foot talk

Youngcare and Thong Day

2012-01-29T11:02:00.000+08:00

There are 6,500 young Australians with full-time care needs currently living in aged care and further 700,000 are being cared for at home by family and friends.Youngcare exists to drive change to create real choice in care and accommodation options for young Australians with full-time care needs. To promote the works of Youngcare’s the organisation host a national awareness day called Thong Day (1st October). Thongs represent youth, freedom and fun, all things that young Australians have the right to experience. Youngcare’s national Thong Day raises money to fund more appropriate care and accommodation options for young Australians with round-the-clock care needs.

Uggs the new bootlegs

2012-01-28T15:11:00.002+08:00

Admistrators at Pottsdam Middle School in Pottsdam, Pa. have banned pupils from wearing ugg boots to school. Apparently authorities were alarmed at the number of girls hiding mobile phones in their uggs. The school has a strict policy on cell phones prohibiting their use during class hours. Students were using the phones for texting and posting on Facebook. Students are now only allowed to their wear winter boots to school but then must change out of them into sneakers or another shoes that lace at the ankle and cannot conceal a cell phone. Most parents were incredulous that the school thought that banning boots would solve the problem of sneaking cell phones. In day of old sailors turned their long (thigh length) boots over their knees and used the concealed panel to hide contraband rum (bootlegs).

Indonesian Flip Flop Protest

2012-01-28T15:03:00.000+08:00

According to the Bali Advertiser, Indonesians have a new symbol for their growing frustration at uneven justice in the country. Thongs, cheap , worn out flip flops are being dropped in their 1000s at local police stations to express dissatisfaction and outrage at the arrest and trial of a 15 year old boy for lifting a pair of white sandals from outside a house used by police in northern Indonesia. The boy lifted the discarded shoes from a bin on his way home from school. Later he was interrogated and badly beaten by three policemen with the threat of five years behind bars. Thousands have joined in the sandal protest on Facebook and Twitter. Andreas Harsono of Human Rights Watch and local artist, Ayu Laksmi have joined their voice in protest.

The dangers of diabetes

2012-01-28T11:26:00.000+08:00

Gingerella has her shoe back

2012-01-28T07:03:00.000+08:00

Aboriginal-rights protesters have now returned the shoe belonging to Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. The Melbourne-based makers of the now-famous "Gingerella"(Midas)are hoping to cash in on the moment with plans to release version of the shoe dubbed the "Julia."

Meanwhile, the fallout from the fracas has led to the resignation of one of Gillard’s press secretaries, Tony Hodges. He acknowledged tipping off protesters that Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was going to be at the Canberra restaurant with the prime minister at an award ceremony to mark Australia Day.

The Aboriginal Tent Embassy is a center point of protests against Australia Day, which marks the arrival of the first fleet of British colonists in Sydney on Jan. 26, 1788. Many Aborigines call it Invasion Day because the land was settled without a treaty with the traditional owners.

Michael Jackson is honoured

2012-01-27T19:21:00.001+08:00

The three children of Michael Jackson (Prince, 14; Paris, 13; and Blanket, 9) recently sank their famous father's shoes and a sequined glove into the cement outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood. Other celebrities who appeared at the event included Justin Bieber, Chris Tucker, Smokey Robinson, Quincy Jones and members of the cast of "Glee."

The event also promoted the "Michael Jackson - The Immortal World Tour," a Cirque du Soleil show at the Staples Center.

Gillard's shoe a trophy

2012-01-27T19:19:00.000+08:00

Austrlaia’s PM, Julia Gillard lost her shoe in ugly scenes outside a Canberra restaurant yesterday. The Prime Minister rode the gauntlet through a group of Aboriginal rights protesters, from the nearby Aboriginal tent embassy. They trapped Ms Gillard and Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott the Lobby restaurant before police arrived to clear a passage for the pair. Amid chaotic scenes, Ms Gillard lost her navy blue suede wedge shoe as she slipped during the mayhem, with a security official catching her. Activist Pat Eatock now holds the shoe as a trophy. Aboriginal protesters did plan to return the lost shoe but now have now decided to sell it on eBay. The protesters were inflamed earlier by alledged inflammatory comments made by Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott

Australia Day and the Havaianas 2012 Australia Day Thong Challenge.

2012-01-26T08:01:00.000+08:00

It is Australia Day (26th January) and all over the iconic beaches of the big brown land, masses will gather for The Havaianas 2012 Australia Day Thong Challenge. The competition is to set a world record for the longest line of giant inflatable Havaianas and competition between states is fearce. Bondi took out the challenge in 2011 setting a new world record attempt of 2068 people so the gaunlet is down for other states to match the feat (sorry). Participants unbale to get to the beach can for the first time have the opportunity to have your own Havaianas 2012 Australia Day Thong Challenge in your own backyard. As part of the registration, participants receive a Giant Inflatable Havaianas Thong (valued at AUD49.95). Beer gut, Bonds singlets, stubbies (shorts) and thongs (made in China) are unmistakable marks of the true-blue male Ocker. POHMS (Prisonersa of her Majesty) may have superior underwear via Marks and Spencer but I doubt whether they have a singlet to beat a Bondy. Whether we like it or not the humble thong, single or double plugger, is very much part of the Australian way of life for many and of course has recently enjoyed a fashion fling in the northern hemisphere. Still despite this not many citizens can boast of a thong throwing contest, but Australians can. Two common events held on Australia Day is thong or gum boot throwing competitions where participants try their luck. In these events technique is everything and through the years distances have increased.

Zola Budd barefoot runner in trainers?

2012-01-24T17:54:00.000+08:00

In 1984, 17 year old Zola Budd grabbed the headlines as the barefoot champion who broke the women’s 5 000m world record. She went on to break her own record twice, running barefoot. She was also twice the winner at the World Cross Country Championship in the UK and at the Los Angeles Olympics (1984) had the controversial collision with Mary Decker-Slaney (US) in the women’s 3000m final. Ironically the barefoot champion now promotes running shoes, albeit according to Budd, Newton running shoes, simulate barefoot running. At 45 years old, Budd is still a strong athlete and blisteringly fast runner and although she still likes to run barefoot she trains in trainers.

Streethouse Design a Shoe Competition: and the winner is?

2012-01-22T17:07:00.000+08:00

The Streethouse Design a Shoe Competition is a shoe design competition for Namibians, sponsored by Streethouse Clothing and Student Lounge (Univ of Namibia). It was launched early last year and aimed at providing a platform for Namibian designers and the youth to express their talents within the clothing industry. The competition has managed to draw in more than a thousand entries from different backgrounds across Namibia. 20 finalists each received N$1000. The final 6 received N$2000 each and a chance to win the Grand Prize. All finalists also received a pair of their signature sneaker. The sneakers are being sold for N$599 and are available in Streethouse stores. The overall winner will receive N$50 000 plus 15% of sales of his/her sneakers, with the other 5 finalists receiving only the 15% commission on their sneaker sales.

"Walk in My Shoes" : Empathy training for children

2012-01-22T12:20:00.000+08:00

Hillside Elementary School hopes their "Walk in My Shoes" program will encourage their students to support and empathize with peers who have learning challenges. "Walk in My Shoes, “ is an experiential learning program that allows mainstream kids to feel what it's like to have sensory challenge, such as like movement disabilities, dyslexia, Asperger's Syndrome and Attention Deficit Disorder. The program is normally recommended as a one-day break from the regular schedule but the special education team at Hillside have stretched it out to last a full month. The kids were first presented with an obstacle course to navigate which they did then they had to do it again with big clown shoes on. The idea of the exercise was to show what it's like to try to walk across a balance beam, for example, when you struggle with keeping your balance. Week one focused on sensory challenges, week two, on reading; week three, making friends and social skills and the final week revolves around speech and language. The week if special tasks is followed by a debriefing session each Friday.

