Casuals gear is back: What's the story?

Former Oasis front man, Liam Gallagher has not just gone solo but also started his own clothing line, Pretty Green .
The ‘Wildman of Indie Rock’ became so frustrated after he could not find clothes he wanted to wear he started Pretty Green. The ‘Casuals style of men’s clothing’ took off with a vengeance and now the self confessed non-fashionista is about to add a new female line to his Pretty Green collection. Liam makes no secret he loves shoes and enjoys wearing comfortable suede shoes which is hardly the image of a ‘chemical generation’ rebel rouser. But such is zeitgeist. Older sibling, Noel Gallagher remains unimpressed by his brother’s successful endeavors. What’s new there?

VIDEO: Doc Martens turn 50

VIDEO: Doc Martens turn 50

Easter Feet: Washing and kissing

The first thing God said to Moses was ‘take off your shoes’
"Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Exodus 3: 5, 6.
The significance of bare feet to Judo Christian believers is profound and they are not alone for other religions also hold bare feet in high regard. Why remains a mystery. Certainly in Biblical Times shoes and sandals made from animal skins were difficult to clean and in agricultural societies likely to become caked in dirt. The emblems of filth were left outside homes and temples but bare feet also required to be purified and this responsibility fell usually to the lowest house servant. Having the feet bathed signified the status of an honoured guest and foot washing was considered as an honour or service and became a common Jewish custom at formal banquets. Foot washing took place either on arrival or before the feast. In the New Testament there are two accounts of the feet of Jesus being washed by women. In John 12 1-3, "Mary" sister of Lazarus washes the feet of Jesus. This takes place at a feast and Mary takes perfumed oil (nardin), and greases the feet of Christ before wiping them dry with her hair. In the second account, Luke 7:36-48, unnamed women (thought to be a prostitute) washes his feet after he dines in the house of Simon, a Pharisee. She bathes the feet in perfumed oil, and, while she is washing his feet she weeps with her tears rolling onto the feet. She then dries his feet with her hair. Bathing feet in oil was also taken as a prospect of wealth. Most experts recognize this humble action was a deliberate act of humility and mark of respect.

At the Last Supper however Jesus subverts the ceremony by washing the feet of his disciples. Despite their protestation he reminds his devotees of the significance of foot washing. (John 13:1-17)

14. "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also
ought to wash one another’s feet.
15. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done
to you.
16. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his
master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
17. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."

Theologians believe Christ's action demonstrated service rather than status represented greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven. This action prepared his disciples (and their converts) to walk in the path of righteousness.

Christians adopted the Hebrew foot washing ceremony and in some religious faiths this is still considered as one of the three ordinances (sacrament) i.e. baptism, the Lord's Supper, and foot washing. Foot washing acts as a renewal of baptism and commitment to living God's way of life. Foot washing is still practised in one form or other throughout the world on the Thursday before Good Friday.

Popes, religious leaders, and monarchs have all honoured the commitment to faith and humanity. Ceremonial foot washing usually involved marking the toe with blood or oil to symbolize either consecration or the cleansing of the entire person. This type of ritual was considered important before entering God's house. In the UK the ceremony was often accompanied with the distribution of alms in the form of food and drink, clothes and money. Until 1689 monarchs personally washed the feet of poor people. In the reign of William & Mary (1689-1702), foot washing was replaced by specially minted coins, called Monday Money. To this day the custom is still celebrated on the day before Good Friday. Her Majesty the Queen distributes specially minted money to the poor. A man and woman are chosen to represent each year of the monarch's life and given the special coins in a church. The specially minted coinage is worth much more than its face value.

Proskunew is an ancient Persian custom and involves kneeling and putting the face to the ground. Sometimes kissing the ground is part of the custom. It too was considered an act of submission, respect, gratitude, supplication, neediness, and humility and was used on all sorts of occasions. The custom is thought to have originated as a non-verbal greeting where men of equal rank would kiss each other on the lips. An inferior kissed his superior on the cheeks, and where one was much less noble rank than the other, he fell to the ground in homage. It became ritualized at the oriental courts, and according to rank, visitors would prostrate themselves, kneel in front of, bow for, or blow a kiss to the king. In days gone by there may have been practical reasons for blowing a kiss as halitosis was thought to be common. When Alexander the Great (327) spread his empire to incorporate others lands he naturally took his countrymen (now Iran) to serve at his court. As ruler supreme he commanded all subjects showed respect in his presence and that of his representatives. Conquered people like the Greeks despised the thought of prostration, bowing or kneeling, to anyone other than their Gods. However, proskynesis continued to be practiced at the courts of his successors and remnants remain today. We still bow for kings and queens. By the time of the Old Testament the custom had passed in judicial behaviour and when an accused was brought before the judge, he lay prostate. If found guilty, the judge would place his foot on their neck. If innocent the judge would stoop over and lift their face with his hand. To the Hebrew lifting the face was a declaration of innocence in a judicial, proceeding. When Muslims bow towards Mecca this is another reference to proskynesis and by contrast the posture of early Christian worship was standing.

According to Brasch (1989), kissing the feet was a gesture of homage and deference, far removed from its erotic roots. Millions of pilgrims with loving pressure have worn down the feet of the statue of Saint Paul in Rome with their lips. At the beginning of the Holy Roman Empire it was the custom for the faithful to kiss the right hand of the Papal Father. In the eighth century, a rather passionate woman took liberties and according to legend, the Pope cut off his hand in disgust. The custom of kissing the Pope’s right foot was adapted as more appropriate. Pope Innocent III (1198-1216) had kings and churchmen kiss his feet. Today the act of homage involves kissing the Pontiff’s right shoe. Lips are aimed at the cross-depicted on the shoe. This is either taken as a tribute to his authority or the simulation of servitude.

Excerpt from the Afternoons with Jenny Seeton Cutin FM 101, Perth Western Australia, Friday 03/26/2010.

