2008 Footwear Plus Magazine Awards

Season for prize winning is upon u s and Footwear Plus magazine announced the winners of its 10th annual Plus Awards in recognition of design excellence for 2008. The 2008 Plus Awards are the footwear industry’s only awards as determined by the votes of thousands of retailers nationwide. The winners reflect the breadth of the industry, stretching from “Luxury Comfort” to “Athletic Lifestyle.” The 2008 Plus Awards included three new categories: Pediped Footwear took home the first-ever prize for “Pre-Walkers,” while Hunter Boots was named top brand in the premiere “Rain Boots” pool and; Terrasoles received honours in the new “Outdoor Lifestyle” segment. Other 2008 winners included: Nike, New Balance, Earth, Ed Hardy, Me Too, Merrell, Stride Rite, Coach, Kenneth Cole, Clarks, Dansko, Vans and Simple, which was rewarded for the second straight year in the “Green” category, a special award for eco-friendly design was presented by LITE Leather.
Ugg Australia was the winner of the coveted “Brand of the Year” Plus Award for the second year in a row as well as No. 1 in the “Boots” category. Skechers took home the prestigious “Company of the Year” award; and Wolverine came in first in the “Work” segment—a category it has taken each year since the Plus Awards began.
The 2008 Plus Awards winners will be fêted at an exclusive industry engagement on Feb. 4 at the Ava Lounge in New York.

Forensic Podiatry: The games afoot

The Boston University Forensic Society is holding a seminar entitled Forensic Podiatry and the Foot in Medicolegal Investigations with David Agoada (Podiatrist),the guest speaker. The Biomedical Forensic Sciences Program trains students for work as forensic scientists, DNA analysts, chemists, death investigators, and crime scene responders.

Glam, Glitter and Disco Foot

By the 70s dancing took place within the confines of high tech disco's with light shows and glamorous settings. Statuesque dancers needed to stand out and the fashion for elevated or platform shoes came to pass. Rod Stewart, the Cockney Scottish football fan extraordinaire, was a humble boot boy at Brentford Soccer Club long before he became gravel voiced lead singer of the post Mod band, Faces. Rod, unlike his musical chum (Sir) Elton John, wore platform shoes on stage to look sexy. Tiny Elton on the other hand needed the extra leverage his boots gave him to reach the piano keys on his Steinway during live performances. Later Elton appeared in the film Tommy sporting the largest pair of DM boots ever seen. The Faces first album was called 'First Step' (1970). Greek actors wore raised shoes to tower over their audience and the resulting swaggering gait was understood to send females into sexual ecstasy. Platform shoes were first introduced in the Middle Ages and were worn by court ladies but the fashion was short lived and fell to the prerogative of the height challenged. Paul Gadd (aka Gary Glitter) was certainly the latter and used his glitter platforms to achieve the former. He was, in his heyday, an act to catch. His platforms were specially made for his feet and allowed him to achieve quite spectacular choreography during his live shows. Young people expressing their sexuality began to dress in ambiguous ways, the style was called unisex. The Thin White Duke aka David Bowie was certainly not stuck in the cupboard when it came to express his female side on stage. Ziggy (Stardust) definately wore the boots and shoes to be seen in tights. For the first time in hundreds of years men appeared in clothing modern society had designated as female attire. Whilst this was a zenith for excellent dance music, ironically the dance styles were remarkably bland. There is a certain irony here in that whilst the styles were unremarkable, people did dance a lot and a common injury associated with "all nighters" was a flat foot caused by ligamentous collapse. The condition was called "disco foot."

