovered the amount of static produced by Crocs was comparable with that produced by other footwear and was unlikely to interfere with medical equipment. They are now unlikely to follow the sumptuary ban. According to the president of Manitoba Nurses' Union, at least half of all nurses wear Crocs (or clones) and find them comfortable and supportive through long shifts and demanding physical work. Wearing clogs is well established in many orthopaedic units and surgical staff have worn them for years. Traditional wooden clogs most comfortable and considered far superior to Wellingtons (rubber boots) which can harbour fungal infections. This is especially problematic when footwear is shared for theatre work. Crocs have the added advantage of being made from a synthetic polymer, closed-cell resin called Croslite™. The thermoplastic material provides an easy to clean surface which moulds to fit the foot. Ideal for a single user but when footwear is shared no disadvantage to multi-fit. Crocs were conceived by three friends, Scott Seamans, George Boedecker, and Lyndon Hanson when on a trip in the Caribbean. Seamans demonstrated to his friends a new clog, ironically made by Canadian company called Foam Creations. The shoes effortlessly allowed him to walk on wet surfaces and appear to be an ideal solution for a boaters who need slip resistant shoes to negotiate boat decks. They licensed the product and in 2002, Crocs™ introduced the original Beach™ model. In their first year they earned a gross profit of $1,000 (U.S.) from sales in America. Four years later, following a series of strategic licensing deals the company earned more than $200 million a year from sales in 40 countries. During the first quarter of 2007, Crocs’ sales increased 217 per cent from the same period the previous year. The latest range from CROCS’™ includes Sassari™ an elevated footbed which fuses fashion and functionality and designed exclusively for women’s feet. The retro inspired style are available in two tone colour combinations; Black/White, Fuchsia/White, Sea foam/White, Celery/White and Gold/Chocolate. CROCS’™ also manufactures a line of orthopaedics shoes, Crocs Rx — Relief, which have been designed for general foot problems, and the CloudM and Silver Cloud range are marketed