Doc Marten Exhibition: Northampton Museum

Northampton Museum is hosting an exhibition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dr Marten’s Boots. Invented by Dr Klaus Martens after he could not find a suitable pair of boots to support ankle injury caused after a skiing accident in Bavaria. In 1947 he came up with the idea of combining soft leather and air-padded soles into a pair of boots. He and a friend Herbert Funck went into partnership selling 1461 boots. Dr Martens boots have experienced various transitions across the decades and become firm favourites of policemen to punks; clergymen to high fashion divas. The new exhibitions tells the story of the boots from the first production line in East Northamptonshire, to their current cult status among youth culture. The iconic boots have come to represent both fashion and anti-fashion which no other shoe has. On show will be the famous DM stilt boots worn by Sir Elton John in the film of the rock opera, ‘Tommy’ by Pete Townsend among many other exhibits. Admission is free.

Can you design a pair? :Hush Puppies Shoe Design Challenge

There is a new Hush Puppies Shoe Design Challenge contest. You can enter up until April 18, 2010 and the winning designs will be part of Hush Puppies 2011 line. The five finalists will have their design shown on-line for a public vote for winner. All five finalists designs will feature at Runway on Monroe. This fashion event on May 15, 2010 in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan will showcase their illustrations for all to see. The overall winner will receive $1,000 (US), a one-on-one design summit with a Wolverine World Wide designer(s) and free Hush Puppies for a year.
The contest is free to enter but the organisers do suggest a minimum $1.00 voluntary donation to the Michigan Basset Rescue organization.
For more information read the contest rules and submit your design with entry form to:hpdesignashoe@wwwinc.com

or via US Mail to:

Hush Puppies 2010 Shoe Design Contest,
Attn: Tracy Fahselt,
9341 Courtland Drive,
Rockford, MI 49351

Obese children and increased foot morbidity

According to a new study published in Pediatrics, obese children are at increased risk for leg and foot injuries. Researchers looked at 23,000 children, ages 3 to 14. In the breakdown among the obese group children one-sixth had more leg, foot and ankle injuries than healthy weight children. According to the researchers Inactivity is a significant contributory factor in developing obesity. For these reasons, it is important that parents be mindful of the type of footwear they purchase for their children and make sure that any sign of foot problems and pain be evaluated by a foot health care professional. Use information on how to help children stay at a healthy weight can be found atThe U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Diamond encrusted football boots: Somebody got a bargain

A star-studded VIP party was held back in December to celebrate the launch of Rio Ferdinand's new charity Live The Dream Foundation for the benefit of under-privileged childen. The event was hosted by actor James Corden and Lord Archer acted as auctioneer. Unfortunately because organisers had failed to put a reserve price on the three most expensive items in the auction they were all sold very much under value. Diamond-encrusted (2576 gems) football boots worth £125,000, donated by Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) were sold for just £18,000. A second pair, given by Chelsea skipper John Terry and covered with a dazzling 2,374 jewels, was sold for £20,000 (estimated value) £135,000. Just to complete the hat trick Lord Archer sold a third pair donated by Ferdinand himself and valued at £125,000, for a mere £22,000. As a result of the blunder Ferdinand's Live The Dream Foundation was short of £325,000.

The boots were commissioned by Embee Jewels of London, who also donated the gems. A staggering 7,444 precious stones were added before the boots were independently valued by official testers at the Assay Office in London.

Dana Davis Shoes:When does the shoe fit?

Dana Davis is the founder and chief executive of Dana Davis Shoes. The company retail fashionable shoes with customized arch supports and strategic cushioning. Dana Davis shoes have built-in foot orthoses developed with patent-pending technology and according to the manufacturer give sheer comfort to chic fashion. Thumbs up from celebs for Penelope Cruz, Sarah McLachlan, Carrie Ann Inaba and Anne Hathaway have all been seen wearing them. Inspiration for her comfortable, fashion shoes came through Dana Davis’s own experiences as socialite and working women. A Type 1 diabetic,Ms Davis was all too aware of the importance of comfortable footwear for someone working long hours on her feet. After eight attempts at elective foot surgery the penny finally dropped she needed comfortable shoes but could not find them on the fashion shelves. Determined to create a range for like minded women she started her own small shoe company and working in conjunction with podiatrists developed Dana Davis Shoes.
Fitting a shoe to the foot is problematic and ill fitting footwear is considered to lead to a variety of problems over the course of time. According to the Healthy Footwear Guide it is possible (for most women) to find shoes that fit properly without losing the sense of style.

Never buy shoes without trying them on (even though you know what size shoe you wear). Sizes do vary from brand to brand, and from time to time companies do change their lasts without warning. This may result in a different fit in familiar shoe styles. When buying shoes make sure you wear the type of socks/hosiery and foot orthoses you intend to have with the new shoes. If your feet swell try on new shoes in the afternoon (when oedema is present). Feet are not always the same size so it is important to try both shoes on before purchase. A shoe fitter will know this but as most shoes are purchased in self service stores (or over the internet) some caution is required.

Feet get longer and broader on weight bearing. Try standing with the new shoes on one foot at a time. While standing on one foot, wiggle your toes and check for toe space. The toe box should allow normal foot function. The topline of each shoe needs to neatly sit against the sides of the feet with no obvious pressure or discomfort. This may vary with shoe and boot styles. Carefully stand on your tip toe to check the shoe bends with your foot. Standing normally there should be approximately one half inch (13 millimetres) of space from the end of your longest toe to the tip of the shoe. The new shoe should fit the width of the foot comfortably allowing you to walk with ease and unimpeded normal foot function.

Take the new shoes for a test drive in the store and if it pinches try on another pair. Shoes do not need to be broken in (stretched to fit the feet). This is a myth which dates to the time when women wore downsized men’s’ shoes fitted to smaller feet. When walking check the shoe gently grips and supports the foot with no obvious inside slippage (you may have to adjust the retaining medium e.g. laces or strap). The outsole should provide safe grip.

