F O OT W E A R N E W S . C O M / O C TO B E R 3 0 , 2 0 1 7 / @ F O OT W E A R N E W S

THE DIGITAL DEBUT

Birkenstock’s clever shearling update on the classic Arizona sandal is a powerful example of the new cool side of comfort.

THE WINNING SEASON

Why comfort is the hottest

thing going

CORE STRENGTH

How new launches and

top tech will drive spring

F O OT W E A R N E W S . C O M / O C TO B E R 3 0 , 2 0 1 7 / @ F O OT W E A R N E W S

THE

the fuzz factor

SCARE TACTICS

Designers on their best

Halloween costumes

F O OT W E A R N E W S . C O M / O C TO B E R 3 0 , 2 0 1 7 / @ F O OT W E A R N E W S

THE DIGITAL DEBUT

Birkenstock’s clever shearling update on the classic Arizona sandal is a powerful example of the new cool side of comfort.

THE WINNING SEASON

Why comfort is the hottest

thing going

CORE STRENGTH

How new launches and

top tech will drive spring

F O OT W E A R N E W S . C O M / O C TO B E R 3 0 , 2 0 1 7 / @ F O OT W E A R N E W S

THE

the fuzz factor

SCARE TACTICS

Designers on their best

Halloween costumes

easyspirit.com

MAKERS OF EASY

FN_Weekly_Full_Page_Bleed.indd 1 10/25/17 9:01 AM

3FO OT W E A R N EWS.CO M

The most-read stories on FootwearNews.com last week.

T R A F F I C R E P O R T

3. REESE WITH-ERSPOON AND

MORE CELEBS AT THE ELLE WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD AWARDS

From black peep-toe sandals

to white block-heel loafers, Reese

Witherspoon, Kristen Stewart,

Nikki Reed and many more wore

a variety of styles for the cocktail

attire soiree.

5. BEYONCÉ ROCKS HEAD-TO-TOE OFF-WHITEQueen Bey repped Virgil Abloh’s

designs this week in a cropped

hoodie, sporty pencil skirt and

pink-soled sandals. The pop

star showed of the look on her

Instagram.

4. RIHANNA WORE AN ALL-PINK LOOK WITH FURRY HEELS YOU WON’T FORGETThe singer and shoe designer

sported a millennial pink

ensemble with fur-embellished

slip-on stilettos.

2. THIS SIMPLE SHOE HACK WILL MAKE YOUR OLD SNEAKERS LOOK BRAND-NEW AGAINTwitter user @saratraceyy

shared how to clean

Converses with a baking

soda and detergent

concoction, topped off with

baby powder, and the internet

went nuts. The images

received over 10,000

likes.

1THONG JEANS AND

DIRTY SNEAKERS HIT THE RUNWAY AT TOKYO

FASHION WEEKThibaut seriously challenged expectations

with daring thong jeans at Tokyo Fashion

Week on Oct. 17. The pants were styled with

an oatmeal-colored long-sleeve bodysuit,

gray sneakers and see-through glasses

on the runway.

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Balenciaga adds height to a Crocs clog for spring ‘18.4

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COMFORT INCore comfort

players are having a major

moment. Why the category

is suddenly at the center of

fashion.

By Barbara Schneider-Levy

MANOLO BLAHNIK LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Stan Smith

PERSON OF THE YEAR

Victor Luis

COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Steven Madden Ltd.

SHOE OF THE YEAR

Air Jordan 1 x Virgil Abloh

DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

Gianvito Rossi

ICON AWARD FOR SOCIAL IMPACT

Diane Sullivan

BRAND OF THE YEAR

Birkenstock

COLLABORATOR OF THE YEAR

Ronnie Fieg

MARKETER OF THE YEAR

Puma

LAUNCHES OF THE YEAR

Alexa Chung, Attico

STYLE INFLUENCER

Hailey Baldwin

VIVIAN INFANTINO EMERGING TALENT AWARD

Malone Souliers

A C H I E V E M E N T A W A R D S

HALL OF FAME

Rick Ausick, Liz Rodbell

Be a part of this special issue celebrating 2017’s highest achievers, innovators and icons.