Footprints for Hope

“The Footprints for Hope Project” is a new Holocaust education initiative to be used this year by the Department of Public Information on the International Day of Commemoration (27th January) in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The project was designed to engage children aged 13 years and above to become more aware of the Holocaust and respect for Human Rights. The Footprints for Hope Project will bring local schools together with the global network of United Nations information centres. The visual focus for the project is the mountain of countless shoes left behind by victims murdered in Nazi death camps. The project has two important elements: students explore the history of the Holocaust through a meaningful discussion of a historical artefact i.e. a single child’s shoe found at Auschwitz-Birkenau. This is followed by a creative art project. This involves painting discarded shoes in a manor to effect positive change and hope. ‘Footprints’ is a short educational film produced to accompany these activities and is designed to support teachers in preparing for the ‘Ordinary Things?’ activity and for students to help inspire their creative, artistic response. The project was developed in partnership with the Institute of Education (University of London) and the Holocaust Centre in the United Kingdom.

Interesting Site
Child’s shoe: Collections of Imperial War Museum London.

The New Modesty: Bling is dead!

So far this decade fashion has suported exhibitionistic clothes, flashy, over-decorated accessories and ugly shoes but a new order of osterity is on the horizon and we will likely see the demise of bling as an age of temperance prevails. The New Modesty describes a movement where gratutitous vulgarity and decadence in fashion are replaced by practicality and fiscal prudence. ‘Discreet consumerism' that favours quality, value for money will predominate for the foreseeable future as investment pieces rather than one-season wonders prevail. Some argue ‘statement shoes’ are escapist but the recession and absence of disposable income may see the trend die, at least for the forseeable future. Nike’s Jordan Brand made special shoes for Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby (Atlantic Hawks) to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama. In patriotic red, white and blue shoes were customized for each player complete with their personal logos. The date, Jan. 20, 2009, was also included as a keep-sake. Nike also released a pair of Air Force One’s on the same day, to commemorate Martin Luther King’s birthday. The shoes come with a special packaging which includes a black bag with a motivational quote and a logo to represent 100 years of Black History. Shoes were given to select individuals active in the Black History Community. The commemorative shoe has a black upper constructed from premium leather with red and green stitching all along the shoe. There is also a laser print on the back end of the side panels. In the Philippines, Sporteum Philippines Inc, a local sports apparel company has produced a pair of shoes bearing the image of Barack Obama which they intend to present the new US president as a gift. D’Shoe-Obama comes in black, red and white combination and the other in pristine white. There is a picture of Obama printed on both sides of the shoes near the ankles. Several pairs of the “D’Shoe-Obama limited edition,” shoes will be shipped to the White House.

Jankovic:Hot foot in Melbourne

Jelena Jankovic unexpectedly lost her 4 round match at Australian Open in two straight sets against Marion Bartoli (France).This is something of a big surprise because Jelena Jankovic is symbol for consistency on WTA tour. According to reports Jelena Jankovic was forced to step lively on court as the soles of her new Anta shoes failed to protect her feet from the Melbourne heat. The soles of her feet got so hot she was putting them on ice during the break. Despite the hot weather and hard court the shoes failed to provide the comfort the champion needs and so it may be ack to the drawing board for Chinese, Anta.

Shoe phones: A reality Max!

Agent 86-style phone inside a shoe is no longer a fictional accessory for bumbling secret agents like Maxwell Smart if Flinders University computer scientists have they way. Bioinformatics' boffins first developed their device as an amateur theatre prop but now believe it may have practical application. It now seems the shoe phone might offer extended battery life and could even be used in medical applications to detect falls or other medical emergencies and automatically call for help. The shoe-based platform makes it possible for the device to detect shocks and orientation changes resulting from a fall. This data can be conveyed to alert others. According to experts relaying voice communications via a shoe no different to relaying medical data for remote patient monitoring, such as pulse, blood pressure, blood oxygenation etc. The shoe is an ideal location for housing the electronics required for storing and communicating this type of data. Normal movement can harvest enough energy to to charge the device without relying on batteries. Wearable technologies using advanced electronics, sensors and communication technologies would seem a major step forward to allow individuals to live independently in the home.