Happy shoe hunting

The Sole of Birmingham: History of Sherman Shoes Exhibit

The Birmingham Historical Museum & Park Michigan will host The Sole of Birmingham: History of Sherman Shoes Exhibit through to 5th June. The exhibition explores and chronicles Sherman Shoes, the first family shoe business in Detroit In 1957 the company expanded into Birmingham and then the entire Metro-Detroit area. The exhibit features historic photographs, memorabilia, and vintage shoes from D. Larry Sherman’s personal collection. This includes a size 23 Converse All-Star shoe worn by Detroit Pistons great Bob 'The Dobber'Lanier.

Something old, something new, something borrowed something blue......."

“Something old, something new,

Something borrowed, something blue

And a lucky sixpence in her shoe”

Still slavishly followed by couples eager to maintain the traditions surrounding matrimonial ceremonial dress, but few people really know what the significance of the rhyme is and where it came from.

The rhyme first appeared in print during the 19th century and was ascribed to "some Lancashire friends". So it is anonymous, but many believe the practice predates the publication by at least a century. There is some historic evidence to support this. The Oxford shoe (lacing shoe) first appeared in 1640 and only became popular 100 years later when grooms were known to keep a lucky sixpence (or sickie) in their shoes. This was first recorded in 1774 and was thought to be a talisman to ward off evil doings from unsuccessful suitors. To prevent the groom from tripping at the alter (very unlucky) they stood on the latchets (sometimes silver) of their shoe laces. Prior to lacing shoes the bridal couple wore silver buckles on their shoes. Apparently evil spirits are not too keen on metal and silver is the metal of choice (as in silver bullet to kill a vampire/werewolf).

The Something Old

In the 17th century "Something old" referred to superstition relating to protecting a baby. Baring in mind many brides were with child when they got to the alter, so the association is not that odd. More and more commonly the something old became a handkerchief, a bride’s garter or bridal slippers.

The Something New
There are no citations for "something new," albeit brides normally wore their best dress to the ceremony. From early Saxon days through to the 18th century the bride came to the wedding dressed in a plain white robe. Thought to signify a public declaration the bride brought nothing with her to the marriage and certainly no outstanding debt for her new husband to honour. (brides were chattels). Marriages were frequently arranged and brought two families together. Loving relationships often followed the union but not necessarily predate it. In the case of unexpected pregnancy the union was hurried along. By the 19th century the colour white was associated with a virgin marriage.

The Something Borrowed
In times past in many cultures brides were taken by force hence borrowing clothes was a necessity. The widely held superstition was wearing something borrowed (or stolen) was lucky and bridal shoes offered the bride the same luck as the previous owner. Even by the 19th century shoes were still expensive items of clothing and getting a pair for the ceremony would be a precious gift for most ordinary folks. The term, ‘following in your father’s footsteps’ refers to the then custom of bequeathing footwear to loved ones. This custom of borrowing shoes for weddings may account why today the bride’s shoes are often kept as keep sake.

THe Something Blue
Wearing something blue was an expression of faithfulness and is cited in Chaucer's' Squire's Tale (1390). A long standing bridal superstition stated no harm could befall a bride wearing blue. The hue of choice was heaven’s blue and the bride often chose a blue garter or one coordinated with her bridal colours.

And the sixpence in/under the shoe
The origins of a ‘sixpence under her shoe’ may well relate to the ancient custom of "Jus Prima Noctis". Here the king, lord, or priest of the parish could claim access to the bride on her first night of marriage. This was common to many cultures including the Scots (seen in Braveheart). During the reign of Malcolm III (1058-93), Queen Margaret demanded and secured the abolition of the law and a mark of silver was substituted as the price of redemption of the girl's chastity. This is thought to be the purpose of ‘the sixpence under her shoe’. By 1814 silver sixpences were commonly used as lucky talisman. (You may recall you used to get a silver thrupenny in the Christmas pudding.)

In different parts of the world the same custom was seem with regional variation. In Sweden, the father of he bride placed a silver coin in the left shoe of the bride and the mother put a gold coin in the right shoe. This meant the bride would never lack luxuries. In Canada, brides wore a 25 cent bill in their shoes and US brides from North Carolina carried a dollar bill in their shoes.

Scottish bridegrooms too had superstitions and many wore their left shoe without buckle or lacing (latchets) to prevent witches from interfering with their male prowess on the night of nuptials. In the Isle of Sky the groom’s shoe laces were tied together but in other parts of the highlands, the laces on the right shoe were loosened at the church door. No explanation can be found to explain these quaint customs.

Excerpt from the Afternoons with Jenny Seeton Cutin FM 101, Perth Western Australia, Friday 03/19/2010.

Feel the Love™

“Feel the Love™” is the name of the new Spring/Summer shoe line for women, men and children from CROCS. The Crocs’ range featuring the Company’s proprietary Croslite™ material runs the full gambit from peep toes and sandals, to wedges, flats and West Coast-inspired loafers. The ABF™ Flip and Slide are ergonomically designed thongs which have become a firm favourite like the Crocband range.

Malaysia International Shoe Festival

The inaugural Malaysia International Shoe Festival will open in Kuala Lumpur on 2nd April at the Putra World Trade Centre. The event will celebrate the best of the local shoe industry and traditional footwear, as well as giving a platform to international designers. In attendance will be Jimmy Choo who will present ten of his most successful creations. The event is organised to coincide with the Formula One race at Sepang.

Piano-themed sneakers and the Lang Lang Effect.

Lang Lang (pronounced long long) is a famous Chinese classical pianist who has sold well over 1 million CDs and DVDs, and hundreds of sold-out concerts across the globe. Lang Lang is a superstar and cannot walk the streets of his native China without being swarmed by fans for autographs and photos. Chinese teenagers have taken to the classics in no short part as a result of Lang Lang and his charisma. Rated highly by his peers the Chinese piano player is on a par with Placido Domingo, Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. To encourage young Chinese kids to take up the piano the superstar asked Adidas to design a gold-and-black piano-themed sneaker. They did and it has his name scribbled in Chinese and a silhouette of the piano star in action. The phenominal interest in Lang Lange has been dubbed 'the Lang Lang Effect' by some because of the number of Chinese children now beginning to follow classical music.

