Ecouterre » Eco-Friendly Shoes

Ben Affleck Designs TOMS Shoes to Benefit Eastern Congo Initiative

Jasmin Malik Chua — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:00:39 +0000

From Oscar-winning director to…shoe designer? Ben Affleck has teamed up with the do-gooders at TOMS to create series of African-textile-inspired kicks that benefit the Eastern Congo Initiative. Founded by the actor-filmmaker in 2010, the organization is the first U.S.-based advocacy and grant-making initiative “wholly focused” on working with and for the people of that region. The designs are available in three styles: two for men and one for women. And besides TOMS’ usual “one for one” policy, $5 from the purchase of each limited-edition pair will help fund ECI’s programs for youth and families in eastern Congo. “Getting involved in something, helping others, improving the fabric of the universe,” Affleck says in a statement. “I believe if you do that, even just a little bit, I think you’ll find your life gets better, too.”

+ TOMS x Eastern Congo Initiative $59-$79

Help Krže Studio Kickstart Its Luxury Vegan Footwear Collection

Helen Morgan — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:00:16 +0000

Discussing the vegan fashion line with Wishyouwerevegan, Tamar says that when she was deciding what materials to use, she took into consideration the entire effects that mass cattle farming and the transporting of skins has on the environment. She says that “synthetic and vegan materials are constantly becoming more ecological, better quality, and incorporating more advanced technologies” and that she can use the most progressive high quality materials to create some truly beautiful of things.

Tamar understands how much vegan materials on the market vary. But in her designs Tamar uses high-grade materials, for example a lining that she says is “porous and breathable like skin and ecologically sound”. Krže released their inspired collection at the Fashion Footwear Association of New York in January with a combination of traditional and modern styles, as well as original belt and bag designs. The Kickstarter campaign has just three weeks left and we can’t wait to see their collection become a reality this Fall.

+ Krže Studio on Kickstarter
+ Krže Studio

Google, Adidas Create “Talking” Sneaker That Nags You Into Exercising

Bridgette Meinhold — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:00:42 +0000

Forget Google Glass; the tech giant is in the footwear business now. Or at least it was at the SXSW series of film, interactive, and music festivals in Austin on Monday. Together with Adidas, the technology giant unveiled its concept “Talking Shoe,” a smart sneaker designed to get people off the couch and exercising. But Google didn’t just see fit to give the shoe the usual moving parts (an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a pressure sensor, Bluetooth connectivity). The sneaker also boasts a personality, one that is alternatively cheering and jeering depending on your level of activity.

PERSONAL TRAINERS

With the manner of a snarky personal trainer or drill sergeant, the Talking Shoe has an arsenal of 250 quippy phrases it can dish out from the embedded speaker on its tongue. Stay stationary too long, for instance, it will say things like, “This is super-boring” or “Quick, someone check my pulse.” It might even start offering suggestions, such as a run or a game of basketball. Start getting physical, however, and the shoe will change its tune, noting “That’s more like it” or “I love the feel of the wind in my laces.”

The Talking Shoe has an arsenal of 250 quippy phrases it can dish out like a snarky personal trainer or drill sergeant.

Raise your heart rate even further and the shoe will respond with even more praise-filled exclamations: “Call 911, you’re on fire,” “You have made me a very proud shoe,” or “Wait till I tell my friends about this.” For an extra layer of motivation, you can also publish your activity on your various social networks.

Don’t expect Google to roll out the sneaker any time soon, though. The company commissioned artist-hacker Zach Lieberman and interactive collective YesYesNo to create the shoe as part of its “Art Copy & Code” series of experiments in online branding. More specifically, it wanted to showcase the potential of using connected objects to tell stories on the Internet today.

“By bringing the personalization and intelligence of the Web to everyday things, we can make them more useful and entertaining,” the designers say. “These connected and smart objects are sharing relevant information with us, turning chores into games and making us healthier.”

Not to mention thicker-skinned.

+ The Talking Shoe

Charlize Theron, TOMS Team Up to Keep African Youth Safe From HIV

Jasmin Malik Chua — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:00:30 +0000

Charlize Theron is putting her own spin on TOMS’s signature alpargata. The Oscar-winning actress has teamed up with the social enterprise to create a limited edition of shoes to benefit the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, a nonprofit Theron founded in 2007 to support African youth in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Available in women’s and kids’ sizes, the orange kicks feature an embroidered version of CTAOP’s sun-shaped logo, plus the organization’s motto, “Reach Out, Think Beyond, and Look Within.”

THIS WEEK IN ECOUTERRE: Charlize Theron Wears Dress Made With Beetle Wings in “Snow White and the Huntsman”

SUNNY DAYS

“TOMS is a blank canvas, and that’s what’s really fun about creating a partnership,” says Blake Mycoskie, the company’s founder. “[The CTAOP team was] able to take a portion of their logo, their colors, their mantra; and the fun thing about it for our customers is they get to wear their mission.”