Shoe Allergies

Shoe allergies are a form of dermatitis caused skin contacting allergens (irritants) in shoes and socks. Symptoms include inflammation, burning sensation, blisters, itching, fissuring (cracks in the skin) and sometimes secondary infection. Long term exposure to an allergen may result in the skin becoming thick, red and scaly. The allergic reaction is usually confined to the tops of the foot and toes but can also be found on the sole of the foot, the legs, and the sides of the feet and heels. There are many chemical substances in shoes and socks which cause allergies. Glues (para-tertiary butylphenol formaldehyde resin (PTBP-FR), and colophony); leather chemicals (potassium dichromate); rubber chemicals/accelerators (2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and thiuram mix chemicals); dyes (particularly PPD) ; and metal components/decorations on shoes (nickel sulphate and cobalt chloride) are all potential sources. There is no mechanism for de-sensitising to rosin. Once the dermatitis appears on the skin, treatment is as for any acute dermatitis/eczema, i.e. topical corticosteroids, emollients, treatment of any secondary bacterial infection. The best way to avoid allergy is by being aware of products that contain the product. Look for the list of ingredients on the product labels or packaging of all substances you come into contact with, not just the ones you think you might be reacting to. If necessary contact the manufacturer of the product or cosmetic and avoid products that do not list all the ingredients. However sensible and practical this advice is it is often complicated because many of the products go under different names and there is a general lack of product information at the point of purchase. Most countries now have a system called Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) system cataloges information on chemicals, chemical compounds, and chemical mixtures. MSDS information may include instructions for the safe use and potential hazards associated with a particular material or product. There is a duty to properly label substances on the basis of physico-chemical, health and/or environmental risk but the MSDS is not primarily intended for use by the general consumer. The focus is primarily on the hazards of working with the material in an occupational setting. When no information available and direct inquiry to the product manufacturer is required.

Colophony (rosin) is the yellow/black sticky sap which comes from pine & spruce tree trunks. When it is distilled it is used to produce turpentine and gum, the latter is widely used in every-day products from personal care and beauty products, topical medications, cosmetics, adhesives and sealants, chewing gum to shoe glue and boot polish. Rosin is also used for its friction-increasing capacity including ballet and flamenco dancers rubbing their shoes in powdered rosin to reduce slippage on stage. Violin and banjo players use it to prevent the bridge from moving during a performance. You will often see clouds of it used by gymnasts and competiton weight lifters to improve their grip. The list is almost endless but despite its usefulness Colophony also causes Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) and Occupational asthma. Skin contact in some people causes a dermatitis with the typical symptoms of redness, swelling, itching and fluid-filled blisters. Because of the ubiquitous nature of rosin in our every day lives people with allergies have major challenges trying to avoid contact which often means reading labels very carefully and looking for products which contain the irritant or related chemicals. Rosin is also known by several other names, including: Resin terebinthinae, Tall oil, Abietic acid , Methyl abietate alcohol, Abietic alcohol and Abietyl alcohol.

Interesting sites
Shoe allergies: A resource for those who have allergies to their shoes
Dermnet.nz

Shoe endorsement deals: A wind of change

Anta is one of China’s athletic companies and they have just stepped in with an endorsement deal for top-ranked women’s tennis player, Jelena Janković . The star was formerly with Reebok but now has a three year deal with Anta estimated to be worth $5.1 US million. So far the significant non-Chinese endorsements for Chinese footwear companies have been in basketball. Peak counts Shane Battier and Jason Kidd as endorsers. Shaquille O’Neal has a China-only endorsement deal with Li-Ning. However since a decline in popularity of tennis in the US combined with recession in the shoe industry has left many top seeds yet to find sponsors. More and more Chinese companies like Li-Ning and Peak are beginning to compete with the giants Nike and Adidas. The Anta deal highlights a changing marketplace for sneaker endorsement deals. There is also a change in the way many players will be paid, previously contracts were based upon on-court performance however now these are tied to the success of the products.

ZIPZ: Cool, sensible and economical in these frugal times

Jerry Stefani is a shoe innovator and has a patent on an interchangeable component shoe system. Sounds complex but simply put describes a shoe where the upper and sole are able to be separated and held back together by a zip. Stefani has applied them to Chuck Taylor style kicks. His new footwear line are called ZIPZ. Shoe-tops (both hi and low) come in vibrant candy-like patterns and designs and are zipped around the sole. This conveniently allows you to mix and match tops and soles. Ideal for the ultra fashionable and those who wish to save on the price of shoes. ZIPZ will be in a store near you this spring with prices ranging from $55-$75 US for a complete shoe.