Hit songs with shoe(s) in the title

Over the decades many songwriters have written and recorded songs about shoes. As metaphors for the human condition they provide a perfect poetic vehicle for song writers. Many shoe songs became chart successes with some even topping the best sellers. The following is a chronological list of popular songs with shoe(s) in the title that made the top twenty best sellers around the world.

Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy" was written by Harry Stone and Jack Stapp and published in 1950. There were many versions of the song but the most successful was recorded by Red Foley and reached Number One in the US charts in 1950. Both Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra released versions of the Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy.

Arguably the best known song about shoes must be 'Blue Suede Shoes' written by Carl Perkins and performed by Elvis Presley. The idea for the song came when Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash were queuing in a canteen. Someone in front cried a warning not to tread on his foot. 'Hey don't step on my blue suede shoes’. Cash was moved to say to his companion that would be a good title for a song. Later, when Perkins was playing in a dance hall he noticed one of the dancers gesticulating to his partner not to stand on his feet. The following morning he woke up with the song lyrics in his head. Unfortunately a road accident prevented Carl Perkins from performing his version and meantime because Elvis needed a quick follow-up to Heartbreak Hotel, ‘Blue Suede Shoes' went straight to the top of the US charts and became a worldwide hit in 1956. The song referred to suede oxfords worn by middle class kids in the US. The vast majority of teenagers in the UK and elsewhere thought the song referenced to ‘brothel creeper,’ a course suede shoe with thick crepe soles worn by teenage delinquents in the 50s.

Tommy Tucker wrote and recoded Hi Heel Sneakers in 1964. The twelve bar blues topped the R&B charts and became a top ten cross over hit in the US. The song proved very popular among the emerging UK Beat groups and has been recorded by over 200 artists, including John Lee Hooker, Paul McCartney and Janis Joplin.

A track on the 1964 album ‘The Times They Are A-Changin' by Bob Dylan was ‘Boots of Spanish Leather.’ The ballad, some say was about the singer’s love affair with Suze Rotolo and tells the tale of two lovers, a crossroads, and the open sea. Suze left Bob Dylan for Spain prior to the album release.

The Drifters with Johnny Moore had a chard success with I’ve got sand in my shoes in 1964.

Country singer Lee Hazelwood wrote ‘These Boots are made for walking’ which was an enormous worldwide hit for Nancy Sinatra in 1966. The song was recorded in LA and included the session musicians called the Wrecking Crew (a permanent feature on Phil Spectre Wall of Sound recordings). When the single was first released, some thought it had to do with the 1966 subway strike in New York but the lyrics relate to a sixteen year old girl giving the brush off to a forty year old man. Many cover versions have subsequently been recorded by a myriad of artists and in a range of styles including: metal, pop, rock, punk rock, country, dance, and industrial.

Dave Mason wrote "Hole in My Shoe" which was hit for his group Traffic in 1967. Considered to be a defining track of the acid rock genre, lead singer, Steve Winwood disliked the song and thought it did not represent the band's real musical or lyrical style. In 1984, a cover version by Nigel Planer (Neil in The BBC comedy, The Young Ones) also was atop ten hit in the UK.

The Beatles recorded ‘Old Brown’ Shoe written by George Harrison and released as the B-side to the Ballad of John and Yoko in 1969. The song was about the balanced opposites, a theme previously explored in the Lennon McCartney composition, Hello Goodbye.

In 1979 The Eagles released The Long Run which included the track ‘Those shoes.’ The song tells a tale about men who take advantage of lonely single women. The predatory role is triggered by her high heeled shoes with "pretty little straps around your ankles."

Black Sabbath recorded ‘Fairies wear boots’ in 1970 and it appears on their best selling Paranoid album. Legend has it inspiration for the song came when Terry ‘Geezer’ Butler and Ozzy Osbourne (lead singer) saw fairies in the park, running around wearing boots. They composed the song which includes an instrumental at the beginning called "Jack the Stripper". There are several versions of "Fairies Wear Boots."

Kevin Ayers released the single "Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes" in 1971. The song came from the best selling album Whatevershebringswesing.

"Shoes" is a 1975 single by Reparata (previously of Reparata and the Delrons) and was her only solo chart hit. Shoes, was a bizarre wedding song and the lyric tells the story of Johnny and Louise's wedding day, and the contributions of various relatives and friends to the wedding. The song is not about shoes, although it does include the line "Mother didn't give her abuse / she didn't forget her shoes". The singers deep vocal lend to the ambiguity of the singer's gender which adds to the strange mood of the record.

Steely Dan’s ‘Bad Sneakers’ was a track on their Katy Lied album (1975). It was produced by Gary Katz who later regretted not releasing is as a single. It features Michael McDonald's vocals and a Walter Becker solo. Despite general displeasure from Donald Fagin and Becker regarding the quality of sound the album sold well and reached Top Twenty Albums in the US.

Boogie Shoes was a disco hit for KC and the Sunshine Band in 1978 after it appeared on the soundtrack for the movie Saturday Night Fever. Despite only reaching the top forty best selling singles the movie soundtrack album reached number one across the globe. Boogie shoes has become a disco era staple.

In 1982 Goody Two-Shoes by Adam Ant (written by Adam Ant and Marco Pirroni) topped the charts in the UK and Australia. It was the singer last chart success and detailed the frustration and hypocrisy of living in the glare of the paparazzi.

Furniture’s "Love Your Shoes" in 1984 had great potential to become a best selling single but due to a financial crisis at their record company Stiff Records demand for the vinyl could not be met. Instead it sold as part of the album The Wrong People. Since its break-up, the band has retained a certain cult appeal.