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Comfort is in the air — from food to furniture to footwear. ➵ While comfort shoes have typically conjured up images of dowdy orthopedic styles, the category has recently taken a cool turn as brands such as Crocs, Birkenstock and Dansko are getting a nod from high-profile designers and retailers. ➵ For spring ’18, ready-to-wear designers Christopher Kane and Balenciaga put their spin on Crocs styles, while fall ’17 saw sneaker boutique Concepts collaborate with French brand Mephisto on a limited-edition collection. And Birkenstock took center stage with its Barneys New York and Colette collaborations. ➵ “Leave it to Demna Gvasalia [Balenciaga’s artistic director] to take something so pedes-trian and make it a must-have,” said Cleo Davis-Urman, contemporary fashion director for Saks Fifth Avenue, referring to the design house’s blinged-out platform at Paris Fashion Week. “While they certainly aren’t for everyone, they remind us that fashion could be fun and will undoubtedly be worn by the street-style set come spring.”

For Niwot, Colo.-based Crocs, the collaboration opened up new

design opportunities. “When Balenciaga approached us, we were

intrigued by the opportunity to push the boundaries of our design and

molding capabilities to see what we could create together,” said Michelle

Poole, SVP of global product and marketing. “Working with Balenciaga

has been so much fun for our team and once again demonstrates the

relevance of our iconic clog in today’s fashion and design world, as well

as allowing us to tap into the excitement and energy that comes from

unexpected partnerships.”

Crocs isn’t the only comfort brand that has caught the eye of designers.

When New York-based ready-to-wear designer Jonathan Cohen was look-

ing for a clog to complement his spring ’18 runway collection, he found

just the thing in Dansko’s Sonja, a black patent leather style he bought

on Amazon.com. “We thought immediately it would look perfect with the

[collection],” said Cohen of working with his stylist. “We had planned to

use it for one or two looks, but it kept working with all of them. We even

used it with evening gowns.”

Cohen’s Dansko pick was as much about style as wearability. “We see

our customer traveling, working and [valuing] comfort,” he said. “She’s

always looking for that shoe that will be able to transition from the offi ce

to a function. That did it for us.”

According to Cohen, his unexpected footwear choice caught the atten-

tion of the fashion media. “Vogue wrote about it, and a lot of editors were

really into it,” he noted. “Buyers also liked the idea. A lot were wearing

clogs but said they never thought about a Dansko.” While fashion buzz

can be helpful, it’s equally important that the brand is authentic, accord-

ing to Tiss Dahan, VP of marketing at Dansko. “Consumers are seeking

the real deal and know a brand like Dansko is authentic and comfortable.

Whenever they walk into their doctor’s offi ce, there’s a pretty good chance

they’ll see a nurse wearing our shoes. These people are on their feet all

day, so they automatically think there’s something to it.”

Ellen Sideri, founder and CEO of ESP Trendlab, a New York-based

research and consulting fi rm, said the increased excitement around

comfort can be felt in many areas. “It’s growing across all sectors of

fashion and footwear, fueled by the trend toward athleisure, relaxed

work styles as well as living healthier lifestyles,” she said. “Being kind to

your feet and treating them well is a new priority that goes beyond

the pedicure. Therefore, it’s no surprise that alternate choices like fl ats,

Birkies, Dansko and Crocs are carving out new territory in the consum-

er’s closet, taking the place of high heels that kill and shoes that

are worn only for special occasions.”

Few brands understand this market shift better than Birkenstock,

which continues to lead in attracting fashion insiders. In addition to a

BACK TO THE FUTURE

✦ Iconic comfort brands have had other cool moments over the years. In fall ’95, American ready-to-wear designer John Bartlett sent models down the runway in colorful updates of Hush Puppies’ classic Earl, Wayne and Duke styles. And seven years later, Carrie Bradshaw turned on a whole new generation to the Original Exercise sandals from Dr. Scholl’s when she wore them in “Sex and the City.”

According to Kerry Hartman, VP of global product for Hush Puppies in Rockford, Mich., Bartlett came to the company with the updating idea, which resulted in a co-branded collection. Today, the momentum continues with the spring ’18 launch of the Decades collection of limited-edition men’s styles that celebrate the brand’s 60-year heritage inspired by pop culture and trends of the times.

“Decades is about authenticity and heritage, so we picked the most classic reinvention of the Wayne, Earl and Duke using [similar] lasts and bottoms to craft anniversary shoes,” said Hartman. “It’s [about] a new generation getting to see us, not for our old comfort side but our cheeky, colorful, cool side.”

