Shopaholics, stand by: Iconic Spanish brand Castaner hits Gilt tonight with 20 site-exclusive styles. The almost-90-year-old brand is the first word in espadrilles and a mainstay in style savvy wardrobes everywhere, with fans ranging from Grace Kelley to Penelope Cruz. Shop the full-price capsule collection tonight from 9 p.m. EST.
Attendance at February’s Offprice show in Las Vegas jumped 6 percent as 11,006 buyers streamed through the doors of the Sands Expo at the Venetian and Palazzo, the largest attendance in more than four years. Touting more than 500 vendors in 131,000 square feet of space, footwear and swimwear emerged as major growth categories at the Feb. 17-20 show.
Americana brand Durango Boots is introducing a collection of boots designed especially for members and alumni of the National FFA Organization. Available in both men’s and women’s styles (retailing at $159.99 and $149.99 respectively) the boots come in either black or brown full-grain leather with a synthetic shaft decorated in the blue and gold of the organization. An FFA-themed outsole gives the boots an extra pop of color. The brand will also donate $5 to the FFA for every pair sold, with a minimum donation of $25,000.
Marilyn Monroe once said, “I don’t know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot.” If by a lot she means pain, don’t worry, one of the guys behind Butterfly Twists took one for the team. After losing a bet, he found himself wearing a pair of 6-inch stilettos at a party and a long night of discomfort prompted him to come up with an idea to end high-heel suffering for women.
Boulder, CO-based brand Newton Running has donated 1,000 pairs of running shoes to Back On My Feet, a national non-profit that uses running to create self-sufficiency in the lives of the homeless. “We are proud to work with an organization that taps into running’s transformative power to help people in need,” says CEO Jerry Lee.
We might be months away from weekly pedicures, but French sandal brand String Tong already has us picking out metallic polish to match it’s Bali-worthy 2013 collection. I should add that our beach vacay is more likely to lean Coney Island than Kuta.
Since the brand’s debut in 2007, String Tong has made a fashion statement across Europe with its printed soles, luxe embellishments and signature elastic straps that adapt to the feet for support and comfort.
Unless you live under a rock, don’t have cable (or an internet connection), or just don’t like looking at beautiful people in fancy gowns and tuxes, chances are you tuned into last night’s Oscars ceremony. Here’s what the Footwear Plus team thought of the Seth McFarlane-hosted event.
HIGH: Adele’s performance of “Skyfall” for me was a highlight of the show. I thought she nailed the song and her outfit. I loved her Christian Louboutin shimmery pumps.
The TSA have been called many names, but for Shelby Mason, the creator of Bootights and founder of Leg Up, it was the kicking off point for her foray into hoisery. As a road warrior for Disney traveling from one chilly city to the next, the exec grew tired of layering socks over tights to stay warm. The final straw was when she took off her boots in Chicago’s O’Hare and revealed an embarassing pair of “man socks.”
Lifestyle brand Bearpaw and its e-commerce partner, Sportif USA, teamed up with Hosanna Home in Reno, NV, to help women in need. The companies will donate 100 pairs of shoes to the organization which encourages homeless women to make positive changes in their lives with programs that promote mental and physical health, while teaching successful life skills.
Could it be the end of an EVA?
This week in New York City, Adidas unveiled its latest running innovation, Energy Boost. Part of a new Adidas segment called Energy Running, the shoe features BOOST cushioning technology designed to provide runners the highest energy return in the industry. During the presentation Yohan Blake, the current 100m World Champion, joked that he’ll be wearing the shoes for energy instead of snacking on Snickers bars.
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