Run DMC had a major hit with the rap, My Adidas in 1986. The song was written by Joseph "DJ Run" Simmons and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels and made it to the top ten in the US.

Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes was collaboration Paul Simon and Joseph Shabalala. It appeared on the best selling album Gracelands in 1986. The song relates to a short relationship Paul Simon had with a diamond mine owner's daughter, while recording in South Africa. Backing vocals are from the South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Kinky Boots was recorded by Patrick McNee and Honor Blackman (stars The Avengers) and the song was commissioned by Ned Sherrin for BBC’s That was the week that was. Despite a flurry of interest the single did not chart but when it was released 27 years later it peaked at Number Five in 1990.

David “Diamond Dave” Lee Roth (lead singer of Van Halen) had a minor Canadian hit with "Sensible Shoes" 1991.

Walking in my Shoes by Depeche Mode was released in 1993 and became a Top 20 hit in the UK. There are two versions (mixes) of the song.

The Red Shoes was written and recorded by Kate Bush in 1994 and reached Number 21in the UK charts. The song is about a girl who puts on a pair of enchanted ballet slippers and can't stop dancing until she breaks the spell.

Jimmy Nail had a hit single with Crocodile Shoes in 1994. The song was a theme tune for a drama with the same name starring Jimmy Nail.

Air Force Ones was written and performed by Nelly and became a hit in 2002. The song is about Nelly and the St. Lunatics buying Nike Air Force Ones.

Fuck Me Pumps was released in 2003 by Amy Winehouse. The song was written by Winehouse and Salaam Remi, and it reached the top 100 in the UK Singles Chart. The lyrics relate to stereotypical "gold-digging" girls. The term "fuck-me pumps" is a slang expression for sexy women's shoes, particularly those featuring bare heels.

Dido’s Sand in my shoes (2004) scored high in the charts around the world.

You Are The Generation That Bought More Shoes And You Get What You Deserve by Johnny Boy reached #50 in the UK Singles Chart in 2004.

Spanish band, El Canto del Loco (The Song of the Madman) or ECDL had a hit with 'Zapatillas' (Sneakers) in 2005.

Australian fusion band The Cat Empire released Two Shoes in 2005. The album of the same name was recorded in Havana, Cuba and went straight to number on the Australian album charts. The single peaked at #49 in the Australian singles chart.

Shoes - Shania Twain’s Shoes (2005) was written and recorded for the ABC television program Desperate Housewives. The song did fairly well on the charts considering there was no promotion by the label or the singer.

Franz Ferdinand took Eleanor put your Boots into the top thirty singles chart in 2006.

‘New Shoes’ was released by Paolo Nutini in 2007 and made the UK and US Singles Charts. The song was used for a 2007 international ad campaign by Puma AG.
　

Leprechaun Watch

Its that time of year again - St Patrick's Day so keep your eyes peeled for the Little People at irelandeye.com


Take a look: 8 seconds into the video - a leprechaun streaks past the webcam.

Barefoots: The heel-less wonders

When Galahad Clark (part of the Clark Shoes dynasty) took over a floundering men's shoe company in Holland called Terra Plana there was little interest in eco-friendly footwear. Now things are quite different. Clarke relocated the company to London and began a partnership with a podiatrist to design a foot shaped shoe that would leave the foot unrestricted. In 2005, the Terra Plana's VivoBarefoot line was launched with an ultra-thin soled shoe, made from abrasion-resistant thermoplastic urethane (TPU). The ‘barefoot revolution’ had arrived and now Clarke has added children's footwear to the line and the shoes are selling well across the globe. The new VivoBarefoot's running shoe, the Evo, (short for evolution) is hoped to become the flagship and weigh 480g (17 oz.) a pair. According to the manufacturer a sucked-in arch area grabs the underfoot "like a second skin" for support; and the lightweight TPU-and-mesh upper allows efficient exchange of gas (breathability) to keep busy feet cool.

Shiny style: Cool Website

Cool blog Shiny style

Shoe rituals and marriage ceremony

The Evil Eye (bad luck) is something people have always wanted to avoid. Both now and in the past folks had a myriad of ways not to tempt providence especially when setting out on a journey, be it over land or in life (as in marriage). Many superstitions and rituals involve shoes and no one is quite clear why. Shoes, good luck, and marriage have long been connected and this dates back to antiquity.

In pagan times (pre-Christian) people relied on ritual and lucky talisman to bring good fortune. The coming of modern religions like Christianity saw massive inclusion of pagan ritual into new religious ceremonies which was a deliberate attempt to encourage people to become part of the new religion. The amalgam of the secular (worldly) and religious beliefs is now almost impossible to separate. Bridal wear of today does however contain remnants of ritual and superstitions although most people are unaware of their meaning. The more common amulets (ornaments) and traditional accents of the bride’s ensemble are known to represent merriment, virginity and abundance. Traditionally brides wore a chivalrous garter (for safety), an heirloom (usually a brooch) meaning innocence, and silver buckles on her shoes (for prosperity). These were lucky talisman to ward off evil spirits.

An old custom from the North of England was for the groom’s men to wait until after the ceremony before rushing the bride at the alter. The intention was to see who could remove her stockings as a prize. In the ensuing panic which followed the bride was frequently knocked over and trampled on. For a bride to stumble at the alter was from Roman Times taken as a very bad omen not to mention the humiliation of the bride being up-ended. So the custom of ‘flinging the stocking’ was introduced as a safety measure and eventually when chivalrous garters were worn, ‘tossing the garter’ to the groom’s men at the end of the ceremony replaced it.
In many countries the married couple were accompanied to the bridal suite by the whole family. This would often involve watching the young couple undress. In Russia part of the formality of going to bed for the first time as husband and wife was the very intimate act of removing each other's stockings. This act was thought to represent a couple sexual commitment to each other. Another variation on this custom was 'flinging the stocking' which took place after the wedding couple were escorted to the wedding chamber by their guests. In Finland the groom could not enter the bedroom of his bride until he gave his new mother-in-law a pair of shoes. The cost of shoes in the middle ages was considerable so it may not have been such a strange custom. In the marriage ceremony of the ancient Inca Indians of Peru however the couple was considered officially wed only when they exchanged sandals. In China the bride’s red shoes were tossed from the roof to ensure happiness for the bridal couple.