Be Australian - if only for one day

Whilst Kazakhstan has Borat Sagdiyev; and the UK, Vicky Pollard, Australia has a new loud mouth champion in the form of Sam Kekovich a former Australian Rules Footballer. Sam is a lobbiest for lamb eating and the vegetarian’s nightmare gives an address to the nation each year for Australia Day (January 26th). This year he has declared the downturn in economy as “un-Australian” and believes “To be truly happy, you just need a chop and a cold one.”







Don’t be shy now, join us to make the world Australia – if for only a day.

Barefoot Quest

Last year, when basket ball coach Ron Hunter (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis) went barefoot on the sideline to help collect shoes for needy children around the world, little did he know hundreds of foot soldiers would join him in his quest. According to Samaritan's Feet, a non-profit organization that distributes the shoes more than 300 youth, high school and college coaches have pledged to coach one game barefoot and collect shoes around the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Samaritan's Feet hope to collect 1 million pairs in 2009.

Crock of conterfeit plastic clogs: What to do?

Finland has been hit with a pirate plague of counterfeit Crocs. The latest find numbered 180,000 pairs en route to discount stores and markets. This is the third major bust of illegal footwear in Finland in twelve months. Presently confiscated shoes are destroyed which provides much needed heat but little else. There are no Finnish laws governing recycling and all the confiscated materials are incinerated. In Germany and Belgium counterfeit trainers and sports shoes are used for surfacing playgrounds and the Ministry of Finance in Finland hope to achieve something similar by reviewing the Customs legislation.

Goody Two Shoes

I suppose the difference between the old and new president is whilst George W Bush inspired shoe throwing (at him) in his terms of office, his successor, Barack Obama has inspired a new shoe design –to be worn. Called the 44 (after the 44th president), the “basketball shoe” is one of a growing list of products being marketed with Barack Obama associations. The 44 is being launched through the internet as the marquee shoe for a new sports brand called Naturally Athletic Sports. Comparisons with (Nike) Air Force 1’s and its association with the ‘most powerful man on earth,’ cannot be coincidental and we need to wait and see who becomes the highest flyer. 44 shoes become available from April 1 and the first 100,000 sneakers retail at a $20 discount at $44.09 US per pair, with every pair sold Naturally Athletic will donate a pair to disadvantaged youths up to 45 days after the shoe’s launch.

If you are in Walsall, England there is a shoe exhibition called Goody Two Shoes to be held at the Walsall Museum. The exhibition features 49 classic, popular and unusual designs from the past and present, covering over 220 years of footwear history. From killer stilettos to kitten heels, flat pumps to sling backs, shoes of all shapes and sizes are on show in a new exhibition. The fancy array of footwear has been gathered from the museum’s permanent collection, as well as pairs from Walsall’s famous Hodson Shop Collection of working women’s clothing from the mid 20th century. The Hodson Shop Collection, which comprises thousands of pieces of clothing bequeathed to the borough by Edith and Flora Hodson, who ran a general store and drapery in the front of The Locksmith’s House, in New Road, Willenhall. Goody Two Shoes is on display at Walsall Museum, in Lichfield Street, in the library complex until February 28.

The Janeen Mansour Celebrity Shoe Drive’ recently held at the Rancho Park Golf Course in Los Angeles, was attended by popular over 600 personalities participating at the ‘Celebrity Charity Shoe Throwing Competition’ resulting in the donation of over 1000 pairs of shoes for needy families. Melanie Griffith and Christian Audigier donated several pairs of shoes including a new unused pairs of Ed Hardy’s shoes. A spokes person for the Salvation Army acknowledged the donated shoes will go a long way to help rebuild the lives of those in need. Ms Mansour is wrapped with the success of the event and already planning one in Dubai this year and again in Los Angeles in July. Although President George Bush and Lara Bush were invited they declined but are supporters of the Salvation Army and will make shoe donations in support of Mansour’s shoe drive.