“The relationship I’ve had with TOMS is one that I cherish because none of us can do it alone,” Theron says.

Theron concurs. “The success of this work really relies on meeting like-minded people,” she says. “The relationship I’ve had with TOMS is one that I cherish because none of us can do it alone.”

Like all of TOMS’ shoes, for every pair purchased, another pair will go to a child in need.

+ TOMS x Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project

Nike Debuts First Football Cleat Built Using 3D-Printing Technology

Jasmin Malik Chua — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:00:14 +0000

Nike made history on Sunday when it debuted the first-ever football cleat built using rapid-prototyping technology. Weighing no more than 5.6 ounces, the “Vapor Laser Talon” boasts a contoured three-dimensionally printed plate designed to provide optimal traction, as well as help football athletes maintain their “drive stance” longer and more effectively, according to the sportswear giant.

QUICK STEP

Nike engineers crafted the plate of the cleat using Selective Laser Sintering, a manufacturing technique that uses high-powered lasers to fuse small particles of materials into a three-dimensional shape. The process, says the company, allowed it to develop a fully functional plate and traction system not only within a fraction of the traditional timeframe but also at a fraction of the weight.

With 3D-printing, Nike was able to make design updates in a matter of hours rather than months.

Because SLS extends the limitations of conventional manufacturing, allowing for the creation of shapes not previously possible, Nike was able to make design updates in a matter of hours rather than months. “SLS technology has revolutionized the way we design cleat plates—even beyond football—and gives Nike the ability to create solutions that were not possible within the constraints of traditional manufacturing processes,” Shane Kohatsu, director of Nike Footwear Innovation, says in a statement.

+ Vapor Laser Talon
+ Nike

Iverson’s Wooden Snowshoes Are Handmade in the United States

Jasmin Malik Chua — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:00:59 +0000

When it comes to American-made wooden snowshoes, Iverson has the market cornered. That’s because the Michigan-based company is one of the few remaining wooden-shoe manufacturers in the United States. Each snowshoe is completely crafted by hand in the tiny town of Shingleton (population: 309), where 400 inches of snowfall during winter isn’t uncommon. From start to finish, the process of making a single pair of shoes takes 20 steps, beginning with the preparation of locally harvested white ash.

SNOW PLOWERS

The wood is cut, steamed, shaped, and kiln-dried before holes are drilled and hardware attached. After the frames are dipped in varnish, they’re delivered to the lacers, who typically work from home, to be fitted with rawhide (a neoprene alternative is also available through Iverson’s website).

Treat the snowshoes right and they’ll last three lifetimes.

After they’re dried for at least four days, the shoes are bathed in varnish three more times. Although some may balk at the price, the footwear is a long-term investment in the truest sense. Treat them right, according to Kauffman Mercantile, which stocks the shoes online, and they’ll last three lifetimes. But even if you slack on their maintenance, they will still serve you well for 60 years or more. And should your shoes need relacing, Iverson will happily oblige. (The firm has re-laced shoes upwards of 50 years old.)

+ Silent Glider $275; Beavertail $315; Bearpaw $330 at Kaufmann Mercantile
+ Iverson

Nike’s “LeBron X” Basketball Shoe Features Genuine Cork

Jasmin Malik Chua — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 20:00:18 +0000

Nike’s latest offering is worth popping the bubbly for. The special-edition “Lebron X” shoe features an upper composed of 100 percent genuine cork, a regenerative material stripped from the bark of the cork oak every nine years. A tribute to Miami Heat basketball player LeBron James, who signed with the sportswear giant 10 years ago (hence the “X”), along with his first championship win in June, the shoe “honors the tradition of cork-popping champagne celebrations,” according to the company. It’s expected to debut in February 23 as a run-up to what Nike promises to be a year of “additional basketball footwear surprises.”

+ LeBron X
+ Nike

Anne Hathaway Wore Custom-Made Vegan Shoes for “Les Miserables” Role

Jasmin Malik Chua — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 16:00:29 +0000

Anne Hathaway made bigger headlines for what she didn’t wear on the Les Miserables red carpet in New York City that what she did, so we weren’t surprised that her bondage-style gladiator heels warranted only a secondary mention. But the Oscar-nominated actress’s wardrobe malfunction buried another lede: Hathaway’s recent conversion to veganism, and the fact she had designer Tom Ford custom-make said shoes in faux-leather.

CRUELTY-FREE KICKS

But it wasn’t just her red-carpet footwear that eschewed animal products. For her role in the period drama, which opens in theaters tomorrow, Hathaway insisted on shoes that were just as cruelty-free.

For her role in Les Miserables, Hathaway made sure her character’s shoes were animal-free.

“She’s vegan, so we couldn’t use any animal materials on the shoes for her character Fantine,” costume designer Paco Delgado told Footwear News last Monday. “We had to find very specific shoemakers to create lace-up boots and ankle boots. We also did flats that were much more sophisticated.”

