Vans has released five new features from its ambitious–and awesome–documentary project, “Living Off the Wall.” Available to watch now on its scrolling website, the films are full of inspirational content that embraces creative self-expression.
By Samantha Sciarrotta
Opened in October of 2002, Sole Shoes & Accessories is Atlanta’s go-to destination for an on-trend collection of footwear, accessories and, as of four years ago, apparel carefully curated by owner Abigail Lignugaris. “I keep my price points relatively low to make them affordable for my customers,” she says. “You could walk out dressed in a full outfit for around $350.”
In a bid to respond to the needs of the industry and remain competitive, organizers of the Italian footwear trade show Micam have announced they are moving the dates of next year’s spring product edition to Sept. 1-4, 2015. The most recent edition of the show took place Aug. 31-Sept. 3, having shifted from Sept.
By Tara Anne Dalbow
When Blake Mycoskie founded Toms in 2006, we’re sure this isn’t what his “buy one, give one” mission meant: Last Friday, 20-year-old Kayla Miller was on her way home in Queens, NY, when she was held up by a mugger who promised not to harm her if she handed over her $50 slip-ons–not the Michael Kors handbag she was carrying, the pricey watch on her wrist or the iPod she was listening to.
As a young girl growing up in Finland, Terhi Polkki dreamed of one day working in fashion. But it was only after getting a weekend job at a shoe store that she realized she wasn’t only interested in hemlines, but rather what lay south of them. “I began to appreciate that shoes are more fascinating objects than garments,” she recalls. This newfound interest led to her calling a local shoe factory looking for work experience, and the opportunity to see firsthand how shoes are made was all it took to seal her career fate. She completed her B.A.
It seems Nick Cannon picked up a thing or two during his marriage to Mariah Carey, namely her love for all things flashy. The 33-year-old host of “America’s Got Talent” commissioned Beverly Hills jeweler Jason Arasheben to customize a pair of Tom Ford shoes especially for the show’s season finale last night. The result? More than 14,000 full-cut round white diamonds set onto white gold, with a total carat weight of 340 carats, bedazzled the slip-ons, valued at $2 million and currently being reviewed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the Most Valuable Pair of Shoes in the world.
With beach sand on the floor, bamboo poles and an overall tropical theme, Kelly Sorensen says On the Beach’s “timeless look” attracts tourists and locals alike in search of an authentic California experience. We chatted with the veteran surf retailer about what’s selling at this Monterey, CA, store. – By Samantha Sciarrotta
When Reebok opened its first FitHub location in 2012, the athletic brand wanted to present a physical manifestation of its fitness ideals. Six other FitHubs have since opened along the East Coast between Washington, D.C. and Boston, the most recent one opening in New York’s Union Square last month. The concept is simple: Create a one-stop shop for all things fitness, from yoga shoes to CrossFit headbands. “It allows us to represent the brand’s entire collection from head to toe,” says Paul Froio, vice president of FitHubs and concept stores.
Shoe Carnival is tying together its brick-and-mortar and online efforts and embracing omni-channel retailing to better reach consumers and enhance its brand equity. Despite soft store traffic in Q2, the chain believes that by implementing improved digital capabilities, including the launch of its first-ever mobile, it can evolve the shopping experience for its customers.
Sign up to receive the digital edition of Footwear Plus, fashion news, and more.