Paul Simon Diamonds on the soles of her shoes

2012-01-09T18:19:00.001+08:00

George “Shoeman” Hutchings wants your soles

2012-01-09T18:06:00.000+08:00

Kathy Fantasia has a goal is to collect at least 20,000 pairs of old shoes for the International Shoeman Water Project. Fantasia started collecteing for her shoe drive shoe only a few months ago and has collected 3,000 pairs. The International Shoeman Water Project works to raise money from the sale of the shoes to fund drinking water projects in countries such as Kenya, Haiti, India and South America.. The program was founded by George “Shoeman” Hutchings of Missouri in the late 90s and the charity picks up donated used and new shoes year-round from businesses, churches, schools, special events and shoe drives. These are then exported to retailers in the developing world. The resale of shoes provides jobs and affordable footwear and the funds generated provides well drilling rigs, water purification systems, and hand pump repair micro businesses bringing clean, fresh water to needy communities. Rotary clubs from Porterville and Sunrise as well as Sequoia Middle School students have recently joined Kathy Fantasia to collect more shoes.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge: Piggy back marketing: Are we amused?

2012-01-08T07:40:00.001+08:00

Kim Kardashian has sent best birthday wishes to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (ie Kate nee Middleton) not with a traditional card but with a shoe advertisement disguised as a video birthday wish. Kim is seen holding a black platform pump, called The Duchess (in honor of Kate), which is available for purchase at ShoeDazzleUK. The black heeled shoe has a quilted design in the style worn by the young Duchess. Using members of the Royal Family to sell product is generally frowned upon and the cheeky marketing ploy may not be such a good idea if it offends Buckingham Palace.

"Shoe" protesters urge German President to quit

2012-01-08T07:22:00.000+08:00

Do it yourself pedicure

2012-01-07T14:47:00.001+08:00

As a career podiatrist I must have cut millions of toe nails with never a thought what I would do when I became too old to tend to my own feet. The last thing on my mind was to seek the professional attention of others but through length of days that time has almost come and all the more important because I am a Type II Diabetic. Despite owning purpose made stainless steel toenail nippers I find trying to get to and cut the small toes nails in particular, challenging. Expanding waistline and compromised eyesight leaves me breathless and frustrated every time. My long ragged toenails are not a pretty sight and one which my better half is at pains to remind me not to be seen barefoot in public. Like the dentist with halitosis my imperfect nail pedicure in my Hell on Earth. Well all that has changed since I discovered Chrome Plated Straight Blades with catcher. The ergonomic handle has non slip grip which makes it easy to use and the blade edges are designed to ensure a clean, even cut. The nail clippers are heavy duty, stronger and specially designed to safely catch the nail clippings which make for a quick and mess-free operation. The added advantage with this clipper is it meets the current airline security requirements so it can be carried in hand luggage. I can now contiue safely to tend to my own pedicure needs for the forseeable future and confidently stride out barefoot in the knoweldge I have properly cut toe nails as an example to all.

Crocs could be a good stock tip for 2012

2012-01-07T07:21:00.002+08:00

The shares of Crocs took a tumble at the end of last year. Crocswas once the darling cult stock but the company hit a wall in 2008 after the fad element of its footwear reached a peak. After reshufflibg the company began to reclaim some of its previous success but shares again plunged in October 2011 after it lowered its forecasts. Pundits are being advised Crocs could redemm themself in 2012 and may be the company to invest in.

Footsteps Sports Club

2012-01-07T07:07:00.001+08:00

Footsteps Sports Club Inc sponsors youth in sports activities, with a strong emphasis on active anti-drug, anti-tobacco, and anti-gang involvement. The focus of the organisation is to divert high-risk youth from negative street activities to avenues of creative expression which will have a major impact on their lives. Dr. Footsie also supports foot care programs geared toward an older audience concerned with diabetes and other concerns of aging.

As part of their fund-raising needs and to provide educators and organizations with give-away and award items associated with common goals, Dr. Footsie's characters are available on a wide selection of items.

PapaHugs nominated for a Grammy

2012-01-05T19:36:00.002+08:00

David Sharpe (aka PapaHugs)’s album, "Are We There Yet?," has been nominated for Best Children's Album at the 54th annual Grammy Awards next month. Grandfather Sharpe writes and performs children's music and this is his third album. Apart from being a very successful performer Dr Sharpe is a podiatrist in the Bay Area of San Jose.

Ken Dodd Footprints

2012-01-02T08:13:00.002+08:00

God Save My Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

2012-01-01T18:31:00.000+08:00

Shoe thrower in mortal peril

2012-01-01T11:12:00.002+08:00

Rashid Shahbandi was arrested last month for throwing his shoe at Iranian president Manmoud Ahmadinejad during a speech. He has been in custody since the incident and there is a very strong possibility that he may receive the death penalty for his actions. Shahbandi, a textile worker who has recently lost his job and is baring the high financial burden of his son’s medical bills, became enraged when he heard Ahmadinejad boast about the great achievements of the government. Shahbandi is currently in custody and has already been tortured for the actions, and it is unclear whether he will ever have a trial.

Celebrity Shoe Design Program for Charity.

2012-01-01T08:52:00.000+08:00

Denise Richards has combined acting with shoe designer to create a pair of pumps to raise money for charity. Denise joins Kristen Bell, Kristin Chenoweth, Jenny McCarthy and former Spice Girls, Melanie Brown to team up with ShoeDazzle designers as part of the Celebrity Shoe Design Program for Charity. The proceeds all go to the Kidney Cancer Association (KCA). Richards has called her shoe Eloise after her baby daughter. The footwear will be available from 16 January.

The origins of Hogmanay and first footing

2011-12-31T20:20:00.001+08:00

Although the well known Scottish tradition of Hogmanay (originally a type of three cornered, biscuit) is celebrated on New Year's Eve, the Celtic New Year was on the 1st November and was called Samhain. Samhain was the great gathering of the clans and if you watched The Highlander film or TV series you will of heard of the Great Gathering. Well there was such an event and it took place in the mid winter. Hogmanay or Samhain was celebrated on three levels. It was a time of plenty as the live stock were returned from the hills before the severe winter ahead; it was a time of great kinship, as the hill dwellers came to the gathering; and Samhain was the time of year when the darkness of night prevailed over the lightness of the day. According to Celtic myth Lugh, the Sun God was defeated by his dark side and become the Lord of Misrule. Good folk needed the comfort of their own kind and protection from the evil forces of the dark. Much of the symbolism of Samhain can still be found between today's Halloween and Hogmanay. In pre-Christian times, Samhain was an unreal time, when one year turned into another. A twilight zone where the spirits of the dead and those not yet born, walked freely among the living. Even with the introduction of Christianity, the occult association has never been lost, e.g. Halloween or the beginning of the Festival of the Dead and Hogmanay , the end as beginning of the New Year. Many cultures believed the first fit brought luck and the Celtic custom of "first footing" is European in origin and not exclusive to Scotland. The tradition demands the first person to pass the threshold of the house in the New Year must be a sonsy (trustworthy), stranger of dark complexion, carrying a cake called a black bun. This is a rich current bun, and the stranger must also bring a drink called a "wassail" or hot toddy. The cake and drink represent food and sustenance for the coming year. In some parts the First Foot will bring a piece of coal for the fire which symbolized good luck and prosperity for the coming year. To be the perfect first foot you need high arched feet (where water can run freely under the feet). Flat feet at Christmas and New Year are considered very unlucky. In the Isle of Man, an inhabited island between Ireland and England, the perfect first footer is a dark haired man of good appearance with insteps high enough to allow a mouse to run through. It is very unlucky to have a person with fair complexion (or buddy) first foot the home. First footing is still practiced in Scotland and Ireland and other Celtic cultures. After hearing of the bells in the open air (usually the town square) friends visit each other’s homes sharing goodwill and treating themselves to intoxicating liquor. This may go on all night and well into the following day. Some folk were so superstitious they would not cross the threshold of their home until they have been first fitted. Villagers and town’s folk would systematically first foot all the inhabitants so the community was ready to meet the New Year, ahead. Families gather on Ner’day (New Year‘s Day) and feast like the traditional Christmas Day. This represents the modern “gathering of the clans.” Hogmanay is not celebrated as much in the cities now but still remains a strong tradition in rural communities. Ironically the song Auld Land Syne, a traditional air given lyrics by Scottish Poet Robert Burns was not traditionally sand at Hogmanay until the 20th century after it was played at a New Year celebration in New York. The song and sentiment expressed were perfect and have been associated ever since.