Another piece of shoe trivia? “We were shooting the actors singing in real time, so [we were] very careful with the materials we used to be as noiseless as possible,” Delgado added. “We used soft materials and insoles to stop the noise.”

[Via E! Online and Footwear News]

L.L. Bean, Woolrich Collaborate on Made-in-Maine Footwear, Bag Collection

Jasmin Malik Chua — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 13:00:38 +0000

As far as homegrown retailers go, few have cultivated that aura of all-American authenticity more fervently than L.L. Bean, which began in 1912 as a mail-order business in Greenwood, Maine. Yet with the exception of its duck boot, boat tote, and the odd kayak paddle or two, which the company continues to produce in the Pine State, its once-venerable catalog has mostly succumbed to the deluge of Asian and South American imports. Still, the Beanster might be contemplating a return to form. Together with Woolrich Woolen Mills, L.L. Bean has launched a capsule collection of bags and boots under its higher-end “Signature” label. Clad in winter-ready ombre wool plaid, the tote, pouch, and 10-to-16-inch boots are made in Maine, just like our grandparents remember. Maybe you can teach an old dog old tricks, after all.

+ L.L. Bean x Woolrich $49-$199

Fantich and Young’s “Apex Predator” Shoes Are Made With Human Dentures

Mike Chino — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 21:00:18 +0000

Looking for a pair of shoes to complete your creepy Halloween costume? Fantich and Young just carved their way into our darkest nightmares with a pair of black balmorals soled with toothy treads made from hundreds of fake human teeth. We think its “Apex Predator” shoes are just about the creepiest things we’ve seen on two heels, but hey, if you’re into sporting denture couture, it’s unlikely anyone will try to “bite” your style.

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SHOES THAT BITE

Fantich and Young outfitted a pair of black Savile Row by Barker oxfords with 1,050 repurposed plastic dentures. Several gold caps add a touch of class to the ghastly shoes, which were designed as one-off art pieces or “totems.” “The idea for the shoes are based on Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution and natural selection and juxtaposing them with the supernatural elements of pagan rites and rituals,” the designers say.

Fantich and Young outfitted a pair of black Savile Row by Barker oxfords with 1,050 repurposed plastic dentures.

Those undeterred from wearing human anatomy will be happy to know that Fantich and Young created a matching suit from human hair and glass eyes. To each his own, but we reserve the right to back away slowly from you on the subway.

+ Apex Predator Shoes
+ Fantich and Young

[Via Artinfo]

Matt Bernson Repurposes EDUN’s African Textiles Into Camo-Print Shoes

Jasmin Malik Chua — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 22:00:55 +0000

A good find is a terrible thing to waste. Thank the fashion gods, then, that EDUN didn’t chuck its leftover Spring/Summer 2013 fabrics into the trash heap. Instead, the socially conscious label hooked up with Matt Bernson to reimagine six of the shoemaker’s iconic styles with African tenting canvas, along with brushed-metal circle pulls made by artisans in Kenya’s Bombalulu workshop. Featuring ballet flats, smoking slippers, platform sandals, and woven wedges, the doubly cool collaboration merges EDUN’s rocker-chic aesthetic with Bernson’s handcrafted “downtown meets the beach” vibe. The line is expected to drop in stores sometime in March, with prices ranging from $165 to $235.

+ EDUN
+ Matt Bernson

Sole Footwear Finds New Use for Millions of Old Wine Corks

Lea Stewart — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 18:00:53 +0000

If you are in the market for new footwear, do your part in adding to the material chain of custody by sipping on a bottle of your favorite vintage! In a partnership with ReCork, a North American cork recycling initiative, Canadian footwear manufacturer Sole has used over 40 million corks to produce their superior ergonomic footbeds. The cork collection includes men’s and women’s sandals, but we are excited to learn that Sole will be adding boots, ballet flats, casual slip-ons and lace-up looks next fall.

Photo by Shutterstock

Although cork is renewable, only after 40 years of age is the tree bark suitable use in wine storage. From there it can take 9-12 years more until the thick outer layer cork oak tree bark has regrown and can be stripped again. This kind of wait time puts the material in high demand, and endangers the trees from being over harvested. “A lot of people don’t even realize that cork grows on trees. I like how simple that message is,” says Mike Baker, President of Sole. “By collecting used wine corks, we’re taking what would otherwise be a waste material and giving it new life.”

Sole’s use of cork in their footwear, is also displacing the petroleum-based EVA (ethlyene-vinyl acetate) rubber they have traditionally used. Because cork is similarly lightweight, elastic, and flexible, it is an excellent choice as a replacement.

Although Sole has a big part in the effort to conserve virgin cork, it is the large network of partners involved that makes the program really effective. ReCork is sponsored by Amorim, the world’s largest cork producer located in Portugal. ReCork has added thousands of reclaim centers at restaurants, wine shops, and other venues, but Sole thinks it is most compelling when they have footwear re-sellers join in. “When a retailer can serve as a collection partner and then sell shoes made from the cork that was brought into their stores, it’s very self-fulfilling. And it’s a great story that retailers can bring to their customers.”