The Blue Shoe Prioject: The story of the blues

The Blue Shoe Project is a non profit record label based in Dallas, Texas. The sole purpose (excuse the pun) is to promote the works of blues performers to school children and is the brain child of Jeff and Michael Dyson. Jeff Dyson is a huge fan of the blues and became concerned that many of the great legends were of an age where they would no longer be around and how important it was to encourage young people to become more aware of the oral history of ‘blues.’ The Dyson’s produced a concert in Dallas featuring Pinetop Perkins, Henry James ‘Mule” Townsend, David "Honeyboy" Edwards and Robert Lockwood Jr. This was a concert with a difference and after the performances the musicians took questions from the audience and told the stories behind their songs. Admission was restricted to local college students, who were required to write an essay on the history of the blues to gain admission. The event was filmed for posterity and the Shoe Project was set up as a non-profit organisation. To raise capital copies of the Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live in Dallas" concert cd were sold on line. The album went on to win a 2007 Grammy Award for best traditional blues album. Father and son Dyson have other projects in the pipeline including another DVD and CD of concerts. More importantly they have started two educational programs that travel around schools in Texas teaching children about the history and relevance of the blues. The program is also used to promote awareness of not pirating music. In a generation which takes free downloading as a right the organisers feel it is important to ensure artists should be compensated for their work.

Here is some Pinetop Perkins with Down in Mississippi

Kanye West x Louis Vuitton sneakers: Kicks with Balls!

From cave paintings prehistoric people decorated and scarified their skins presumably to protect themselves from imaginary evil spirits. Later these patterns were incorporated into clothing designs as talisman with significant social and spiritual meaning. These designs are clearly visible today such as in the brogue patterns worn in shoes. Another example is the shoe tassel as seen in the loafer. The origins of the shoe tassel relate to need for the victorious to demonstrate to the rest of the tribe a heroic conquest. How did they do it? Well they cut off the testicles of their foe and sported them about their person. Our brave ancestors were prepared to wear the “balls,” of their kill. This was not done in any derogatory way nor was it intended as an insult to the victim, far from it. The keepsake was worn in respect for the departed and the hope the wisdom and strength of the vanquished would become the victors. Now you sneakerheads can do the same with the new Kanye West x Louis Vuitton sneakers. Seen here is Kanye West sporting his new Louis Vuitton sneakers.

Smellyfeet: Who let the dogs out?

Dont Take Off Ur Shoe - More amazing videos are a click away

Selling shoes in 2009

As recession bites the sport shoe companies are hedging their bets by keeping tabs on all areas of growth which includes ath-leisure. Always a banker, the major companies are no relying on growth in their fashion sector which currently accounts for up to and beyond 30% of their market. Already we learned adidas were globally promoting their new wears (see below) well now New Balance and Nine West Group have announced an agreement to license, create and distribute a fashion-lifestyle footwear collection. Under the agreement, the initial collection will offer active lifestyle fashion footwear with performance technology, and will be available in a limited distribution nationwide and internationally for spring 2009. The collection will be designed in partnership with Nine West’s Fred Allard, Savania Davies-Keiller and Roberto Crivello (New Balance). New Balance will be responsible for the innovative material direction and insole technology while Nine West will concentrate on the soft-tech styling and trend-right colours. Nine West and New Balance are powerful brands with strong consumer appeal. In the three decade Nine West has been around it has evolved from an American shoe label to a leading global brand that encompasses not only footwear but accessories, sportswear, denim and more. New Balance was founded over a century ago and has grown from a Boston-based arch support company to leading global footwear, apparel and accessories company with a reputation for technological innovation, domestic manufacturing and best-in-class athletic and lifestyle products. For St Valentine’s Day 2009 Reebok have earmarked the re-release of the Dual Pump Runner, either in red or with red splattered paint across the grey colourway. The pump shoes were first introduced in 1993 and originally had one pump only but now the new kicks have two, with one on each side of the shoe to maximize comfort and support. The new kicks on the block from Jordan Brand is the signature, sneaker, the Air Jordan 2009 (AJ’09) designed by Jason Mayden. This is the follow up to the XX3 which was the last of the numbered Air Jordans. To be released exclusively on January 31st 2009 with a suggested retail of $230.00 (US). The first nationwide launch coincides with NBA All-Star Weekend and will drop Saturday February 14th, 2009, with a suggested retail of $190.00 (US).