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
And here's a hand, my trusty friend
And gie's a hand o' thine
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Slangevar and a Happy 2012 to one and all.

Zumba in Bloch Dance Fitness sneakers

2011-12-31T09:05:00.001+08:00

New fitness shoes from Bloch are certainly eye catching. Bloch has been making dance shoes for ballet, jazz, tap and ballroom since 1932 and more recently segued into contemporary footwear including pumps, oxfords and feminine ballet flats. Their latest endeavor is a collection of dance fitness sneakers that are lightweight and wearable for everyone. The shoes are super flexible and provide support, with a multi-layered sole for bounce and shock absorption. The new shoes will be available this February in an attractive array of candy hues with pop color accents like lemon yellow, bright purple and fuchsia.

Kelly Brook takes care of her pair.

2011-12-31T08:39:00.000+08:00

Actress, Kelly Brook was at the Capri Hollywood International Film Festival in Italy recently. She took to the red carpet wearing high heels and posed for the paparazzi with his boyfriend Thom Evans. Then and soon as she thought she was out of the publc gaze Ms Kelly made a quick change whipped out a pair of trusty flat shoes. The model was pictured slipping out of heels as she left an event.

OneMoment® shoe: Summer shoes to be seen in

2011-12-31T08:26:00.000+08:00

OneMoment® shoe is the latest in minimalist footwear and consists of colourful ultrathin foot covers which according to the manufacturers mimics the feeling of walking in bare feet. Made from a polymer injection technique the elastic shoes are 1mm thick with a 2mm thick outsole. The footwear came from a collaboration of a team of architects, product designers, and shoe makers. Made from 100% biodegradable materials the fun One Moment shoes are affordable at approx. $12 US. The shoes are bound to catch on in the summer months and the company are hoping to introduce the opportunity to customize the shoes with individual logos, slogans or corporate image.

Ferragamo's Red Carpet Project, Philippines

2011-12-29T17:28:00.000+08:00

Salvatore Ferragamo recently reopened its store in the Philippines. A red carpet event was held recently at the Greenbelt 4, Ayala Center, in Makati. Also launched at the event was the Red Carpet Project, the first-ever made-to-order shoe service from Salvatore Ferragamo. Customers can choose from a selection of four models, select the color from a palette of 23 shades of satin, and receive their Italian made shoes in three weeks.

Day2Night: Well heeled footwear

2011-12-24T07:51:00.001+08:00

Day2Night, have a pair of shoes with adjustable heels. Designed by Candice Cabe, the Day2Night Convertible Heels offer five different heights for the heel (1.5 inches to 3.5 inches). The flexible shoes seem ideal for the Christmas party season but at $300 US a pair may have to wait until next year.

Christmas 2011: Not all so well in shoe town

2011-12-24T07:32:00.001+08:00

Ivanka Trump has been accused of stealing a design from designer Derek Lam. It has been reported the entrepreneur come fashion designer received a cease-and-desist letter from Lam, who claims one of her recent shoe designs is an exact replica of his Ayami wedge design. The shoe in question is a common wedge-style from the Ivanka Trump Footwear Collection. Although Ms Trump denies the claims, Derek Lam has reportedly given the heiress seven business days to pull the shoe off the market. Singer, Cheryl Cole has come under fire from fans after a pair of heels from her new shoe range was deemed faulty. Suppliers have now warned buyers there is a slight possibility the shoes may have a minor fault. Talking of ‘flesh shopping’ there was a frenzy when Nike released the new Air Jordan basketball shoes across the US. Scuffles broke out and police were brought in to stamp out unrest that nearly turned into riots in some places.

Shoe Privee

2011-12-23T14:51:00.000+08:00

Shoe Privee is a private shoe club. It started as a competitor to ShoeDazzle and other personalization sites. Shoe Privee is backed by entrepreneurs Fred Krueger and Kim Reed Perell, founders of Adconion and Frontline Direct, and apparel veterans Serge Azria (Joie, Equipement) and Philippe Elmaleh (Net a Porter).

Cleatskins

2011-12-23T08:09:00.000+08:00

Cleatskins are overshoes designed to slip over sports footwear to protect cleats and prevent suds and spikes from damaging floors etc. The add-ons can be used on soocer, rugby, baseball, American Football and golf footgear and eliminate the need to change footwear after training or a match. Cleatskins shells are made from a formulation of compression molded rubber called SKINTEK™ rubber skin and come in two designs i.e. pull-over and slip-on. The shells are available in a range of colors including Jet Black, Blue Ribbon, Royal Blue, Kelly Green, Lime Green, Lemon Chrome, Orange and Formula One Red.

Loopeez: shoe lace tie trainer

2011-12-22T13:54:00.000+08:00

The Loopeez helps children learn to "tie shoes." A little band helps children master the task of tying their own shoe laces, and can be used in conjunction with Loopeez bi-colored shoe laces, which helps toodlers distinguish the right lace from the left lace.

spnKIX: fast shoes

2011-12-22T13:43:00.000+08:00

spnKiX are battery powered skates that strap onto your shoes and can reach sppeds up to 10mph. The skates are battery powered and can travel about 2-3 miles at a time via a handheld remote strapped to the hand. They come with removable training wheels. spnKiX retail for about $650.

Amber is smokin'

2011-12-22T13:30:00.001+08:00

Amber Heard has been spotted out and about in her smoking slippers. She joins a number of Hollywood gliteratti who have taken the androgynous heel less style to their hearts. Fans of the smoking slipper say it is the new ballet pump, and that the more structured shoe helps keep feet cosy in the chillier winter months.

Pretty in Pink: Scarlett Johansson sports Five Fingers

2011-12-21T12:26:00.000+08:00

Rare shoe may help identify human remains: New Zealand

2011-12-21T10:40:00.004+08:00

Police are checking missing person files after a headless skeleton was found in the garage of a vacant Auckland property recently. The bones were found by contractors demolishing a house on Barrack Rd in Mt Wellington. The house has been empty for more than a year and police believe the remains were put there after the former residents moved out. No cause of death had yet been established and there was no sign of injury or natural disease in the remains. The autopsy further revealed the man was 1.57m to 1.64m tall, but his age and date of death were not known. Among the his effects was a pair of limited edition shoes which were available for only a short time in 2007. The Converse Chuck Taylor 'product red' styled shoes have the top lace eyelet red. Police believe this may help identify the mystery man.

High Heel Shoe Museum

2011-12-21T10:28:00.000+08:00

The High Heel Shoe Museum is a an online shoe museum founded by Los Angeles sculptor Bruce Gray in 2002. The museum specializes in exotic, unusual, interesting and extreme high heel shoes with the minimum requirement of a 2 1/2 inch heel. Currently there are 300 styles on display, with more to come soon. The High Heel Shoe Museum features fantastic shoe designs from many of the world's greatest shoe designers including such names as: Pollini, Martini Osvaldo, Italian Heels, Audley of London, Michael Antonio, Peter Fox, Gianna Meliani, Lashy, Calvin Klein, Brenda Zaro, Claudia Ciuti, Emilio Pucci, Patricia Field, Casadei, Hugo Boss, Charles David, Jan Jansen, Colette, Veronica's of Switzerland, Gabriella Rocha, Sam Edelman, Franco Sarto, Deer Stags, and some fantastic shoe salons including Libra Shoes, Simply Soles, My Glass Slipper, High Feelings, Bad Influence, Millies Heels, Extravaganza, Shoecraft, Rabanser, Lori's Shoes, The Little Shoe Box, Helen Bateman, Classic Pumps, and XTC on Melrose.

All the shoes featured were donated by shoe designers, manufacturers, and shoe stores, and were pre-approved by the curator. The museum also features everything related to high heel shoes including many beautiful shoe photographs, links to go shoe shopping worldwide, shoe magazines, shoe books, shoe lovers gifts, shoe art, shoe handbags, shoe sculptures, shoe facts, international shoe size charts, shoe museum directory, and the shoe museum bookstore and gift shop. The shoe museum receives up 52.45 Million hits per year (225,134 hits per day).