Wives were considered chattels (personal property) and in many cultures a marriage was a business deal no different to the commercial exchange of goods. In Biblical Times the change of ownership was confirmed by the removal of a shoe (Ruth 4:7). This may account for the French medieval custom for the bride’s father to give their daughter’s shoe to the groom to symbolise the exchange of chattels and passing the responsibility for her well being to his son-in-law. Another French custom was for the groom to sit with his shoe over his bride’s foot during the wedding ceremony. A variation of this the groom used the bride’s shoe to tap her head and demonstrate he was master. In 16th century France, newly weds were obliged to stand outside the church in the nude while the groom kissed her big toe of her left foot. Each partner then gave the other the sign of the cross with their heels, then with their hands.

In Northern Italy an old custom was to have everyone try on the bride’s shoe, just like Cinderella and in Hungary the groom drank a toast to his bride out of her wedding slipper. In Wales the bride and groom were given a pair of shoes (often clogs) joined together by a chain and cut from a single block of wood. The shoes contained two cavities, one with a lump of sugar and the other a piece of coal. This was to ensure the couple would never lack sustenance and warmth in their union.

For most the connection between footwear, luck and marriage still continues with the miniature silver shoe on the wedding cake and the tying of a boot or shoe to the back of the vehicle in which the newly weds begin their honey moon. Throwing shoes at someone going on a journey was a common good luck custom and it is thought tying shoes to the bridal car is a form of this divination. So too is throwing confetti especially when they are in the form of good luck charms such as an old boot.
The Romans believed evil spirits gathered at doorways and hence the bride had to be carried across the threshold. A common belief was for the bride should never go barefoot on her wedding night otherwise she may be tickled with misfortune.

Excerpt from the Afternoons with Jenny Seeton Cutin FM 101, Perth Western Australia, Friday 03/12/2010.

Falls Prevention: The iShoe

Lieberman-Aiden is a student at (Massachuusetts Institute of Tecnology (MIT) and has invented a prototype high-tech shoe insole (the iShoe) to help older people manage their balance. Using digital sensors and Bluetooth technology the "iShoe" sneaker insoles track a person's balance patterns. The battery-powered footbeds transmit data about a person's walking and standing stability to computers for analysis. Inspiration for the iShoe came after the inventor lost his grandmother after a fall. Keen to prevent falls in others while working at NASA, he discovered a project where scientists were trying to analyze astronaut balance in low-gravity environments. He recognised how a similar process to diagnose balance could be used in falls prevention. Falls are often caused by shifts in body mass and the iShoe generates data including how much a person shifts their body mass while standing. Well-balanced person shift weight every 40 seconds or so whereas people with potentially dangerous balance problems constantly shift their weight. Lieberman-Aiden was recently awarded the Lemelson-MIT Collegiate Student Prize of $30,000 US prize in innovation from MIT. The invention is still in the research-and-development phase, but the inventor is hopeful it will become a consumer product within a few years.

Beck's changes his boots mid game

AC Milan’s David Beckham (on loan from LA Galaxy ) played against his old team, Manchester United in the first leg of the last 16 UEFA Champions League play-off. The former England captain took the unusual step (excuse the pun) of wearing two pairs of boots during the game. He started with his signature, colourway Predator_X’s in the first half, then swaped them for his older all-white Predator PowerSwerves at half time. This is a very unusual event in a game ridden with superstition and the deliberate action might serously suggest Beckham was less than comfortable in his new model shoes. AC Milan lost the game a humiliating 4 nil.

Sanuk: When is a sandal not at shoe?

The latest foot fashion trend for men is Sanuk (pronounced Sah-Nook) sandals which are made like shoes but according to the marketing campaign, "It's not a shoe, it's a sandal." Sanuk thongs incorporate Power Balance TM which allows free movement of the feet. The Sanuk range has mass appeal and is favoured by celebs like Anthony Kiedis, Brad Pitt, Foo Fighters and Rage Against the Machine.

NIKEiD: Back look appeal

NIKEiD ia a go-to Internet portal launched in 1999 with software which allows customers to build their own shoe. One of the most popular features to emerge is customising shoes to include nicknames and messages on the heel.

Posh's Bunions work wonders for women's feet

Apparently Victoria Beckham’s bunions sparked a rush for comfortable footwear as UK women shun high heels. Sales of flat shoes and boots rose 40% last year as girls feared unsightly bunions. Even ‘Posh’ discarded her heels for more comfortable flaties

Mercurial Superfly Vapor II: Is it safe?

Nike’s Mercurial Superfly Vapor II football boots include new model technology and according to the manufacturer could minimize injury caused by moving from hard to soft ground. New studs with "Adaptive Traction Technology" act as normal studs on hard ground, but have internal pegs that can extend by up to 3mm in soft ground. The sole contains a flexible carbon fibre plate which remains static on hard surfaces so the studs keep their original shape. On soft ground the plate flexes which pushes out cores of the studs. As the mechanism works a transparent coating on the outside of the sole stretches and contracts allowing the pegs the space to extend and return. The coating also keeps rain, mud, and grass away from the mechanism. The boots with adjustable studs potentially help players negociate different pitch and weather conditions. Traditionally clubs had ‘bootmen,’ usually retired players, who advised teams on the best studs for prevailing conditions. Now the new studs on the Mercurial Superfly Vapor II offer greater flexibility but it is yet to be seen if the number of ankle and foot injuries reduce. The boots, were launched recently by Cristiano Ronaldo.

South Korea: Watch out there is a shoe thief about!