Comfortable Shoes: Utilitarian, Unisex and Ugly

In times of hardship and economical decline then shoe styles often take on a utilitarian and unisex style. This is predictably met with a tirade of abuse from the fashion police who jealously guard their right to be well healed. In the late seventies when most of the Western World were struggling with social decline the punks, radical gays and skin heads took to Doc Martens giving the first unisex style which eventually became gentrified, fashionised, and the forerunner for four wheel drive shoes, still the prerogative of the preppy crowd. Unisex footwear really began in the sixties with the Hippies and their sandals which became the counterculture’s signature footgear. Flip flops had become synonymous with the cheap package holiday and no self respecting holiday suitcase was without the unisex plastic sand shoe. Once again the humble thong came to silence its critics when it too rose to ascend the catwalk and become the toast of the contemporary fashion. Long before Crocs, the fashion clog was a must for both men and women in the heady early seventies and prior to the Glam era, no heavy metalist would be without their wooden clogs. ‘Shoes for the proletariat,’ as they were known post the French revolution were openly condemned as a fashion disaster and like the sabots of the revolution quickly abandoned as ugly. However vengeance of the clog came to haunt the fashionista in the form of croslite, and the much maligned Croc. Hanoi Jane may have been many things to many people but she was single handedly responsible for the trainer revolution for women. Unisex, I hear you bay? Yes because for decades trainers for women were scaled down from mens’ designs. How unisex is that? Hated as much as the leotard and leggings they came with the fashion police continued with their barrage of condemnation, that is until designer trainers made an appearance and became the true mark of casual elegance for the Sloan Rangers, Yuppies and Hooray Henries. Had it not been for the Chavs where would the UGG boot be today. Certainly a firm favourite of the low social economical groups who would supplement the heat needed to avoid hypothermia by dawning their favourite sheep skin lined boots. But when Baywatch’s Pamela Anderson was photographed wearing her fashionable uggs and bakini then all Hell was let loose, and the foot police are still reel’in from the fall. Of course the true irony of utilitarian, unisex and ugly shoes is they are all comfortable.

Collectors be on the look out

Collectors are waiting for the Converse Shoes In Books Pack which is a promotion to mark 100 years of the Converse Canvas All Star basketball shoes (1908- 2008).





The shoe has been made for the anniversary and is sold in a box shaped like a pile of books. Accompanying the shoes is a book that covers the history of the brand, as well as featuring 100 celebrities endorsements and 100 people inspired by the celebrities. The collection will be available in three colours and two sizes only. Release date imminent. Meantime Must have high top kicks for the fashion conscious environmentalist this season is trainers made from recycled bus seat covers and tyres. A UK bus company, First, provided materials from old buses for a project as part of the company’s commitment to sustainability. The shoes are produced in Portugal and designed by London-based firm Above And Beyond and retail at approximately £70 a pair. The project came about when Transport Recycling in Partnership (TRiP) worked with First to find new ways of recycling transport industry waste.

adidas Originals House Party

For the first time in 60 years adidas will fund a global mass marketing campaign to promote their Originals fashion brand. The Originals currently accounts for 20% of Adidas sales and in the collection are evergreens such as the classic Stan Smith tennis shoe. The campaign will involve the same old, same old celebrity endorsements but in the form of a party, Adidas Originals 2009 Street Party with gliterati from sports and music including:David Beckham, Missy Elliott , Kevin Garnett, Ilie Năstase, Kimora Simmons, Katy Perry and Mark Gonzales and Russell Simmons all present.