+ Sole Footwear
+ReCork

[Via WWD]

Lasso: A Flat-Pack Wool-Felt Slipper You Assemble Yourself

Jasmin Malik Chua — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 12:00:07 +0000

Gaspard Tiné-Berès’s “Lasso” house slipper is a shoe you assemble yourself. Made of a single piece of die-cut wool felt, the shoe is shipped flat with a single colored shoelace. Don’t worry if you were born all thumbs—even the least dextrous among us is capable of “stitching” up the seams using the laser-perforated notches as a guide. “The act of self-assembling the slippers increases the sense of ownership and emotional connection with them,” Tiné-Berès, whose work was on display at the Royal College of Art’s Design for the Real World exhibit at the London Design Festival in September. “[It also] allows for personalization through the choice of laces used,” he adds.

+ Lasso $30 at IndieGoGo
+ Gaspard Tiné-Berès

Julia Skergeth Turns Heads (And Heels) With Stilettos Made With Rice

Jasmin Malik Chua — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:00:19 +0000

Just call Julia Skergeth a designer who goes against the grain. The Kingston University student turned the traditional stiletto on its head, after all, when she built a vertiginous heel using little more than rice, silicone, and bio-resin. Already, the towering footwear is turning heads—and heels. Unveiled during London Fashion Week in September, the concept won Skergeth at the prestigious Vauxhall Fashion Scout showcase—not bad for someone only in the first year of her postgraduate studies.

RICE, RICE, BABY

The Austrian native came up with the idea after InCrops, a not-for-profit bio-renewables enterprise based at the University of East Anglia, challenged Kingston University’s fashion students to create examples of carbon-friendly couture.

Skergeth spent weeks glueing rice grains on a template to create a silicone mold, which she then filled with bio-resin.

Skergeth not only caught the eyes of the judges by focusing on alternative plant-based materials—she’s experimented with pistachio shells and coffee beans in the past—but also for reversing the slope of the heel from back to front. “I just love crystals, diamonds, and all the sparkly embellishments that finish so many luxury fashion items,” Skergeth says. “This project, however, asked us to create sustainable luxury, so I had to really think about how I could keep the materials and approach green but still make eye-catching designs.”

A cooking enthusiast, Skergeth looked to rice as her “alternative bling,” she says. Knowing it wouldn’t stand up to wear on its own, the student spent weeks glueing individual grains on a template to create a silicone mold, which she then filled with bio-resin. “Bio-resin dries crystal clear, so I also took the opportunity to feature the rice again by pouring it into the liquid,” she says. “Floating to the bottom, it reinforced the spiky shapes it had already created on the exterior.”

Skergeth preemptively strikes at critics who might deride her shoe’s unconventional—and impractical—form. “Shoe design has gone crazy. Heels have got higher and platforms have sent footwear to even dizzier heights,” she says. “So many shoes on the high street are almost impossible to walk in anyway, so I just wanted to take the opportunity to play with the design.”

In other words, she’ll rise above it.

+ Julia Skergeth
+ Kingston University

Converse, Missoni Recycle Deadstock Fabrics Into One-of-a-Kind Sneakers

Jasmin Malik Chua — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:00:10 +0000

CONVERSE x MISSONI ARCHIVE

Gary Card, a London-based set designer and illustrator, borrowed cues from the collection’s “star chevron” logo to create his oversized shoe tree, a towering sculpture that rises from a star at its base into a sequence of outstretched chevron-shaped protrusions. He then clad the tower in a monochrome version of the Italian fashion house’s signature zigzag pattern.

The deadstock fabrics are “colorful, eclectic, and completely reinvigorated” by the juxtaposing colors and textures.

Likewise, Converse turned two of its iconic silhouettes—the “Pro Leather” and “Auckland Racer”—into blank canvases for myriad Missoni fabrics that debuted in runway collections from 1994 to the present day. No longer available, the archived fabrics are “colorful, vibrant, and eclectic, and completely reinvigorated” by the juxtaposing colors and textures, according to the two companies.

“The Converse Pro Leather and Auckland Racer shoes each helped to usher in the modern era of basketball and running respectively,” says Penny Ericson, vice president of Converse Jack Purcell and Premium. “And we are excited to unite these iconic designs with the rich heritage of Missoni and the inspiring artistry of Gary Card.”

Accompanying the project is a hardcover book, produced in limited quantities and individually numbered. Each volume is bound in the same terracotta canvas that lines every pair in the collection.

The Converse x Missoni Archive Project is part of “Converse First String,” a limited-edition initiative that celebrates craftsmanship, authenticity, and collaboration par excellence. Each shoe is available exclusively at Colette in unisex sizes ranging from from US 5 to 12. Don’t expect budget prices here: The shoes retail at €400 per pair.

For shallower pockets, Converse will launch the Holiday 2012 Missoni for Converse Auckland Racer on October 31 at Missoni boutiques and select Converse First String retailers worldwide.