Bruce Gray creates larger-than-life steel and aluminum shoe sculptures that shoe and art enthusiasts from around the world commission and collect.

Naturalizer Dare recall

2011-12-21T10:18:00.000+08:00

Naturalizer “Dare” is a women’s dress shoe distributed by Brown Shoe Company, Inc., of St. Louis, Mo., has been recalled . The three inch heel dress shoes with open toes and a decorative faux patent leather bow across the front have a fall hazard. The heels of the shoes can lean to either side when pressure is applied. The firm has received one report of a consumer in Canada who received a minor leg injury when she fell while wearing the shoes. Consumers should immediately stop wearing the shoes and return them to any Naturalizer store for a full refund. The following stock numbers are printed inside the shoes below the size number: A3279S1020 Dare (gray), A3279S1250 Dare (nude), A3279S1600 Dare (scarlet) and A3279S2001 Dare (black). The shoes were manufactured in China.

High heel safe, Rome: Cobblestones!

2011-12-16T07:38:00.000+08:00

You know you're in a city that takes fashion seriously when its roads are designed to help high-heeled women walk safely and avoid damaging their precious Italian shoes. Rome, Italy, is now the unofficial high-heel friendliest city in the world after the mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno, announced plans to makeover the cobblestone-paved streets and sidewalks of Via del Corso. The prime reason given for the change is to make the streets less dangerous for women in high heels. Whilst Alemanno acknowledges cobblestone streets are a part of the city's history and character, they will be replaced with modern cobblestones that are set and sealed in a base of concrete to avoid irregular depressions and gaps. Some of the more heavily traversed streets will however be paved with asphalt. According to an Italian magazine, the work to realign the new cobbles, setting them in a bed of concrete to ensure no heel-catching lumps and bumps ensue, was to begin by the end of this year.

Shoe Museum Marikina in the Philipines

2011-12-15T07:23:00.000+08:00

Asics Gel-Excel33: Not all that it appears?

2011-12-15T07:11:00.002+08:00

According to the manufacturers, the new Asics Gel-Excel33 is designed to let all 33 joints in the foot move freely. They continue ‘this gives the wearer a 'natural running experience'. (sic all joints of the foot are not mobile with the bases of the three middle metatarsals and respective cunieforms considered the most stable joints of the body). Needless to say this has not stopped the manufacturers from promoting the new kicks with a video featuring thirty-three members of the GB Acrobatic Squad and Britain’s Got Talent winners, Spelbound. The gymnasts contorted and supported each other in the human sculpture to be photographed by Melvin Vincent. The flexible models were directed by two choreographers to help them mould themselves into the different shapes required to create the human shoe.

Vegan Chic

2011-12-15T06:56:00.000+08:00

Vegan Chic™ is a newly launched e-store owned by Vessela and Mark Mulcahy. The company are commited to provide quality footwear at affordable prices which do not involve animals. Rebecca Mink (Mink Shoes), Elizabeth Olsen (Olsen Haus), Cri De Coeur Ethical Footwear among many other designers are committed to create spectacular footwear and products that are cruelty-free. When customers sign up to become a member of Vegan Chic, they receive free shipping and a $10 gift voucher applied to their first purchase of $50 or more. Members also receive additional gifts/benefits from time to time. Follow Vegan Chic on Facebook.

Keds “Know It All” shoe: Recall

2011-12-13T21:50:00.000+08:00

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of approximately 45,000 girls shoes from Keds, a division of Collective Brands Inc. According to the agency, ornamental metal stars on the heel of the Keds “Know It All” shoe pose a scratching hazard. The agency said it had received 27 reports of lacerations from loosened stars. The $23 shoes in sizes 12 to 5 were sold at department stores and though e-tailers from June until October.

Vivienne Westwood 1973 – 2012 Global Exbition

2011-12-13T21:37:00.001+08:00

The Vivienne Westwood 1973 – 2012 Global Exhibition is in Shibuya, Tokyo at Omotesando Hills. More than 200 pairs of her shoes are on display, along with some runway-only couture outfits and accessories from the latest VW collection. Westwood debuted her first collection "Pirates," in 1981 which was the beginning o many firsts over the years including the multi-buckled boot and the Rocking Horse shoe.

Robert F. Kennedy's shoe for auction

2011-12-12T17:18:00.000+08:00

Robert F. Kennedy’s brown leather shoe, English-made, size eight and a half might go for auction on ebay. The owner Phyllis Isom managed to pull the shoe form the senator when he visited downtown Kalamazoo. As part of a big crowd she grabbed hold of RFK’s leg when herested his leg up on his convertable to wave to the crowd. Isom says the auction is not about money but about finding the right people for the right shoe. Isom says that even though the story of how she got the shoe was covered by the Kalamazoo Gazette, Esquire Magazine and even the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite, for Isom the shoe is more than the end result of a great story.

Bleak Christmas for Barratts and Priceless

2011-12-11T08:10:00.002+08:00

The owner of Barratts and Priceless in the UK has gone into administration putting thousands of employees’ jobs at risk. The Barratts Priceless Group, based in Bradford, employs 3,840 staff across hundreds of outlets in the UK. The Barratts Priceless Group has 191 Barratts and Priceless Shoes stores and also operates 371 concessions. Barratts and Priceless Shoes have faced a downturn in trading as a result of the difficult economic conditions exacerbated by an unseasonably mild weather causing fewer sales across new winter lines. Stores will continue to trade meantime whilst a new buyer is sought.

Barefoot running: Good or bad?

2011-12-10T14:47:00.000+08:00

In a study published in the scientific journal Nature last year, Daniel Lieberman, an evolutionary biology professor at Harvard University, sought to find out how our ancestors coped with the impact of the foot hitting the ground. Lieberman and colleagues from Britain and Kenya studied runners who ran with or without shoes. They found barefoot endurance runners often landed on the fore-foot before bringing down the heel, while shod runners mostly had a rear-foot strike. The authors concluded this change was prompted by the raised and cushioned heels of modern running shoes. Furher analysis indicated barefoot runners generated less impact with forefoot strike than rear-foot strikers in shoes. The former also had a springier step and used calf and foot muscles more efficiently. Researchers were clear however the evidence did not suggest barefoot running suffered less injuries (sic To the best of my knowledge the gate cycle is different from normal walking to sprinting with the latter having emphasis on ball contact rather than heel contact)

New facelift for Northampton Shoe Museum

2011-12-10T11:01:00.000+08:00

The building which houses the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery was once an old jail. Founded in 1865 it has grown piecemeal with the last major investment in 2002, and the addition of two new shoe galleries on the ground floor. A £310,000 modernisation is about to take place to modernise its interior and enhance its collection. £40,000 has been earmarked for a future Footwear Foundation. The major aim of the project is to increase footfall at the museum, it is also hoped other arts and historical venues in the town will benefit from the make-over. Haley Sharpe Design has been commissioned to plan the change. The museum will remain open throughout the works.

John Lobb: Gentleman's shoes of distinction

2011-12-08T07:23:00.001+08:00

In the 19th century John Lobb was a famous shoemaker. Born in Cornwall, he became an apprentice bootmaker in London before travelling to Australia to seek his destiny as a gold prospector. Instead he made his fortune by developing an ingenious hollow-heeled boot. Prospectors keen to hide their gold bought them up and Lobb made his first fortune. In 1858, he opened his first bespoke shoe shop, John Lobb, Bootmaker, in George Street, Sydney. In 1866 he moved back to London where he quickly established his famous boot and shoes makers and provided a bespoke service to the aristocracy, as well as the political and business elite. Later in 1902 he opened a second branch in Paris. Like today’s celebrity designers he was patronized by the rich and famous, including Katharine Hepburn and Edward VII. Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle and Alfred Hitchcock all owned John Lobb footwear, and there is reference to his shoes in Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels. Lobbs trademark was 'Lobb' stamped on the outsole and he continued to cut and stitched his shoes himself. Construction was completed by Italian artisans in Fiesso d'Artico, near Venice. The company name is now part of the Hermès Group and continues and maintains its bespoke shoe-making tradition in Paris. Only 100 pairs of John Lobb ready-to-wear shoes are finished in a working day. Hermès' John Lobb shoes are available in both ready-to-wear and made-to-measure. A pair of bespoke leather shoes costs over £2400.