For Dr. Scholl’s, a nod rom Sarah Jessica Parker’s famous TV character was enough to send fashionistas clamoring for the sandal. “It’s our most iconic shoe and has enjoyed various peaks of high consumer interest since it was created,” said Keith Duplain, SVP and GM. Following the TV episode, the brand saw increased sales, and the shoe returned to the forefront of fashion for the fi rst time since the ’70s. “Since then, it has garnered interest with editors and infl uencers alike, most recently due to a 2016 collaboration with J.Crew,” he said.

Like Hush Puppies and Dr. Scholl’s, Clarks has racked up its share of buzz. In 1993, the brand appeared on the Wu-Tang Clan’s debut album, “Enter the 36 Chambers,” each member wearing a pair of the Clarks Originals Wallabee, sparking young consumers to embrace the look. This year, the British brand collaborated with hip-hop artist Drake and his OVO record label on a collection, introducing yet another generation to the classic comfort style.

“Clarks Originals was formed around two main icons, the Desert Boot and Wallabee, but has expanded into sport, dress and casual categories,” said SVP of marketing Tara McRae regarding the Desert Boot, which fi rst appeared at the 1949 Chicago Shoe Fair, and the Wallabee, introduced in the ’60s. “They have both been popular cross-generationally as they are rediscovered and made new for younger consumers.

“Collabs with tastemakers like OVO, Supreme and Kith allow for Clarks Originals to reach another subset altogether — the consumer who wants what’s new and exclusive but understands [both] are icons in their own right. They don’t want a knocko¢ version from another brand; they want the original.”

Original Exercise sandal from Dr. Scholl’s

Hush Puppies’Decades oxford

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Pre-FFANYISSUE Nov 20CLOSE DATE Nov 8

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range of designer and retail collaborations, this spring the brand

presented its first runway show. “Brands like Birkenstock have

gained a large following with influencers,” said David Kahan, CEO

of Birkenstock Americas in Novato, Calif. “It’s now beyond just a

trend, one of the rare times in industry history when the demand

is growing across multiple channels. It’s the Hollywood elite like

Julianne Moore, Leonardo DiCaprio, yet also teenagers and college

students in Middle America.”

During New York Fashion Week, Barneys partnered with Birken-

stock on “The Box,” a shipping container-turned-pop-up store in the

Meatpacking District featuring exclusive styles from Birkenstock and

other brands.“They are an incredibly talented company and were

willing to do things they hadn’t done before,” CEO Daniella Vitale told

the WWD summit crowd last week. The project attracted both loyal

Barneys shoppers and a host of new consumers.

Getting product in front of consumers often starts with making the

right retail connections. For Santa Monica, Calif.-based retailer and

lifestyle brand Goop, founded by Gwyneth Paltrow, Birkenstock was a

must-have in its shoe offering, according to Meredith Schroeder, design

director of fashion, who added the brand for spring ’17. “There’s been

a migration to having comfort as an important part of the footwear

we wear every day,” she said. “The fact that it also has a cool factor has

been significant. It’s an important shoe to Gwyneth, so we wanted to

make sure we have it in our assortment since our customer gravitates

toward it as well.”

Concepts president Tarek Hassan, who has collaborated with

Birkenstock and Clarks, decided to reach out to Mephisto. “[It’s] not

every comfort brand but the authentic ones where it makes sense,”

he said. “We [wanted] to go to young consumers and explain what

Mephisto is all about. We feel the consumer would understand why

stores such as Barneys New York or Concepts of the world want to

collaborate with them. It’s brands that stay within their lane.”

Hassan worked with the Mephisto team in France on the update

of its classic Match lace-up style. The result was an updated version in

magenta and cool mint that retailed for $375. Available on the Concepts

website as well as its stores in New York and Cambridge, Mass., it sold

out of a few hundred pairs in under an hour, and Hassan noted that a

second collaboration is planned for next year for the Rainbow style.

While trend-driven retailers such as Cambridge-based Concepts are

promoting comfort, the category remains the domain of independent

shoe stores. At independent Soula of Brooklyn, N.Y., owner Rick Lee

noted: “People are looking for shoes that are functional and comfort-

able [after] wearing sneakers,” he said.

John Holden, GM of fashion-comfort chain Benjamin Lovell Shoes

in Philadelphia, agreed there’s room at the table for lesser-known

comfort brands. “A lot of [younger customers] have been seeking

Birkenstock, and we’ve been able to convert them into styles from

comfort brands such as Taos, Earth and Vionic.”