+ Press Release
+ Converse
+ Missoni

Stella McCartney Introduces Biodegradable Soles for Fall/Winter 2012

Jasmin Malik Chua — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 21:00:53 +0000

Stella McCartney’s fall lineup of pumps and boots isn’t just kind to animals; it’s also gentle on the environment. First spotted on the Paris Fashion Week runways in February, the cruelty-free kicks feature soles made from Apinat, a biodegradable thermoplastic derived from natural—and renewable—raw materials. Each wedge of white provides a strong contrast to the faux-croc and pleather uppers, lending the shoes a sporty sneaker-pump vibe that should appeal to girly girls and tomboys alike.

+ Fall/Winter Shoes
+ Stella McCartney

Clae Debuts Vegan Versions of Popular “Bruce,” “Strayhorn” Sneakers

Jasmin Malik Chua — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:00:38 +0000

Spotted on the heels of A-listers like Tom Cruise and Jay-Z, Clae’s sneakers have ushered in a new era of “athleisure” footwear for men. For fall, the shoemaker is launching animal-friendly versions of its popular “Bruce”and “Strayhorn” styles. Available this month in limited quantities, the desert-boot-esque vegan Strayhorn marries semi-smooth, textured canvas with pleather accents to create a “sophisticated mid-top for the discerning gentleman,” according to Clae. The company will also reintroduce its Bruce lace-up in three cruelty-free colorways: blue chambray, black denim, and oatmeal denim.

+ Strayhorn (in Tan Canvas) $95; Bruce (in Blue Chambray, Black Denim, or Oatmeal Denim) $65
+ Clae

TOMS’s Vegan-Friendly “Shark” Shoe Supports Marine Conservation

Jasmin Malik Chua — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 21:00:29 +0000

Gear up for “Shark Week” in style on August 12 with the appropriate footwear. TOMS’s new, vegan-friendy “Shark” slip-on, a collaboration with the University of Miami’s R.J. Dunlap Marine Conservation Program, features silhouettes of the carnivorous—and threatened—beastie on the lining of each shoe. Proceeds from the sale of the shoes will go towards protecting sharks and their marine environment. And, like always, with every pair your purchase, TOMS will give a new pair of shoes to a disadvantaged child.

+ Shark Shoe $54
+ TOMS

Biometric Shoe Identifies Individuals by the Way They Walk

Bridgette Meinhold — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:00:08 +0000

Photo by Shutterstock

Forget fingerprinting, voice recognition, or even retinal scans. Access to high-security areas could soon hinge on the way you strut. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University’s new Pedo-Biometrics Lab are working to perfect a shoe insert that can help monitor access to nuclear power plants, military bases, and other critical infrastructure. Everyone has unique feet—and unique ways of walking. By using sensors to measure foot pressure and gait, the bio-sole’s microcomputer can compare patterns of movement with existing records. If the patterns line up, the insole becomes dormant. If they don’t, it sets off a wireless alarm.

Photo by Shutterstock

SOLE CHECK

The lab, which secured $1.5 million in startup funding, is a partnership with Autonomous ID, a Canadian company that specializes in low-cost ID technology. Todd Gray, the company’s president, not only claims that the system is no thicker than the foot pads you find at the drug store, but it can also ID a person within three steps.

Todd Gray, the company’s president, claims that the system can ID a person within three steps.

Prototypes already demonstrate an accuracy rate of more than 99 percent, but the Carnegie Mellon team will broaden the tests to include “a full spectrum of society: big, tall, thin, heavy, athletic, multicultural, on a diet, twins and so on,” he said.

Beyond checking a person’s security clearance, the bio-sole could also have medical applications. Several papers presented this month at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Vancouver suggest that changes in a senior person’s pace and stride can augur the onset of dementia.

[Via Associated Press]

FEED, DKNY Collaborate on “Survival” Collection to Fight Global Hunger

Jasmin Malik Chua — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 19:00:38 +0000

FEED THE WORLD

A blend of FEED’s utilitarian aesthetic and DKNY’s urban-chic edge, the lineup features washed canvases, nylon, grommets, and more black than you can shake a Manhattanite at.

Each product provides a number of children with emergency food through the United Nations World Food Programme.

“FEED is thrilled to partner with DKNY on these fashionable and functional carryalls for urban mothers and women on the go,” Lauren Bush Lauren, who founded FEED in 2005, says in a statement. “The diaper and city survival bags are sure to please FEED’s biggest supporters: stylish mommies and style-conscious shoppers who have embraced the idea of compassionate consumerism and the importance of ending world hunger.”

The DKNY x FEED collection is available online at Bloomingdales, Net-a-Porter, FEED, and DKNY, as well as select DKNY brick-and-mortar outlets.

+ DKNY x FEED

Dare To Go There: 6 Eco-Friendly Ways to Mix Neons With Prints

Alyssa Alimurung — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:50:28 +0000

We saw it all over the runways at last season’s Fashion Week: neon colors and prints; but what if you dared to pair these two trends together? Have no fear, it can totally be done. Remember fashion has no rules! We’ve put together a couple of on-trend neon & print-mixing looks from our favorite eco designers with some helpful tips for the daredevil in you willing to take the fashionable leap.