Heel pain and how best to prevent it in growing children

2011-12-04T16:14:00.001+08:00

According to experts young athletes should never "play through the pain" in their feet. Heel pain ois ver common and if left untreated, heel can lead to difficulty in walking which may necessitate complicated therapy to recover. Children undergoing growth spurts are particularly susceptible to heel pain from age 8 until around age 13 for girls and age 15 for boys. The source of the heel pain is usually damage to a strip of soft tissue (the growth plate) where new bone is forming to accommodate adolescents' lengthening feet. Overuse, repeat pounding, or excessive force on the Achilles tendon can cause inflammation and pain. For many teenagers, the growth plate has completely closed, and heel pain is caused by other conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, bursitis, bone bruises or fractures. Often first aid measures such as RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) resolves symptoms. However if symptoms persist a visit to the physician is recommended. Anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, or other treatments tailored to requirement are usually successful. Surgey is usually the last resort.

Recogniting the warning signs in children can help prevent or reduce the severity of heel pain. Look out for limping, complaining, walking on toes, and pain the morning after a game. When in doubtr consult your physician.

Always have good fitting supportive shoes made for specific sports. Discard old or uncomfortable footwear especially when they have caused pain. Raise the heels slightly with heel inserts in footwear with flat-footed cleats and where possible renew worn cleats. Insist they do warm-up and cool-down exercises as gentle stretching can help prevent heel pain.

Invisible Shoes: The Crocs of minimalism

2011-12-04T11:24:00.000+08:00

Invisible Shoes TM by Feel the world , Inc. are based on traditional huaraches sandals as worn by the Tarahumara Indians or so the manufacturers claim. The Tarahumara (or Rarámuri) are a Native American people of northwestern Mexico who are renowned for their long-distance running ability. Rarámuri, means "runners on foot" or "those who run fast" in their native tongue. The Tarahumara also use the toe strike method of running, which is natural for bare-footed runners. The long-distance running tradition also has ceremonial and competitive aspects. Often, male runners kick wooden balls as they run in "foot throwing" competitions, and females use a stick and hoop. The foot throwing races are relays where the balls are kicked by the runners and relayed to the next runner while teammates run ahead to the next relay point. These races can last anywhere from a few hours for a short race to a couple of days without a break. Again according to the manufactutrer, the new sandals offer an outsole specifically designed for barefoot running. The shoes were developed by former lead designers from Reebok and Nike and their synthetic rubber outsoles have dual-direction Chevron tread for traction in all conditions. Invisible Shoes start at only $20, weigh in at 3.8 ounces and have a “zero drop” (no height difference between the front and rear of the shoe). They are available in two styles: 4mm and 6mm (for extra protection). The company offers a 5000-mile warranty.
Invisible Shoes are custom made to perfectly fit your foot, either with a simple “custom-made for you… by you!®” DIY kit, or made professionally by the company based on a tracing of your foot. Ten percent (10%) of net profits from the sales of Custom Invisible Shoes are donated to the Tarahumara Children’s Hospital Fund.

Look what I want for my Christmas: "10,000 Years of Shoes: The Photographs of Brian Lanker"

2011-12-03T19:35:00.000+08:00

"10,000 Years of Shoes: The Photographs of Brian Lanker" is edited by Jon Erlandson and Sarah McClure is produced by the Museum of Natural and Cultural History at the University of Orego and explores the form, function, history and diversity of shoes. The book is illustrated through out by Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist, Brian Lanker . The book connects the museum's famed collection of 10,000-year-old sagebrush bark sandals with the innovations in running shoes developed by Bill Bowerman, Phil Knight and Nike. The book is written for a general audience and includes contributions from Thomas Connolly (director of archaeological research at the museum), Jon M Erlandson (museum director) , Petr Hlavacek (professor of shoe technology at Tomas Bata University in the Czech Republic) and Kenny Moore (Olympian). Currently the book can be purchased at Past and Presents, at the museum's store, for $34.99. In January, the book will be made available for wider distribution.

The Luna Shoe: Shoes on display

2011-12-03T07:20:00.000+08:00

Lexus recently challenged four designers to create wearable, fashionable works of art from a dismantled Lexus CT hybrid. The results are on display at the Art Basel Miami Beach in Miami, Fla. Among the creations are: “The Valve Collection” aka a bracelet made of valve lifters, crank bearings, and hose clamps; and the “Nomadic Sanctuary” trench coat, shorts, and clutch, constructed of floor mats and leather seat covers. Alejandro Ingelmo created “The Luna Shoe, ” a pair of wedges made of armrest leather trim and clear plastic tubing. The pieces will eventually be sold at a private auction with the proceeds going to benefit the Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund.

"Walk in an Artist's Shoes," is another exhibition this time to honor the late Frances Galli. The organisers asked local Marin artists to contribute shoes because Galli loved fashion and created a series of paintings of shoes.

The collection of 48 shoe-cum-art exhibits will be on show at ICB's annual Winter Open House. All the exhibits are for sale (prices range from $50 to $600 US), with some artists donating the proceeds to their favorite charity.

Official Denver Airport Holiday Flash Mob

2011-12-01T07:35:00.000+08:00

Move like Jagger kicks

2011-11-30T16:58:00.002+08:00

As seen through a telescope (1900) and The Gay Shoe Clerk (1903)

2011-11-27T12:04:00.000+08:00

These silent shorts are thought to be the first foot fetish films ever made. As seen through a telescope(aka The Professor and His Field Glass) was a British short silent comedy film made in 1900 and directed by George Albert Smith. The story line concerns an elderly gentleman who is watching a young couple through a telescope. When her shoe lace becomes untied he glimpses her ankle as the boy attempts to tie the shoe. Aware they are being watched the young man knocks the old man’s hat off when they eventually pass the street.

The Gay Shoe Clerk (1903) was filmed by Edwin Stanley Porter (The Great Train Robbery) at Thomas Edison's company in New York on July 23, 1903. The story tells of an amorous young shoe clerk who takes advantage of his customer when her ankle is exposed during trying a pair of high-heeled slippers. Obviously overcome he kisses the flirtatious girl while her chaperon is temporarily distracted reading a paper. Once the chaperon realises what is happeneing she proceeds to beat the clerk with her umbrella before dragging the girl form the store. The simple storyline demonstrates perfectly it is possible to convey characters' amorous intentions by very simple means, without using explicit material. The audience are also left to ponder was this a chance encounter or a clandestine appointment.The early movie is also notable for its early use of matched shot editing, with a close-up of the customer's ankle and a longer establishing shot used in combination with each other.

Couture culture has its own fairytale: Ideal for this year's Christmas Stocking

2011-11-26T19:58:00.002+08:00

Fashion writer, Camilla Morton has written a series of moden fairly tales involving a real-life story of a famed fashion designer. Eack story illuminates the individual’s creative magic while celebrating their unique life and career. Manolo Blahnik and the Tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker: A Fashion Fairy Tale Memoir reimagines the classic “Elves and the Shoemaker” fairytale, blending elements of the designer’s own life story into the fabric of the immortal “Once Upon a Time” favorite. The intriguing combination of whimsy and memoir is lavishly illustrated by the designers themselves. Manolo Blahnik's delightful drawings take the reader from the banana plantations of his childhood to the top of high-fashion footwear design.

Also in the same fashion fairytale memoir series is: Christian Lacroix and the Tale of Sleeping Beauty, Camille Rose Garcia’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Daniel Egnéus’s Little Red Riding Hood.

A word from Sugar Pie on high heels

2011-11-26T06:13:00.002+08:00

Little sweeties: Can you tell the difference?