The current democratization of the category is likely to keep the

momentum going. “It’s not the older customer of the past [with] foot

problems,” said Sal Agati, president of Dansko. ❚

❚

“There’s been a migration to having comfort as an important

part of the footwear we wear every day. The fact that it also has a

cool factor has been significant.”Meredith Schroeder, Goop

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9

Costume Show Designers discuss their favorite Halloween outfits from years past.

By Nikara Johns

JESSICA SIMPSONMy costume this year: “Keeping it a surprise! My husband and I like to do a ‘couples costume’ … I don’t think this year will disappoint.”Best Halloween memory: “That would have to be when I announced my fi rst pregnancy with my daughter Maxwell. I thought it would be fun to make a nontraditional announcement, so I put a mummy costume together, took a picture of myself in it and sent out the photo saying: ‘I’m going to be a mummy!’”My traditions: “I love Halloween, and I love traditions. Since I have had my kids, I’ve hosted a Halloween party for all of my friends and their families. It’s amazing to watch the group multiply as more little

ones are added to the mix each year. And I love seeing them all express themselves through their costumes.”

CHRISTIAN SIRIANOMy costume this year: “I love to dress up for

Halloween, and we usually go all-out. My husband and I are normally the type of couple that complements one another, and this year we are going as a crystallized king and queen.”Best Halloween memory: “Some of the costumes we have come up with are fun to look back on. We have been tons of Disney characters, such as Ariel and Prince Eric [from “The Little Mermaid”], Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, and Lumiere and Babette from [“Beauty and the Beast”]. But I think the best was our Picasso paintings costumes. They were amaz-ing. Also, making Heidi Klum’s Jessica Rabbit gown last year was so fun.” My traditions: “We always throw a big party with friends and try to stop by Heidi Klum’s bash because

it’s amazing to see what she has cooked up. My favorite fall tradition is apple picking Connecticut and carving pumpkins at our house in Danbury.” LOEFFLER RANDALL’S JESSIE RANDALLMy costume this year: “I’m defi nitely more the one coordinating all the other costumes in my house versus dressing up myself. This year we’ve got a panda, ninja and Sia.”Best Halloween memory: “My daughter usu-ally has awesome ideas for costumes. Last year she went as Sophia from ‘The Golden Girls,’ and it was amazing.”My traditions: “We love to go to Hank’s Pumpkintown [Water Mill, N.Y.] with the kids to do all the fall things. They have a Halloween party at their school, and then we trick or treat in Windsor Terrace [Brook-lyn, N.Y.], which is super-fun.”

Closet ConfessionsWhich Kardashi-an-Jenner sister has the best shoe closet? “Hands down, it’s Khloe.

Hers is like a museum,” family matriarch Kris Jenner told Spy backstage at the WWD Summit last week. “Architecturally, it’s gorgeous. And she has the best shoes I’ve ever seen.” Jenner, who sat down with friend Tommy Hilfiger onstage, also talked about how social media has powered her family: “The whole mar-keting budget [my kids] need is the

price of a smartphone.” — Katie Abel

Suitcase ChroniclesUnseasonably warm fall weather on the East Coast has impacted style choices for most — but not Vera Wang. Due to apartment renovations, the designer has resided in a hotel since June, lead-ing to the happy accident of a weather-appropriate wardrobe. “I’m basically living in spring and summer clothes, so I never had to transition. I’ve been living out of a suitcase and a few racks,” she told FN at the WWD Honors last week. Fall-forward shoes still reign, however. “Loafers and booties feel more fall just by the shoe. Whether [you’re wearing] a Charmeuse slip or a sweater, the shoe will change the mood,” Wang said. — Nia Groce

Spy

INSIDER

Plus

h Li

feThe coolest comfort shoes of the holiday season are warm and cozy, with furry accents (real or faux) on slippers, slides and sandals, all of which are meant to be worn in and out of the house.Photography:GEORGE CHINSEEFashion Editor: SHANNON ADDUCCI

10

From top: MIRA MIKATI multicolor faux fur slide. REBECCA MINKOFF color-blocked mink fur Sammi slide sandal.