Losing shoes, either to thieves or to drunken people who mistake others’ shoes for their own, has become a common problem in South Korea. Many restaurants now have shoe lockers for customers or hire 'shoe arrangers' to watch over customers’ shoes. Some places hand out black plastic bags so patrons can keep their footwear with them while dining.

Ballet & Bubbles: Petaluma City Ballet Pointe Shoe Art Show

Recently a group of 20 local Californian artists took on the challenge to turn 10 pairs of ballet pointe shoes into works of art. The results are on display at an exhibition hosted by Petaluma City Ballet and Petaluma Arts Association. The city ballet company will have a gala show called “Ballet & Bubbles” next month at the Spreckels Performing Arts Center.

Ever wondered what's inside the little sachet?

Dimethylfumate (DMF) is commonly used preservative to prevent the growth of mold in the transport of furniture, clothing and shoes. Packed in little sachets these are placed within soft furniture, clothing, and shoes. Experts now believe if the sachets are damaged the preservative can seep through fabric and eventually make direct skin contact. DMF is an allergen and known cause of severe dermatitis in some people. In the US and elsewhere, doctors and dermatologists are becoming alerted to increasing reports of rashes which are thought to be due to DMF contact.

A brief history of the Platform Shoe

Platform shoes make an appearance from time to time on the catwalk. Of late these have become higher as ‘the flamingo look’ prevails. Taller platforms and higher heels catch the imagination of the costumiers who enjoy showing their wears on leggy lovelies. Of course there are some tumbles but that only goes to highlight how delicate these fashion flowers really are. Does it put women off wearing them? Definitely not!

Our fascination with platform shoes extends way back, and well before disco lights and Abba. They first made their appearance in antiquity and were worn in the public baths of Asia and the Middle East. More like a platform sandal the shoes were carved from wood with intricate inlays of shell and ivory. The platforms had a practical purpose to raise the feet above the wet floors but also were worn for decoration by upper class men and women. The shoes had a toe tag which fitted neatly between the big toe and its partner. Walking gave an audible ‘clap clap’ sound and they were referred to as ‘KabKabs.’ The same reason thongs are also known as flip flops (thongs). In ancient Greece, actors(male) wore platform sandals on stage to project their magnificence. Fans swooned as they crossed the stage and it is understood sent young females into sexual ecstasy.

By this time in Mediterranean Society sex workers wore ‘KabsKabs,’ quite literally so they could ‘be seen and heard’ and a practical way to differential themselves from ‘respectable’ women who went barefoot.

Much later in the rich Italian cities (of Florence and Venice) of the Middle Ages,trade was everything and the wives of rich merchants showed their statuses by wearing platform shoes to give them height suffice they needed more expensive clothing to cover themselves. The platform or chopine got higher and higher until they were 24” off the ground. Eat your heart out ,VivianWestwood!

The chopine fashion was
popular in Italy and Spain but did appear briefly in Shakespearean England and Queen Elizabeth I was known to wear 1” platforms. Contrary to popular belief chopines were not a practical answer to walking through the mucky streets (as ‘clap claps had been). The reason being women of a certain status never walked when a sedan chair was so much more convenient. Chopines also rendered the wearer unable to walk unaided so the real sign of affluence then was to have two servants (one on either side), to assist with walking. In polite society one servant was barely acceptable and if you were really on the breadline, then a gold top walking stick might see you through.

Eventually laws(sumptuary laws)were passed which governed the height of the platforms. This was driven by rich merchants determined to stop their wives and lovers from wearing more and more expensive clothing. Today that would be like ‘capping’ the credit card. Women still wore them of course but by this time the style was more associated with “ depraved and dissolute women”. Once it was pointed out by an eager medical fraternity falls in pregnant women corresponded to wearing chopines this inevitably let the shoe to be outlawed.

Laws were passed which granted uncontested divorces to any man found duped by their bride if it was revealed she had secretly worn platform shoes during their courtship.

Some historians believe the fashion for high heeled shoes came from a modification of the outlawed chopine. Cobblers carved out the forefoot section of the platform leaving an elevated heel which was more stable and easier to walk in. Platforms made a brief reappearance during the 30s and 40s with possibly the most famous being the Ferragamo cork platforms. Platform shoes became hip for men and women much later in the late 60s and early 70s with the styles of glam rock and disco. The unisex style became a firm fixture with men and women. Platforms became a firm favourite of drag sartorial worn by female impersonators and cross dressers until it once again remerged into the fashion arena.

Excerpt from the Afternoons with Jenny Seeton Cutin FM 101, Perth Western Australia, Friday 03/05/2010.

Li Ning: Doing rather well over there

Li-Ning, the major sports brand in China has recently opened its first US retail showroom in the Pearl District of Portland, Oregon. In attendance was Baron Davis (Los Angeles Clippers)who wears the BD Doom shoe, designed by Li-Ning. In partnership with Champs Sports, Li-Ning plan to introduce footwear and apparel in various malls across the west coast of the US.

The Towering World of Jimmy Choo: A Glamorous Story of Power, Profits, and the Pursuit of the Perfect Shoe

Goldstein Crowe L.& de Rosen S.M.. The Towering World of Jimmy Choo: A Glamorous Story of Power, Profits, and the Pursuit of the Perfect Shoe. Bloomsbury: Macmillan. 228p.

ISBN 978-1-59691-391-2.

A short history of the creation and marketing of possibly the best known fashion brand of footwear. The authors also detail the relationship between shoe designer Jimmy Choo and society girl Tamara Mellon.