Street artists, skateboarders, performers and athletes got together for a night of dancing, art, gaming, swimming and connecting together as the Adidas Originals of the moment. The global campaign is a bid to secure a bigger share of the sports apparel and footwear market which is estimated to be worth $70.2 billion (U.S.). Fashion is considered to be $45 billion with $25.2 billion for performance products. Growth of both categories is flat in the current economy.

Shoe throwing is catching

Aliens from outer space, or the works of a clandestine Mujahid,thousands of shoes were dumped on a main Miami expressway recently causing chaos during peak traffic. Despite police investigations the ownership of the shoes remains a mystery. Perhaps it was a truck spill of the convoy of shoes needed for the First Celebrity Shoe (Throwing) Drive and competition to be held in West Los Angeles? It was reported Dubai TV personality, Janeen Mansour was in Los Angeles to host a celebrity shoe throwing contest for the New Year. "If The Shoe Doesn't Fit Throw It" is to be held at the golf driving range at Rancho Park Golf Course, West Los Angeles on Jan. 10, 2008. A host of celebrities including local dignitaries were invited with a special invitation to President George W Bush and the First Lady to throw the first shoe. The new and nearly shoes come from public donation, who are invited to attend. There will be three categories: Children's, Ladies and Men's Competition. Winners in each category will take home "The Golden Shoe Award." The Guinness Book of World Records representatives were also invited for record breaking throws. Volunteers from the Salvation Army, Southern California region will collect the discarded footwear and donate them to needy families.

Obesity Can Damage Your Feet.

As we grow older the waistline starts to expand and the need to wear flared trousers upside down becomes more likely. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ National Health Survey (2005) 72% of men and 58% of women in the middle years were overweight or obese. However a more recent survey from the Institute of Health and Welfare’s suggests obesity is on the increase with 1 in 3 Australians overweight. More frighteningly almost half of all adults were over weight (7.4 million) and 3 in 10 children were considered obese. Just when you thought it safe to come out of the cookie jar, women in their early thirties gained 12kg as they approach their mid fifties, and men upscaled, 8kg during the same 20 year period. Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Body mass index (BMI) which is a simple index defined as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m2) is used as a guide by health experts to measure obesity. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines "overweight" as a BMI equal to or more than 25, and "obesity" as a BMI equal to or more than 30. Increased body mass index (obesity) affects every part of the body, including the feet and now experts are saying obese people are more likely to suffer from chronic health problems like diabetes II, certain cancers, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

Cardiovascular disease (mainly heart disease and stroke) - already the world's number one cause of death each year.
Diabetes – which has rapidly becoming a global epidemic. WHO projects that diabetes deaths will increase by more than 50% worldwide in the next 10 years.
Musculoskeletal disorders – especially osteoarthritis.
Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon).

Childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of premature death and disability in adulthood. In 2003 high body weight was thought reponsible for 7.6% of the total disease burden in Australia and the total financial cost of obesity in Australia in 2005 was nearly $4 billion.

Many factors influence our weight but any sustained minor change in energy imbalance between calories (in) consumed and calories (out) expended during exercise can result in weight gain. All I need to do, is lie on the couch and look at a piece of bread and butter and the pounds pile on. Some people are more likely to gain weight than others because of their genetic and biological makeup. A major disadvantage of obesity is the unwanted pressure on weight bearing joints which can, in some cases adversely effect the function of feet. Being overweight or obese has been reported to increase the risk of orthopedic complaints such as osteoarthritis, tendinosis, bursitis, overuse syndromes and surgical complications. Obesity is considered to be a mechanical risk factor for osteoarthritis with the knee joints especially susceptible. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend a reduction in weight of 5Kg will result in pain reduction of 50%. The overload effect on joint cartilage may explain part of the increased risk of osteoarthritis, at least for osteoarthritis of the knee, in overweight people. However recent advances in the physiology of adipose tissue add further insights in understanding the relationship between obesity and osteoarthritis. Research findings suggest joint damage may be caused by systemic factors such as adipokines, which may provide a metabolic link between obesity and osteoarthritis. Further this evidence supports the hypothesis osteoarthritis is a systemic disorder and not just due to body wear and tear. Very obese people (young and old) walk with a wider base of gait (shuffling) and in some cases place intolerable stress on the architecture of their feet. Continued presence may also accelerate wear and tear in the joints themselves causing traumatic arthritis which further impairs mobility as we age. Research supports a clear relationship between diabetes and obesity and a global shift to diets which contain energy-dense foods (high in fat and sugars but low in vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients) this combined with a sedentary existence where we take less physical activity. The combination is deadly. Higher sugar intake places increasing demand on natural supply of insulin in the body and as we age sometimes the insulin balance cannot cope either because we produce less quantity or what is available, is ineffectual. Diabetes and its co-moribund partners can lead to damage to blood vessels and nerve supply, reducing the blood flow to the feet and increasing blood pressure. The reduction in the ability of sufferers to feel their feet and increased risk of developing foot ulcers and infection places them at greater risk of ulceration and amputation.