Caption

This ready-to-wear designer has a footwear fetish. Robert Stock, the founder of men’s and women’s apparel and accessories label Robert Graham, collects shoes like fi ne wines. He boasts an assortment of custom and ready-made styles numbering in the thousands. “I look at shoes as art,” said Stock. “I look at their workmanship and details. To me, they’re like little sculptures.” Starting this fall, he can step into a pair of his own creation, when his men’s shoe line launches under license to LJP International. It retails from $200 to $500. “Men don’t pay as much attention to shoes as the rest of their outfi t,” said the designer, who hopes to lure them into his velvet-trimmed hiking boots or snakeskin tasseled slip-ons. According to Stock, a companion women’s line could follow. “It’s a possibility, but it’s tremendously competitive. It would take a lot of planning and study to top some of [today’s major labels].” Until then, the men’s line retails in high-end department stores, footwear independents and Robert Graham shops. And Stock can be found grilling dinner, collecting cars or keeping in touch with his wife.

Best/Worst Thing About Getting Older:

“Best: You get wiser. Worst: getting out of bed in the morning.”

Best Fashion Advice I Got From My Father:

“You can never own enough good-looking blue shirts”

My Main Household Job Is... “Barbeque. I’m just a

regular barbeque guy. I will cook anything”

Comfi est Chair for Napping: “A leather chair with

ottoman that I bought in North Carolina. I’m always guaranteed to

fall asleep in it”

Number of Cars in My Driveway: “Enough”

Celebrity I’d Like to Sit Next To In-Flight: “Bill Clinton. He’s smart, interesting and

tireless.”

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SUBHEAD XXXXXXBold Brand is the latest designer to hit the bull’s-eye. The designer has teamed up with Target for a fall collec-tion. “I feel more accountable with this project because it’s not reaching a small, niche market — it’s reaching mil-lions of people series, set for a Sept. 15 launch, features more than 100 di� erent products for men and women, includ-ing accessories and shoes. “I focused on the idea of romanced reality,” he said.

SUBHEAD XXXXXXEmail may be an unglamorous calling card for a calligrapher, but for artist Emily Snyder, a quick note of praise to one of her favorite shoe designers — Jerome Rousseau — sparked an exciting coles and “chic eccentric” vibe (according to Rousseau), grabbed the designer’s attention. “She was a multicolored work of pair of Rousseau’s booties with 7,000 beads of coral, freshwajust in time for Jerome to pick them up at 4 a.m. to go to the airport to fl y to New York.” The look retails for $6,495.Pawn Pals

SUBHEAD XXXXXXIf designer Paul Mayer and partner Je� Levy get the urge to go antique-shopping while in Vegas for FN Platform, they certainly have the hookup. The footwear veterans met “Pawn Stars” ago. The three have been friends ever since. In fact, Mayer and Levy attended Harrison’s lavish California wedding to Deanna Burditt earlier this summer. “[Rick] knows about so many

06/ Buzz

The List 24

Name of Shoe

05/GoodTaste

Holiday slippers took a cue from the hygge movement, from a Danish term defined as “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality.”

Clockwise, from top: ACORN suede and Berber fl eece moccasin in bu� popcorn.BEARPAW Tribeca slipper in taupe.UGG Flu� Momma Mongolian sheepskin clog. EMU AUSTRALIA Mayberry slide slippers in Australian sheepskin.

11

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From top: SIMONE ROCHA faux-fur and velvet mule with Perspex heel. SERGIO ROSSI green geometric fur and leather slipper.SUECOMMA BONNIE fur- and faux-pearl-embellished Hug platform sandal.

Block heels and flatforms — tried-and-true comfort details — get a luxe update in fur paired with ornate accents.

Caption

This ready-to-wear designer has a footwear fetish. Robert Stock, the founder of men’s and women’s apparel and accessories label Robert Graham, collects shoes like fi ne wines. He boasts an assortment of custom and ready-made styles numbering in the thousands. “I look at shoes as art,” said Stock. “I look at their workmanship and details. To me, they’re like little sculptures.” Starting this fall, he can step into a pair of his own creation, when his men’s shoe line launches under license to LJP International. It retails from $200 to $500. “Men don’t pay as much attention to shoes as the rest of their outfi t,” said the designer, who hopes to lure them into his velvet-trimmed hiking boots or snakeskin tasseled slip-ons. According to Stock, a companion women’s line could follow. “It’s a possibility, but it’s tremendously competitive. It would take a lot of planning and study to top some of [today’s major labels].” Until then, the men’s line retails in high-end department stores, footwear independents and Robert Graham shops. And Stock can be found grilling dinner, collecting cars or keeping in touch with his wife.

Best/Worst Thing About Getting Older:

“Best: You get wiser. Worst: getting out of bed in the morning.”

