Blog Archives - Page 35 of 78 - Footwear Plus Magazine

A Visual Compendium of Sneakers hits high notes of the past century.

Starting with the original Converse Chuck Taylor All Star from 1917 and culminating with Nike’s 2013 camo-print Kobe 8 System, A Visual Compendium of Sneakers hits sneaker high notes of the past century. “We cobbled together an assortment that not only illustrates the evolution of shoe design and technological advancements, but that also represents some of the most sought after styles in sneaker history,” says Rachel Mansfield, director of marketing for Pop Chart Lab, a Brooklyn-based company that turns cultural data into graphic prints.

Offprice heats up the desert.

Billed as the show for quality fashion at a low price, Offprice returned to the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas (Aug. 17-20) and didn’t disappoint, according to Stephen Krogulski, chief executive officer of the show. “What we found is that many retailers came to Vegas ready to buy again and restock their shelves. Because of that, shopping Offprice has become a must,” he says, adding, “Retailers simply cannot afford to miss the show.”

Patagonia Footwear encourages its customers to recycle flip-flops by offering free return shipping and drop off locations.

Picture the scene: Summer is coming to a close and the flip-flops you’ve worn all season are a tad on the raggedy side. But unless you’ve literally walked holes into them, chances are you’ll hold onto them, and come Summer 2014, you’ll finally toss ’em out and buy a new pair. This is where Patagonia comes in.

The California-based brand is expanding its collaboration with Plus Compound Technologies (in 2012 they debuted 100 percent recyclable sandals made with PlusFoam materials) to offer free shipping and convenient drop off locations to streamline consumers’ ability to recycle.

Converse murals shot onto walls using paintballs.

German creative studio Sonice Development has plastered giant images of the Converse Chuck Taylor across three cities in Germany as part of the brand’s “Just Add Color” campaign. The signature shoe is being applied to walls in Berlin, Hamburg and Germany using the company’s Facadeprinter, a device that uses paintballs to create images one ball at a time.

Aetrex applies its brand of comfort technology to ballet flats.

At first glance they seem more sensible than skyscraping stilettos but doctors have linked the lack of support in ballet flats to a number of overuse injuries, among them heel pain and plantar fasciitis as well as muscle and tendon strain throughout the leg. This spring, Teaneck, NJ-based Aetrex is stepping up to the plate and adding flats infused with comfort to its lineup of wellness footwear.

Wanna win a pair of Keds signed by T Swift?

Just in time for back-to-school season, Zappos has teamed up with Keds to offer two lucky Taylor Swift fans the chance to win a signed pair of Keds by Taylor Swift. The sweepstakes is being held from now through Sunday, August 25, on www.zappos.com. For rules and to enter click here.

Longtime shoe executive Raymond V. Sessa has died.

Longtime shoe executive Raymond V. Sessa passed away peacefully at home on August 18. He was 86. Born in Philadelphia, PA, Sessa began his footwear career as a buyer for John Wanamaker, later joining Brown Shoe where he ran various brands, including Life Stride. He went on to run Hush Puppies at Wolverine Worldwide, followed by Keds and Grasshoppers at Stride Rite before re-joining Wolverine Worldwide. His keen eye for product and creative ideas led him to develop 14 United States patents, including the notable in-line skate patent, which he received in 1971.

Durango offers one hopeful star a big break this fall.

Singers and songwriters have until September 1 to be in with a chance of winning Durango’s Sole Performer contest and a once-in-a-lifetime appearance contract with the boot brand. One Grand Prize winner will receive the exclusive opportunity to appear in Durango’s marketing materials, participate in a Carnival Music co-writing session with an on-staff writer and receive individual feedback from music industry professionals.

Tommy Bahama and Oxford Industries CEOs ring closing bell at NYSE for National Relaxation Day.

Tommy Bahama said relax yesterday as the 20-year-old brand paid a visit to the New York Stock Exchange along with Oxford Industries as they to marked National Relaxation Day. Terry R. Pillow, CEO of Tommy Bahama, and Oxford Industries CEO and President Thomas C. Chubb III were present to ring the closing bell as the floor honored the day in casual dress.

Put your best foot forward with The Man Repeller and Superga.

Fashion blogger The Man Repeller (aka Leandra Medine) has partnered with Superga on a collection of cool kicks for fall. True to the blogger’s quirky flair, each pair comes with a set of longer laces to tie around the ankle a la Medine herself. From a velvet hi-top ($145) to a metallic boucle lo-top ($140), this isn’t your run-of-the-mill sneaker collaboration.

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