2011-11-22T16:15:00.000+08:00

Tootsie Roll Industries , of Chicago are suing a small footwear company selling a Footzyrolls shoes. According to the lawsuit filed in federal court in Illinois, Rollashoe, which makes rollable ballet slippers called Footzyrolls, is infringing on the brand name of Chicago-based Tootsie Roll. Tootsie Roll, alleged that the $2 million Footzyrolls brand will confuse and "deceive" consumers into thinking that the shoes are associated with Tootsie Roll's portfolio of products. Tootsie Roll also claims that Footzyrolls, dilute, or tarnish, the value of the Tootsie Roll brand. Rollashoe have dismissed the law suit as frivolous with no merit. Footzyrolls are a million-dollar brand that sell in Bloomingdales and Fred Segal.

Dollar dazzlers from Adidas

2011-11-22T15:58:00.000+08:00

Adidas will launch a shoe costing one US dollar a pair in India . The company previously failed in a similar venture in Bangladesh. According to the company improvement in production is likely to be successful this time around.The distribution network for the one dollar shoes will be local villages in targetted areas.

Times are tough and heels are lower

2011-11-22T15:51:00.000+08:00

According to those who know these things women's heel sizes reach new heights when the economy is down. In the 1920s during the Great Depression the height of women’s heel rose, then again, in the 70’s during the oil crisis fashion determined the introduction of the platform shoe. This winter, according to new data fromIBM, the trend will be reversed as ecomomic woes continue and women turn more to kitten heels and flats. Scanning influential fashion blogs, authors generally believe the vogue for the coming months will be lower heels.

Naughty Ri-Ri with 'Fuck off' pumps

2011-11-22T07:26:00.000+08:00

Rihanna (Ri-Ri) is seen here performing "We Found Love," on the UK’s, The X Factor recently. The singer had reportedly been asked to tone down her look by program producers after complaints from viewers. The young diva wore a tartan McQ dress, black tights, and a pair of shoes designed by Ashish Gupta in collaboration with the British footwear label Underground. The black, chunky creeper shoes come with a white-ink pen, with which wearers can doodle on their shoes. Seems someone decided to write "fuck off" on one shoe in large capital letters. The phrase was apparently visible to those in front row seats, who all gasped and pointed in shock and awe and consternation. Ri-Ri is no stranger to shock and often sports outragous profanity in the form of a golden neckless with the word, ‘cunt’ clearly engraved for all to see.

Portable Shoe Dryer: Something for Christmas, perhaps?

2011-11-21T18:14:00.001+08:00

Most portable shoe dryers use a current of forced warm air to dry the shoe or boot. Some manufacturers like The PEET® Dryer claim their alternative thermal convection drying process removes perspiration, wetness and resulting odor and because it does not involve hot air there is no risk of deteriorating materials, shrinkage or resulting stiffness. In 1968 the brand began with a very simple device now the product line has expanded to include portable shioe dryers.

Elvis Costello and Red Shoes

2011-11-20T07:48:00.001+08:00

News on shoes

2011-11-20T06:45:00.002+08:00

Muppets' merchandise the new vogue

2011-11-19T07:38:00.000+08:00

Expectation is high in the prospect of the release of the new Muppets movie. Pre-emptive designer brands see a lucrative future for the Jim Henson's classic characters and have created limited-edition products to tie in with the film. Shoe designer, Jerome C Rousseau has created a glitter platform pump inspired by Miss Piggy. It will go on sale in January for $595 (US) at Saks Fifth Avenue. The Diva even appears in an ad for it, gazing at the sparkly shoe in wonder.

Also on the footwear front is a series of Adidas Originals trainers, inspired by a different Muppet . The Kermit design (left) features a green felt tongue, while the Fozzie style (right) features the character on the heel ($38-$65).

Bobby Jones's shoe: Emory University

2011-11-17T06:15:00.001+08:00

Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research charity auction raises $4.7 million

2011-11-15T18:06:00.000+08:00

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is the world's largest private funder of Parkinson's research. The Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson's disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition.The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) announced that Nike's total funds raised for the Foundation, generated by the 10-day eBay auction of 1,500 pairs of limited edition 2011 NIKE MAG shoes, topped $4.7 million (US). The funds go straight to the Foundation's aggressive research programs to help speed a cure for Parkinson's disease. Through the $50-million Brin Wojcicki Challenge , effective through 2012, the proceeds of the auctions are doubled, bringing the total funds generated to $9.4 million. At the 2011 NIKE MAG launch party in Los Angeles, British rapper and avid sneaker collector Tinie Tempah made the highest bid for the first pair of the 2011 NIKE MAG with his $37,500 bid at live auction. Seems the average price paid per pair was $3,600. Kicks owned by Christopher Lloyd, were also auction and went for $13,500.

A woman's right to shoes: Sex in the city

2011-11-15T16:54:00.002+08:00

Jimmy Choo XV: New book

2011-11-15T16:52:00.001+08:00

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Jimmy Choo shoes a new coffee table top book will be available in February 2012. Jimmy Choo XV was shot by Mario Testino and Terry Richardson, highlights 15 pairs of shoes which capture the history of the company. Each shoe has been given the name of a famous Hollywood actress and to reflect contemporary fashion, 10 of the shoes featured have been "reinterpreted. " Included within the Jimmy Choo Icons Capsule Shoe Collection is the Marlene, made famous by Carrie Bradshaw when the character lost on the Staten Island Ferry in season three of Sex and the City . Ten percent (10%) of net sales of the book will go to the new Jimmy Choo Foundation which raises money for women’s charities.

Saks Fifth Avenue and Footwear News’ 2011 Sexy Shoes contest

2011-11-10T15:03:00.006+08:00

The winner of Saks Fifth Avenue and Footwear News’ 2011 Sexy Shoes contest was unveiled on Today with Kathie Lee & Hoda (Kotb) recently. The editors of Footwear News chose the 25 finalists which included Dior, Christian Louboutin (last year’s winner), Manolo Blahnik, Gucci, Givench, Stuart Weitzman and Oscar de la Renta. All 25 finalists featured in the 2011 edition of the “Sexy Shoes” magazine, which was distributed at Saks Fifth Avenue. The winner was Valentino’s hot heels which were selected by more than 35,000 votes cast online. The three runner ups were Jimmy Choo, Prada and Chrissie Morris.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Australian podiatrists per head of population

2011-11-09T17:58:00.000+08:00

According to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and National Boards’ 2010-2011 annual report, there were 3,461 podiatrists registered to practise in Australia. That is approximately one (1) podiatrist to 6575.4 people. The demographic breakdown was 64.3% of the foot professionals were aged between 25 and 44 years, with 279 podiatrists (8.06% ) aged between 20 and 24; and 49 (1.41% ) over 80. Over half the profression were females (57%). In terms of scope of practice 42 podiatrist (1.21% ) have registration which allows them access to scheduled medicines; and 20 (0.57% ) podiatrists were registered to practice foot surgery. The vast majority of Australian podiatrists work in Victoria (31.3%) with NSW a close second at 26.6% of the work force. 16.9% of the profession work in Queensland and 10% can be found in South Australia and Western Australia. When compared to the Australian Bureau of Statistic for 2010 for People aged 65 years and over, the following table emerges.

Podiatrist per head of elderly population

Victoria (1 per 701)
South Australia (1 per 742)
West Australia (1 per 797)
ACT (1 per 885)
Northern Territories (1 per 976)
Queensland (1 per 1004)
Tasmania (1 per 1014)
New South Wales (1 per 1109)

Columbian cartels put 'high' in hgh heeled shoes

2011-11-06T08:33:00.001+08:00

The Spanish authorities broke a cocaine drug ring recently estimated at $630,000 (US). The gang cleverly sculpted cocane to look like Manolo Blahnik high-heeled shoes. The narcotics were mixed with a liquid to turn it into a paste before being molded and painted to look like shoes. Each pair of shoes was estimated to have been worth around $70,000. The gang were shipping the fancy footwear from Colombia to Barcelona to be sold on the streets throughout Europe. Arrests were the culmination of a four-month probe into a 34-year-old man and his 24-year-old wife, both Colombian, who headed the ring. The couple, who lived in Spain, organized the transport of the drug from Colombia to Spain by paying “mules” who carried the consignments of “Manolos.” When the cocaine arrived the shoes were turned back into white powder and distributed to dealers. Using shoes to smuggle contraband is not new and a fairly common rouse was to incorporate hash outsoles onto footwear.