This content series is brought to you in partnership with smartwater. smartwater, good taste travels well. To learn more click here.

DO Mix Neutrals with Brights

If you’re ready to jump right into the neon color trend, then this look is for you. We’ve pulled the fluorescent pink from the toe-cap Schier shoes and into these cute high-waisted shorts by Mara Hoffman, then matched the brown with the striped top by Chris Benz. This outfit works because it’s not too matchy; there are still other colors at play here: white, orange, grey and black.

+ Schier Shoes Neon Pink Toe Cap Erongo $235
+ Mara Hoffman High-Waisted Shorts $235
+ Chris Benz Rugby Shirt $346.50 at Shopbop

DO Pull Complementary Colors

Just starting off in the neon and print world? No worries, here’s a look that just pulls one color from these Osborn Multi Oxfords to use for this Curator Zoey Dress. The key to pairing the right neon with the right print is to make sure you’re pulling colors from the same color scheme you’re going for. Whether you’re a clashing print-neon pro or just testing the waters of trendsetting, wearing neon and prints together is itself daring; but a rad outfit isn’t complete without confidence. The next time you catch yourself in a mirror tell yourself, “I look good!”

+ Osborn Multi Oxfords $93.50 at Shopbop
+ Curator Zoey Dress $75

DO Pair Neon with More Muted Brights

These shorts from Afia are called Acid Green for a reason – you might blind someone if you pair it off with a matching fluorescent top. Instead of looking like a highlighter, try pairing already-neon bottoms off with tops that is a bit muted, like this JF & Son Ombre Box Tank. Look for tops that are still in the same color scheme, but are more on the pastel side.

+ JF and Son Ombre Box Tank $155
+ Afia High-Waisted Shorts in Acid Green $60

DO Break Up Your Outfit with Accessories

You’ll make enough of a statement with your outfit, so don’t kill it with too many accessories or throw off your whole outfit with a completely different color. You can definitely clash prints and neons successfully — check out this look with Suno’s Pipe Pants and Loomstate’s Nami Top – as long as you break it up with minimal accessories so your outfit isn’t too overpowering.

+ Suno Pipe Pants $248 at Opening Ceremony
+ Loomstate Nami Top in Yellow, Green and Grey $165

DO Kick Out Clashing with Your Shoes

Don’t be scared to bring shoes into the mix too. A pair of kicks can be perfect for calming down your outfit. We picked these Melissa Star Sandals to match the fuchsia color in Gretchen Jones’ Owl Eyes Blouse. This and the plain American Apparel pants will help break up the loudness of your look. You can also try printed shoes, but keep in mind there’s already a lot going on on top; try a simple printed pair.

+ American Apparel Unisex Stretch Twill Slim Slack Lite in Neon Olive $75
+ Gretchen Jones Owl Eyes Blouse $298
+ Melissa Star Sandal $72 at Kaight

DON’T Be Afraid To Try Neon Accessories

Just like shoes, accessories can be great for breaking up prints. With this Siran Printed Dress from Alternative Apparel, try a neon statement piece. This bracelet from MUJUS has a bit of a print, but it doesn’t overpower the dress. If jewelry isn’t your thing, how about a simple belt or sandals.

+ Alternative Apparel Siran Printed Dress $98
+ MUJUS ABC in Orange $24

This content series is brought to you in partnership with smartwater. smartwater, good taste travels well. To learn more click here.

Fake-Out Fashion: Women Paint Their Soles Red to Get the Louboutin Look

Yuka Yoneda — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:00:51 +0000

Photo by Shutterstock

Why fork out $900 for a pair of Christian Louboutins when you can whip up your own red-soled kicks with a $3 tester pot of paint? That’s the question many savvy—and cash-strapped—Brits have arrived at, according to a U.K. home-improvement retailer. Not only have sales of Duracoat’s “Flame” and “Show Stopper” increased by 40 percent compared with the year before, claims Homebase, but the uptick is the result of women cribbing the French shoemaker’s signature red soles. Will the mini-movement make its way across the Atlantic? Lowe’s and Home Depot, you have been warned.

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RED OR DEAD?

Peter Rooney, manager at the Homebase store in Acton, London, said sales of the paint have “rocketed.” “Many people tend to look at magazines to get the right paint color for walls and furniture, but we’ve noticed significant numbers of girls color-matching tester pots to pictures of designer shoes in fashion magazines,” he told the Telegraph.”They have also asked staff for tips on how to paint on leather or rubber.”

In 1992, Louboutin painted the bottom of a pair of shoes with an assistant’s nail polish to give them more “energy.”

Recreating the Louboutin look is ridiculously easy: Louboutin famously came up with the idea in 1992 when he painted the bottom of a pair of shoes with an assistant’s nail polish to give them more “energy.” Before he knew it, flashing a red sole became the identifier of the rarified elite, so much so that the designer has fought tooth and nail to protect his trademark.