Hot cross buns, the Easter bunny and Easter Eggs

The reason we associate Easter with east or sunrise is because the name came from Eostre the Anglo-Saxon goddess of dawn. Easter was the celebration of Spring and the beginning of the growing season. Followers of Eostre sacrificed oxen in her honour and baked buns with horns decorating the top. Small loaves on leavened bread scored with a cross were known to be found in ancient Egyptian tombs. The cross appears to have had no symbolic significance, or at least if it did, it has been lost in time. It was also recorded the time of Easter in ancient Rome coincided with a festival to the worship of Priapus. During this festival people ate phallus shaped bread but the early Christians felt symbolism more associated with Christ would be better and the phallus was replaced with the Cross. This is thought to be a credible origin of today’s pastries. No one can be sure of the origin of the word bun but many believe it comes from the Old French word ‘bugne’, meaning, and “a swelling caused by a blow” The same origins for the word bunion. The word bun made its appearance in the English language about 1370. Hot cross buns were known in the 18th century and referred to in Poor Robin’s Almanac for 1733. The first recorded mention was a street cry common to bakers.

The cry became children’s rhyme
“Hot cross-buns! Hot cross buns!
One a penny, two a penny, hot cross-buns!
If you have no daughters,
Pray give them to your sons!
One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns!

One a penny, two a penny would imply there were two types of bun on sale.

To Pagans the rabbit and hares were symbols of life and fertility because there was a plentiful source of food. During the spring months both became a focal reminder of procreation. By the 1600s the rabbit had become more associated with Easter festivities and was a custom known and practiced in Germany. Until the 18th century the term ‘cony’ (Pronounced cunny) was used to describe adult rabbits, and rabbit was the preferred name for young rabbits. “Cunny” was an Old English colloquialism for female genitalia and so cunny had to become bunny, hence the Easter Bunny. The first edible Easter Bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s and were made of pastry and sugar. The Easter Bunny was introduced to America in the 1700s by the German settlers to Pennsylvania Dutch country. The Easter Bunny or Osterhase (pronounced in the dialect of the region Oschter Haws) was a major figure in the calendar of children and his arrival on the day before Easter would equate to the arrival of Christkindl (Kris Kindle) on Christmas Eve. Many of the old myths were described in the writings of fairy tails which bcame very popular in the 19th century. In legend, the Easter Bunny brought baskets full of coloured eggs to the homes of good children on the night before Easter. The Easter Bunny would either put the baskets in a designated place or hide them somewhere in the house for the children to find when they wake up in the morning. As a variation children started to build nest for the magical birds that laid the eggs. The children used their hats and bonnets and the nest were usually in out of the way places on the farm. Fearing the loss of expensive clothing the frugal parents sought out the nests and filled them with coloured eggs. Somehow the roles were reversed and parents hid the eggs so as the children would take pleasure in finding them. As the custom spread throughout the 18th century the nests became Easter Baskets. There does not appear to be any attempt to infer the rabbits laid the eggs but the symbolic combination of eggs for fertility; and rabbits for procreation were enough. No one can be sure why the eggs had to be coloured but certain colours such as red and green were symbolic of life and growth respectively. Eggs were not eaten during Lent (the fast kept by devotees prior to Easter) so it may be eating brightly coloured eggs may have had some celebratory significance to Catholics. It has also been suggested endulging in egg eating throughout Lent may have been a Protestant preoccupation.

Ruggedly sexy walking boots: The next lust have

"Woop-de-do" say the shoe police, because walking boots have inspired the next must-have footwear for the coming autumn/winter. Styled in suede, canvas and leather the key feature to the new style is corrugated, rubber soles. Dubbed ‘ruggedly sexy’ by Michael Kors they were a fixture of London Fashion Week. Models walked in tough-chic, walking-style boots, decorated with sheepskin, at Pringle, and in slightly more sophisticated, multi-buckled styles, at Burberry Prorsum. The latest “lust haves” are featured at the Milan Fashion Week and were seen in multi-colours, with technical lace-up details and ridged, rubber soles. Italian shoe company Tod’s, featured ruggedly sexy shoes in their autumn/winter collection. The flat shoe-boot styles have padded anklets, metal eyelets for secure fit, and ridged, rubber soles which make them ideal for walking. Well almost, because the range also comes in four-inch, stack-heeled, platform-rubber variations in metallic leather and suede.

And did those feet: Get bigger

According to scientists human brains have shrunk by about 10% in the past 5,000 years. Average shoe sizes have grown four sizes for men and women since 1900. Americans, who were among the world's tallest people in 1900, have leveled off in the past 25 years (averaging 5-foot-10 for men and 5-foot-4 for women). Europeans have continued growing with Dutch men now averaging over 6-feet tall. The Japanese, among the world's shortest people in 1950, have grown nearly 5 inches, on average, since then, to 5-foot-7 for men.

Amy Winehouse collects shoes

Apparently diva Amy Winehouse spent £10,000 on shoes in one afternoon. The oft quoted ‘troubled singer’ has again alarmed her friends and family with continued obsessive compulsion behaviours. Those close to the singer fear she may have developed a shopping addiction. In her luxury home Ms Winehouse has two rooms full of un-opened, unworn shoes,

New Balance open second store in China

New Balance has announced the opening of its first concept experience store in Shanghai. The company has already opened a store in the Qianmen district in Beijing and there are plans to open others in major Chinese cities in the near future. The latest store is located on the first floor of Yongxin Department Store in Shaghai and carries the full line of New Balance's products including running shoes, clothes, accessories, and various sports equipment. New Balance is USA-based footwear brand from Boston.

Record at boot auction

Sir Stanley Matthews’ boots sold for £38,400 ($64,899 A) at a sporting memorabilia auction. The boots were expected to fetch no more than £8,000 ($1352 A) at Bonhams in Chester .

Ambush marketing: A lesson to us all

Large global events like the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup provide superlative marketing opportunities for the official sponsors but a recent study has shown aggressive ambush marketers can also benefit others, big time. Dubbed the “Li Ning effect,” a recent Simon Fraser University (SFU) Business study entitled, Event sponsorship and ambush marketing: Lessons from the Beijing Olympics, to be published in the March issue of Business Horizons, has shown the official sponsors of the 2008 Bejing Olympics lost as customers to the "Li Ning Company because consumers incorrectly identified the Chinese athletes company as an official Olympics Games sponsor despite the millions spent by Adidas to secure the sponsorship.