Shoe retail: Sole Revival to Macy's

2011-11-06T08:17:00.001+08:00

Sole Revival is a mobile shoe boutique owned and run by Karen Pentland. She started the ‘shoes-that-come-to-you’ business after finding many people are too busy to go out and shop for shoes, and prefer not to shop on line. A major attraction is shoes are brought to the workplace and displayed for employees in a boardroom or conference room. Because of the mobile nature of her business, prices are kept lover for designer shoes than would be expected in a high street store. By contract Macy's Herald Square plans to create the world's largest women's shoe department as part of a massive $400 million redesign. When complete it is estimated as many as 300,000 pairs of shoes will be on display on any given day.

The Shoes for Show – The Sculptural art of High Heels exhibition (last few days)

2011-11-06T07:52:00.000+08:00

An exhibition dedicated to shoes designed to be almost totally unwearable highlights iconiclastic footwear to blur the boundary between art and costume. Christian Louboutin has the most unlikely pumps to raise money for the English National Ballet. Inspired by a prima ballerina’s most important accessory, the French designer designed eight-inch heels featuring his trade mark red soles and the shoe was studded with Swarovski crystal.

The shoes are on display in the Shoes for Show – The Sculptural art of High Heels exhibition in the Loading Bay, Brick Lane, East London, E1 6QL. Other artists showing at the exhibition include: British Fashion Awards winner Nicholas Kirkwood , whose heeled timepiece is titled Alice in Wonderland Heels. He adorned his pumps with red roses, silver chains and tiny tea pots for effect. Designer, Rupert Sanderson submitted strappy golden sandal titled For Verdi’s Aida at the Royal Opera House. Alexander McQueen designed a tiny minature shoe in snakeskin. Also on display is Vivienne Westwood ‘s 1987 classic, Katie Eary’s Nike and Niamh O'Connor & Emily Crane 2011 among others. See them before the exhibition closes on the 8th November.

Shoemania: Celebrity shoe auction

2011-11-05T07:21:00.000+08:00

Shoemania is yet another celebrity shoe auction, this time to raise funds for the Orlando ballet. In collaboration, DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse and Profiles in History. Over 80 pairs of shoes have been donated and autographed their shoes including; Paula Abdul , Ellen Degeneres, Ringo Starr, Charlie Sheen, Susan Sarandon, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kelly Osbourne, Andre Agassi, and David Hasselhoff . Sure to reach top dollar will be Justin Bieber’s signed orange & pink Atlantis flip flops. Bidding for each pair starts at $200, either online via iCollector or in person at The Millennia Center in Orlando, Florida on Wednesday November 9.

Blahnik and Patmos fishy sandals

2011-11-05T06:51:00.000+08:00

Manolo Blahnik in colaboration with eco-designer, Marcia Patmos has produced a range of fashion sandals made out of Tilapia skin,. The shoes featured in the Marcia Patmos Spring Summer 2012. Talapia skin is a by-product of the food industry and is perfect material for small leather goods. The fashion designers are not the first to use fish skins whch have been incorporated into shoemaking for hundreds of years. In the past Icelanders wore fish skin shoes and when the sole wore out they boiled their shoes and ate them. Distance was measured by the number of fish skin shoes needed to cross the terrain.

'Act on Diabetes. Now': November is Diabetes awareness month

2011-11-05T06:28:00.000+08:00

In many parts of the world, the beginning of November marks the start of a month-long series of activities aimed at raising diabetes awareness and calling for urgent action to tackle the diabetes epidemic. New figures recently launched by the International Diabetes Federation indicate that the number of people living with diabetes has risen to 366 million. Diabetes is responsible for 4.6 million deaths a year (1 every 7 seconds). Healthcare spending on diabetes has reached USD 465 billion.
Diabetes is among the top 10 causes of disability, resulting in devastating complications such as blindness and lower limb amputations. All nations – rich and poor – are suffering the impact of the diabetes epidemic. Diabetes is undermining global development. Diabetes hits the poorest hardest

cinderthriller design a shoe competition

2011-11-04T22:45:00.001+08:00

i-D and Alberto Guardiani are running a competition to discover the next big shoe designer. To enter email a sketch of your shoe to cinderthriller@i-dmagazine.co.uk with your name, address, phone number and date of birth, by the 11th of November 2011. i-D will select ten entries to present to a panel including the fashion icon, Anna Dello Russo, shoe designer Georgina Goodman, President of Hong Kong department store Lane Crawford, Andrew Keith, owner of French fashion mecca Colette, daughter of the empire Rubina Guardiani and i-D founder and Editor-in-Chief Terry Jones. The winnng prize is £5000 and the chance for your fabulous footwear to be put into production and sold in Colette, Paris; Corso Como, Milan and Alberto Guardiani stores worldwide. Good luck.

Water Aid: Ringo on Tour and Timberland Shoe Auction

2011-11-04T06:47:00.003+08:00

Vibrating shoes for the sight impaired

2011-11-03T09:02:00.000+08:00

An IT Engineer from Rajasthan Technical University has developed a system that offers non-obtrusive navigation for the visually impaired. Anirudh Sharma developed the Le Chal (Hindi for ‘Take me there’) system after his grandfather was diagnosed with diabetes. His system essentially converts navigation data into haptic feedback and can be manufactured relatively cheaply The system is contained unobtrusively within a pair of shoes, one of which is fitted with vibrators, proximity sensors and a Bluetooth pad connected to an Android phone. The phone with a built-in GPS and compass module calculates directions and real time location using Google Maps. To use the person speaks the final destination before the start of their journey and the Android app formulates the route, calculating turn by turn directions which are sent to the shoe wirelessly via Bluetooth. Depending on the directions or GPS coordinates and compass, different vibrators within the shoe placed at different positions, are activated to offer feedback to the user. The vibrators also use feedback from proximity sensors, which detects physical obstructions up to a range of 10 feet. As vibration intensity increases the person is getting near tho their destination. The shoes have been piloted at a Bangalore based blind-school. Although still a prototype, vibrating shoes do look like a valuable asset to the sight impaired .

Paul 'Wine ' Jones Heels Clickin

2011-11-02T17:50:00.000+08:00

The Ultimate Shoe Closet Sweepstakes

2011-11-01T15:36:00.000+08:00

There have been entire books dedicated to the seemingly complex problem of how to make a woman happy. But the truth is that for many women, it only takes two words. Free. Shoes.
Refinery 29 and Shoe Privee are teaming up to make one lucky woman very happy with The Ultimate Shoe Closet Sweepstakes. Entry is free, simply go to short entry form and complete. The promotion closes on November 11. The winning entry will be selected by a random drawing on or about January 15 from all eligible entries received. The winner will receive 12 pairs of shoes, with a new pair delivered every month for a year.

The Aphrodite Project: Safety footwear for sex workers

2011-10-29T15:33:00.000+08:00

Aphrodite Project 's sandals are designed to protect the wearer with a piercing siren to scare off threatening muggers or attackers and a GPS-powered system so they can send warnings to police. The shoes are a new line of footwear specifically designed for sex workers. Using the latest technology, sex workers are now on par with other public workers, whose lives are valued highly because they work in dangerous professions that serve the needs of the community. The idea was inspired by the prostitutes of antiquity, who enticed clients with their flutes and sandals that left ‘follow me’ footprints in the earth.

Soap stars on serious business

2011-10-29T15:11:00.000+08:00

Actors from Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Eastenders will be pulling on their football boots to raise money for neuroblastoma sufferer, Leighton Cook. The game will be held at Altrincham Football Club’s Moss Lane ground, in Cheshire, this Sunday (30/10/11). Coronation Street actors Ryan Thomas , Jack P Shepherd and Chris Fountain, ex-Eastenders star, Dean Gaffney and The Only Way is Essex’s Mark Wright have all been lined up to play in the game. The match has been organised by businessman Umar Kamarni, founder of Boohoo.com.