Best Fashion Advice I Got From My Father:

“You can never own enough good-looking blue shirts”

My Main Household Job Is... “Barbeque. I’m just a

regular barbeque guy. I will cook anything”

Comfi est Chair for Napping: “A leather chair with

ottoman that I bought in North Carolina. I’m always guaranteed to

fall asleep in it”

Number of Cars in My Driveway: “Enough”

Celebrity I’d Like to Sit Next To In-Flight: “Bill Clinton. He’s smart, interesting and

tireless.”

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The List dek Cepe volupis aliqui ets nimusam, voleceatiis etras mosantium laut

minis sum fuga. Itas pliquatecto etur, quam incit re sandam el excernat aris ma sant alibus in molectusant ad ma sequi ditam voluptam etur si aut ut untio.

SUBHEAD XXXXXXBold Brand is the latest designer to hit the bull’s-eye. The designer has teamed up with Target for a fall collec-tion. “I feel more accountable with this project because it’s not reaching a small, niche market — it’s reaching mil-lions of people series, set for a Sept. 15 launch, features more than 100 di� erent products for men and women, includ-ing accessories and shoes. “I focused on the idea of romanced reality,” he said.

SUBHEAD XXXXXXEmail may be an unglamorous calling card for a calligrapher, but for artist Emily Snyder, a quick note of praise to one of her favorite shoe designers — Jerome Rousseau — sparked an exciting coles and “chic eccentric” vibe (according to Rousseau), grabbed the designer’s attention. “She was a multicolored work of pair of Rousseau’s booties with 7,000 beads of coral, freshwajust in time for Jerome to pick them up at 4 a.m. to go to the airport to fl y to New York.” The look retails for $6,495.Pawn Pals

SUBHEAD XXXXXXIf designer Paul Mayer and partner Je� Levy get the urge to go antique-shopping while in Vegas for FN Platform, they certainly have the hookup. The footwear veterans met “Pawn Stars” ago. The three have been friends ever since. In fact, Mayer and Levy attended Harrison’s lavish California wedding to Deanna Burditt earlier this summer. “[Rick] knows about so many

06/ Buzz

The List 24

Name of Shoe

05/GoodTaste

“There is something incredibly gentle about feathers and shearling. For me, and our customer, there is a need to feel enveloped.”Aurora James, founder of Brother Vellies

Clockwise, from top:3.1 PHILLIP LIM shearling Cube mule. BROTHER VELLIES Maribou Lamu sandal in melon. SAM EDELMAN Bianca faux-fur slide sandal.

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W h a t ' s n e w a n d n o t a b l e i n t h e c o m f o r t m a r k e t ? P l e n t y o f t e c h i n n o v a t i o n s , d e s i g n e n h a n c e m e n t s ,

s t o r e o p e n i n g s a n d b u z z - b u i l d i n g c a m p a i g n s .

BY ERIKA FLYNN

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A footbed sandal from Sanosan

Earth’s new Vital athleisure style

The Marnie sneaker from San Antonio Shoemakers

Klogs' everydayAtlantic Collection

THE INTREPID RETAILER: SASIn 2017, San Antonio Shoemakers was in

retail expansion mode. The brand opened

three stores during the year, securing spots in

Chicago, Tucson, Ariz., and Palm Harbor, Fla.

And execs said it continues to be on the lookout

for additional locations. On the product side,

SAS announced launches for spring ’18, includ-

ing the Layla, a versatile wedge sandal retailing

for $150; the Marnie, a lightweight athleisure

look priced at $156; and the Dazzle, a blinged-

out sandal style at $162.

THE DEALMAKER: EUROWALKINGHouston-based Eurowalking has acquired

the exclusive North American distribution

for the Spanish brand Sanosan Foot Comfort.

Made in Spain, the Sanosan line features

its patented Sietelunas technology, which

utilizes the art of reflexology and magnetic

therapy. Through anatomic design using

all-natural cork and rubber footbeds with

HSQ memory foam, the construction

provides perfect harmony for the body,

from the ground up. Sanosan is now

available for orders in the U.S., where

retail prices range from $85 to $140.

THE TEAM BUILDER: EARTHEarth has had a busy 2017. The Waltham, Mass.-

based company hired longtime Clarks veteran

Steven Mahoney this summer as its SVP of sales

and merchandising. Mahoney is now overseeing

all aspects of sales for the brand, from indepen-

dent retailers to key accounts, as well as handling

merchandising duties. The firm also opened an

office in Oakville, Ontario, in April. The office is

headed by Marc Lambert, formerly of Easy Spirit.