For would-be do-it-yourselfers, Homebase senior paint buyer Richard Johnson offers the following tip: “The tester pots would have enough paint to cover the sole of an average-sized shoe, but we would advise people to ensure they do apply it properly so it can achieve a really good visual effect.” YouTube is also a treasure trove of ways to achieve the coveted look for less.

[Via Daily Mail]

Are Flip-Flops Bad for Your Feet?

Jasmin Malik Chua — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 12:00:44 +0000

Photo by Shutterstock

Flip-flops may be your go-to footwear this summer, but experts warn that they could cause a world of pain if you wear them for long periods of time, while walking on concrete, or when playing sports. Flip-flops don’t just offer limited arch support and shock absorption for our feet, they also change they way we walk. Because we tend to grip the flimsy shoe bed with our toes to keep them in place, we can cause undue strain to calf muscles or pinch a nerve in our hips and back, according to orthopedic doctors at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

Photo by Shutterstock

FOOT FOLLY

Other dangers associated with flip-flops include broken toes and toenails, cuts and bruises, and general germiness, not to mention semi-permanent toe jam. Sun damage is another cause for concern. Be sure to apply sunscreen to any exposed bits to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Not ready to flip those flops just yet? Some do’s and don’t from the American Podiatric Medical Association:

Do ensure that your foot doesn’t hang off of the edge of the flip-flop.

Do gently bend the flip-flop from end to end, ensuring it bends at the ball of the foot. Shoes of any kind should never fold in half.

Do wear a sturdy pair of flip-flops when walking around a public pool, at the beach, in hotel rooms, and in locker room areas. Walking barefoot can expose foot soles to plantar warts and athlete’s foot.

Don’t re-wear flip-flops year after year. Inspect older pairs for wear. If they show signs of severe wear, discard them.

Don’t ignore irritation between toes, where the toe thong fits. This can lead to blisters and possible infections.

Don’t wear flip-flops while walking long distances. Even the sturdiest flip-flops offer little in terms of shock absorption and arch support.

Don’t play sports in flip-flops. This practice can lead to twisting of the foot or ankle, as well as sprains and breaks.

+ HealthDay

Originally published on July 7, 2012.

Suno’s Upcycled-Fabric Sneakers Benefit Wildlife Conservation in Kenya

Jasmin Malik Chua — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 20:00:32 +0000

Shout hallelujah because Suno’s getting happy again with a fresh crop of sneakers in six zesty new prints. Ethically crafted in Kenya from fabric offcuts and recycled rubber, the multihued canvas lace-ups and slip-ons feature kaleidoscopic florals, madras plaids, and nubby stripes from the label’s past collections. Plus, each shoe comes with a drawstring bag made from Suno’s signature kanga fabrics. Need another reason? Fifteen percent of each purchase benefits the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a Kenyan reserve devoted to protecting endangered elephants and rhinos.

+ Sneakers $65
+ Suno

[Via Refinery29]

Tune Up Your Stride on Land or by Sea With Merrell’s Barefoot Footwear

Ecouterre — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 12:00:27 +0000

DARE TO BARE

“As we looked to design the next generation of Merrell Barefoot, we did a lot of listening and learning,” says Craig Throne, vice president of global marketing at Merrell. “We realized that the benefits of barefoot running should be leveraged to other activities where enthusiasts want a barefoot fit and ground feel but need a bit of protection. Our Merrell approach is simple, we work from the ground up knowing that the closer a runner is to his or her terrain, the better a runner’s form.”

Merrell’s new barefoot designs include styles for water sports, circuit training, and lifestyle needs.

Yogis and circuit-trainers alike will appreciate the natural motion that Merrell’s Train line of shoes encourages. The “Embark Glove” and “Sonic Glove” barefoot shoes for men offer next-to-skin protection and greater stability and sensory feedback. For women, the new “Lithe MJ Glove” provides a Mary Jane silhouette that’s tough enough for cross-training.

For water enthusiasts, Merrell has developed no less than eight models: the “Current Glove,” a water-repellent lace-up with drainage ports in the heel and toe; the “Rapid Glove,” a slip-on with an adjustable in-step webbing strap for a precise fit; the “Aqua Wrap,” a sandal with a double hook-and-loop closure; the “Battari Wrap,” an easy on-and-off sandal; the “Paciki Wrap,” a barefoot flip-flop; the “Pipidae Wrap,” which includes a three-strap closure system and secure heel; the “Hylidae Wrap,” a criss-cross strapped design with a toe loop; and the “River Glove,” a Mary Jane-style slide.

You don’t have to break a sweat to take advantage of the barefoot gait, however. Merrell’s “Edge Glove” sneaker and “Slant Glove” moccasin for men are designed so your soles land flat no matter what your speed. Choices abound for women, who can choose from the “Serene Glove,” a barefoot ballet slipper with an ankle ribbon; the “Delight Glove” casual moc; the Mary Jane-style “Wonder Glove,” the “Spirit Wrap” barefoot sandal; and the “Burst Wrap,” a barely there flip-flop.