Grim find in Tulsa

2011-10-28T06:56:00.000+08:00

When the Tulsa Police were called to the retention pond recently where they confirmed a grim find of a human foot (left) contained within a female Saucony Jazz trainer (size 9). A woman walking his dog came across the The macabre, badly decomposed foot which experts believe has been in the pond for some time. The TulsaPolice Homicide Unit released a photo of the shoe in the hope someone might recognise it.

Frank Zappa: Stinkfoot

2011-10-24T19:14:00.002+08:00

New Shoe Exhibition: Shoes for Show: the Sculptural Art of High Heels

2011-10-24T19:00:00.000+08:00

A new exhibition Shoes for Show: the Sculptural Art of High Heels, opens soon in London. The exhibition features a display of the crazy, beautiful and downright unwearable shoes from past to present . The exhibition's curator, Shonagh Marshall says ‘shoes can blur the boundary between art and fashion.’ On display will be Beyonce's 'medieval armour' shoes (as worn in the video, Run the World (Girls) which were created by Gareth Pugh. Also in the exhibition is a pair of gold platform sandals designed by Rupert Sanderson for Verdi's Aida at the Royal Opera House; there too is Christian Louboutin’s en pointe Swarovski-encrusted ballet stilettos; as well as a pair of Turkish bath shoes with wooden platform soles (dating from 1890). The clogs are inlaid with mother of pearl embroidery. By far the oldest exhibit is on loan from the Northampton museum's shoe collection. The "prize shoe" dates to the Great Exhibition of 1851 and is a finely embroidered shoe with four-inch heel and were made to showcase the talent of its anonymous maker rather than actually be worn.

Shoes for Show: the Sculptural Art of High Heels is on at the Loading Bay, 91 Brick Lane, London, E1, from 4 – 8 November.

Don Trousdell’s “Walk in Peace” exhibition

2011-10-16T13:31:00.004+08:00

Nana technology : Silver Artert GPS Shoes

2011-10-16T07:12:00.003+08:00

GTX Corporation have developed miniaturized 2 way GPS tracking and cellular location-transmitting technology platforms for integration into a wide variety of branded licensee consumer and enterprise products. Their patented Personal Location Services (PLS) platforms consist of miniaturized, always-on Assisted 2 way GPS tracking and GSM/GPRS wireless location-reporting technologies which provide continuous real-time, location coordinates rendered on Google Maps. Since launching LOCiMOBILE®, their GPS Tracking People-Finding Apps have been downloaded by over 1,000,000 people in 117 countries. LOCiMOBILE ® transforms GPS enabled smartphones into a 2 way GPS Tracking device. Location-tracking shoes have been marketed to marathon runners and children but the footwear seems idea for people with dementia who wander. People with Alzheimer Disease and other dementias often walk off and some deliberately hide due to their paranoia. GPS Shoes have been developed for this purpose. Miniature locators are inserted into the heel of one shoe and the other is counterweighed to feel balanced. The shoes work by having set perimeters called a “geo-fence,” so that the wearer can freely move around the house, around the yard, perhaps around a familiar immediate neighborhood. When the fence is broken a Google map pops up on a computer or phone to show where the person wearing the shoes is. The Nana Shoes will be on sale at a cost of $300 (US), plus a monthly subscription fee of $30 to $40.

More information
Alzheimer’s Association
Silver Alert

The Muppets Trailer: Fart Shoes

2011-10-15T12:40:00.002+08:00

Fashion shoes and sore feet

2011-10-15T12:14:00.000+08:00

Recently a study into the footwear choices of 2,000 UK women was carried out by Hotter Shoes. Apparently 84 per cent of women wore killer heels on a night out with only one in ten admitting to be comfortable in high heels. One in three (34 per cent) of women anticipate experiencing pain from their shoes within an hour of leaving home. 81 per cent of the women poled admit to experiencing pain when wearing killer heels with almost half of those surveyed, (46 per cent), walking in comfortable shoes to meet friends, before changing into killer heels at the last minute. More than half have ended an evening bare foot and 60 per cent carried plasters because they expected a blister or cut. One in three included ‘handbag accessorie’s such as foldable shoes to change into.

Seems too supermodels are not expempt from sore feet caused by wearing ill fitting shoes. During fashion weeks unsightly plasters often protect raw heels as cuts and scabs are paraded on the catwalks along with the latest in high fashion. Catwalk shoes are mostly sample size, (normally a size 40) and unless the model is lucky enough to have the same sized feet they face four weeks of either squashing their feet into shoes that are too small, or trying not to fall out of shoes that are too big. Bruises, sprains and cuts are commonplace and make up artists are kept busy on set to cover up unsightly marks on model's feet during photoshoots.

FFANY Shoes on Sale: Today only

2011-10-15T11:37:00.000+08:00

In honor of national breast cancer awareness month, QVC and the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) presents "FFANY Shoes on Sale," a charitable shoe sale to benefit research and education. Today’s (Saturday 15th October), three-hour broadcast [6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (ET)] will offer more than 90,000 pairs of shoes donated from brands such as Jessica Simpson, Nine West, DKNY, H. H. Brown, Camuto Group, MICHAEL by Michael Kors, Calvin Klein and more. Shoes retail at half the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Over the years, QVC, together with FFANY, has donated more than $35 million to the cause.

Nike plans to expand in China

2011-10-15T11:14:00.000+08:00

Nike aims to double its revenue in China in the next four years. Currently their products are available at more than 7,000 stores in China and their plans are to grow by expanding to smaller cities. According to the company website, orders for Nike brand athletic footwear and apparel, scheduled for delivery from September 2011 through January 2012, totaled $8.5 billion. This is 16 percent higher than orders reported for the same period last year. Nike has been featuring Chinese athletes, such as Liu Xiang, the Olympic gold medalist for the 110-meters hurdle, as well as Li Na, grand slam winner at the 2011 French Open, and Yi Jianlian, the NBA player. China is the brand's second-largest market after the United States.

Good news for vegetarian SK8rs

2011-10-14T07:23:00.000+08:00

Vegan skate shoes made from synthetics, canvas or hemp are available from several suppliers. Emerica include the Transit , Ridgemont and Reynolds Lights lines. Theses are made from 100% synthetic materials. Vans too have a variety of vegan skate shoes including Vegan Old Skool and the Canvas Authentic . IPath has a line of skate shoes made out of natural hemp and come in a variety of designs. eS has quite a few vegan. \skate shoes including The Square Two Fusion Joe Brook and the Edgar. Another source of vegan kicks is Habitat and the Vireo Vulc .

ShoesTV

2011-10-13T18:44:00.002+08:00

ShoesTV was launched in August 2010 as the first internet-based TV site to feature footwear-focused videos with an entertainment and celebrity angle. Owned and operated by SurfMyAds.com, Inc., the site serves as an extension of the popular shoe shopping engine, myShoes.com. ShoesTV offers shoe-centric shows featuring exclusive celebrity interviews, designer profiles, red carpet coverage, industry highlights, shoe and brand reviews, how-to style tips, and much more. More than half of American shoppers research products and trends online before making a purchase, according to a recent survey released by the Pew Research Center. The new ShoesTV responds to this growing demand for an interactive style and news resource for shoe lovers. Users are encouraged to share ShoesTV articles and videos on their social networks of choice in one click, making it easier for every fashionista to be “in the know.” Additionally, all shoe lovers are invited to submit footwear news for consideration to be featured on ShoesTV. To submit story ideas, users can visit the homepage and click on the link that says, “Send us your shoe news.”

Social Inclusion Cup 2011 winners: Union SAtreet Fotball team

2011-10-13T17:07:00.000+08:00

To celebrate World Homeless Day and World Mental Health Day, homeless people and those with mental health issues donned their football boots at Oxford’s Social Inclusion Cup. The tournament at the Warneford Hospital in Headington attracted 28 teams from across the region. Teams included the Oxford Coasters, Streets Revolution homeless club and a team from Thames Valley Police. The cup was won by the Union Street football team.

Bill Cunningham: New York

2011-10-13T13:55:00.002+08:00

Charles McCree Presents: Project Walk a Mile in My Shoes Celebrity Shoe Auction

2011-10-10T16:38:00.002+08:00