What to do in 2009
Change dietary habits to reduce sugar intake and increase the consumption of fibre and vitamins. Loose weight by eating sensibly and increase the amount of physical exercises undertaken, including walking for at least 30 minutes. Speak to your doctor if you experience either tingling, numbness or burning sensation in your feet; or leg pain when you walk. See a podiatrist if you experience chronic foot pain like arch or heel soreness.

Celebrity babes and Mini-me: where did that all begin?

Whilst the recession is causing cautionary buying in most areas of couture, children’s’ designer wear is out performing womenswear in the high street. Most parents through economic necessity may be recycling their clothes, their off spring are sporting the latest fashions as the mini-me phenomenon continues. Well meant parents want junior to look good and reflect what mum and dad would look like, if they could afford it. Much of this is driven by the images of the celebrity babes (that is the infants of the celebrities) which have become the ‘must have’ accessory for the glitterati. To meet the niche market, designer labels are expanding tot offerings with Lacoste poised to introduce a new kids fashion line in the spring; and Jean Paul Gaultier planning to launch a kids' line in the Autumn.

Currently in London there is an exhibition at the V&A Museum of Childhood entitled 'Top to Toe: Fashion for Kids' which show cases 300 years of fashion for children. Exhibits include clothing from the 1700s to the present day, ranging from an 18th-century "pudding hat" (worn to protect a toddler's head) and 1900s muff and hat made of peacock feathers to a pair of 2007 Ugg boots. The display reveals that while today's kids are in the thrall of celebrity role models, in previous centuries it was the young royals who were the fashion icons. From the 1800s onwards, the royal children were real fashion drivers and the first to be seen and pictured wearing sailor suits. Clothing is an indicator of social status and middle class parents then were as to dress their children, as the royals. Often Victorian children’s fashion mimicked fancy dress with a definite emphasis on the mini me approach to style. Highlights include an 18th-century red and cream candy-striped military suit for a four-year-old boy as well as an array of early Victorian dresses, worn by Nancy boys. Both male dresses and short trousers were the way the prudish Victorian dealt with pubescence in the hope the dreaded penal erection would be avoided. Getting a pair of long trousers then was very much a right of passage. Twentieth century styles for children became more egalitarian as the modern child was treated as a discerning consumer and the fashion vogue has swung from quality garments to designer labels in our throw away consumer society. Top to Toe: Fashion for Kids' is at the V&A Museum of Childhood Bethnal Green, London, runs until April 19 2009. Look out for the book which accompanies the exhibition by Noreen Marshall.

Ted Lapidus (1929-2008)

Ted Lapidus, the fashion designer who redefined chic with the 1960s unisex look, died recently aged 79. Lapidus democratized “French elegance and classicism” and made fashion accessible to men and women in the street. He created his label in 1951 and swept the international fashion scene for the next two decades with his modernist approach to simple lines, such the iconic sandy-coloured safari suit for men. The poet of French couture as he was often referred to was born in Paris in 1929. A large part of his success was his realisation there was an untapped market for the twenty-year-old baby boomers.