Adventure is calling; time to rise up and meet it.

Ecouterre » Eco-Friendly Shoes

Ben Affleck Designs TOMS Shoes to Benefit Eastern Congo Initiative

Help Krže Studio Kickstart Its Luxury Vegan Footwear Collection

Google, Adidas Create “Talking” Sneaker That Nags You Into Exercising

PERSONAL TRAINERS

The Talking Shoe has an arsenal of 250 quippy phrases it can dish out like a snarky personal trainer or drill sergeant.

Charlize Theron, TOMS Team Up to Keep African Youth Safe From HIV

THIS WEEK IN ECOUTERRE: Charlize Theron Wears Dress Made With Beetle Wings in “Snow White and the Huntsman”

SUNNY DAYS

“The relationship I’ve had with TOMS is one that I cherish because none of us can do it alone,” Theron says.

Nike Debuts First Football Cleat Built Using 3D-Printing Technology

QUICK STEP

With 3D-printing, Nike was able to make design updates in a matter of hours rather than months.

Iverson’s Wooden Snowshoes Are Handmade in the United States

SNOW PLOWERS

Treat the snowshoes right and they’ll last three lifetimes.

+ Silent Glider $275; Beavertail $315; Bearpaw $330 at Kaufmann Mercantile+ Iverson

Nike’s “LeBron X” Basketball Shoe Features Genuine Cork

Anne Hathaway Wore Custom-Made Vegan Shoes for “Les Miserables” Role

CRUELTY-FREE KICKS

For her role in Les Miserables, Hathaway made sure her character’s shoes were animal-free.

L.L. Bean, Woolrich Collaborate on Made-in-Maine Footwear, Bag Collection

Fantich and Young’s “Apex Predator” Shoes Are Made With Human Dentures

SHOES THAT BITE

Fantich and Young outfitted a pair of black Savile Row by Barker oxfords with 1,050 repurposed plastic dentures.

Matt Bernson Repurposes EDUN’s African Textiles Into Camo-Print Shoes

Sole Footwear Finds New Use for Millions of Old Wine Corks

Lasso: A Flat-Pack Wool-Felt Slipper You Assemble Yourself

+ Lasso $30 at IndieGoGo+ Gaspard Tiné-Berès

Julia Skergeth Turns Heads (And Heels) With Stilettos Made With Rice

RICE, RICE, BABY

Skergeth spent weeks glueing rice grains on a template to create a silicone mold, which she then filled with bio-resin.

Converse, Missoni Recycle Deadstock Fabrics Into One-of-a-Kind Sneakers

CONVERSE x MISSONI ARCHIVE

The deadstock fabrics are “colorful, eclectic, and completely reinvigorated” by the juxtaposing colors and textures.

Stella McCartney Introduces Biodegradable Soles for Fall/Winter 2012

Clae Debuts Vegan Versions of Popular “Bruce,” “Strayhorn” Sneakers

+ Strayhorn (in Tan Canvas) $95; Bruce (in Blue Chambray, Black Denim, or Oatmeal Denim) $65+ Clae

TOMS’s Vegan-Friendly “Shark” Shoe Supports Marine Conservation

Biometric Shoe Identifies Individuals by the Way They Walk

SOLE CHECK

Todd Gray, the company’s president, claims that the system can ID a person within three steps.

FEED, DKNY Collaborate on “Survival” Collection to Fight Global Hunger

FEED THE WORLD

Each product provides a number of children with emergency food through the United Nations World Food Programme.

Dare To Go There: 6 Eco-Friendly Ways to Mix Neons With Prints

DO Mix Neutrals with Brights

DO Pull Complementary Colors

DO Pair Neon with More Muted Brights

DO Break Up Your Outfit with Accessories

DO Kick Out Clashing with Your Shoes

DON’T Be Afraid To Try Neon Accessories

Fake-Out Fashion: Women Paint Their Soles Red to Get the Louboutin Look

RED OR DEAD?

In 1992, Louboutin painted the bottom of a pair of shoes with an assistant’s nail polish to give them more “energy.”

Are Flip-Flops Bad for Your Feet?

FOOT FOLLY

Suno’s Upcycled-Fabric Sneakers Benefit Wildlife Conservation in Kenya

Tune Up Your Stride on Land or by Sea With Merrell’s Barefoot Footwear

DARE TO BARE

Merrell’s new barefoot designs include styles for water sports, circuit training, and lifestyle needs.

+ Silent Glider $275; Beavertail $315; Bearpaw $330 at Kaufmann Mercantile
+ Iverson

+ Lasso $30 at IndieGoGo
+ Gaspard Tiné-Berès

+ Strayhorn (in Tan Canvas) $95; Bruce (in Blue Chambray, Black Denim, or Oatmeal Denim) $65
+ Clae