And on the product side, for spring ’18, Earth has

developed the new Vital sneaker in an assortment

of lively colors. It features a lightweight, sporty

outsole and a breathable fabric mesh upper, and

will retail for $120.

THE LIFESTYLE INGENUE: KLOGSKlogs, a division of Latitudes Inc., is

garnering positive reviews for its spring ’18

expansion into lifestyle wear with the Atlantic

Collection. Modeled off the Pacific Collection,

which debuted last spring, the Atlantic line

was inspired by the finish of designer bags

and mixed-media accessories, and pairs with

both professional and more-fashionable

apparel looks. Retailing for $110, the

footwear offers the comfort of a work shoe

and the tailored sophistication of a casual

style. It comes in a wide selection of textures,

colors, finishes and sizes, and features

soft leather and a strobel construction for

flexibility and comfort. Klogs’ polyurethane

sole technology helps to redistribute weight

evenly, stabilize the heel and provide comfort

over extended periods of time. Delivery of

the collection is slated for March 1, with

distribution targeted to lifestyle retailers

and hospitality channels.

Propét's updated knit Washable Walker sneaker

The Dani Collection from Alegria

THE LINE BUILDER: ALEGRIAPeppergate Footwear’s Alegria brand is introduc-

ing new styles for spring ’18, including the Anah

and Dani collections. The Anah series, retailing

for $90, is made with a polyurethane platform,

wood grain-patterned footbed and vibrant suede

leather uppers. The styles also boast two adjust-

able hook-and-loop straps for a comfortable fit.

Meanwhile, the Dani Collection, priced at $130,

consists of laceups on a mild rocker bottom. The

shoes feature the company’s Dream Fit technology,

with open-cell neoprene on the upper that adjusts

to accommodate the contours of the feet and

increases comfort and breathability. The lines will

be carried by larger department store accounts,

independent retailers and e-commerce sites such

as Zappos.com.

SNEAKER CENTRAL: PROPÉTThree new ladies’ sneaker designs have been

added to Propét’s spring ’18 line for the service

and medical fields. The Nessie, Nyla and Aris styles

all feature a removable cushioning EVA insole,

an EVA midsole and slip-resistant rubber outsole.

Most are skater sneaker-inspired and follow the

Propét brand’s DNA of offering a range of sizes

and widths, including medium, wide, X-wide

and XX-wide. Retail prices range from $70 to $75.

Additionally, the Kent, Wash.-based company

has updated its popular slip-resistant Washable

Walker sneaker, offering a modern new look with

a breathable engineered-mesh upper.

THE FULL PACKAGE: BARETRAPS Baretraps, a division of Footwear Unlimited

Inc., continues to bank on its patent-pending

Rebound Technology. For spring ’18, the

Rebound Collection will offer its most fashion-

forward styles yet, boasting on-trend details

such as perforated suede uppers, denim mate-

rials, ruching and “undone” bows. Baretraps’

Rebound Technology is a multilayered system

centered around a lightweight molded rubber

outsole with built-in arch support. The multi-

density construction provides a solid base at

the heel for stability, plus flexibility at the ball

of the foot. It’s then finished with a textured,

ultracushioned foam footbed with an antimicro-

bial shield for odor and bacteria control.

Baretraps' Vida slide for spring ’18

E D I T C A L E N D A R

November ISSUE CLOSE FEATURES

11.06 10.25 Sneakerhead, FN Milestone: Extra Butter FN Insights: Technology Distribution: NSRA Leadership Conference Nov.8-9 (TN)

11.20 11.08 FN Legends: Titan Industries’ Joe Ouaknine FFANY Pre-Show Slippers FN Insights: Education Distribution: FFANY - Nov. 29-Dec.1 Two Ten Footwear Annual Dinner-Nov. 29

11.27 11.15 FN Achievement Awards FFANY Show Distribution: FN Achievement Awards -Nov. 28 FFANY-Nov. 29-Dec. 1

December ISSUE CLOSE FEATURES

12.04 11.22 Women’s Comfort FN Insights: Finance

12.18 12.06 International Trade Show Guide: 1st Half 2018 Year In Review FN Insights: Best Innovations Distribution: Agenda (Long Beach) Jan. 4-5

FN_EDITCAL_10.04.indd 1 10/25/17 2:06 PM

THE INNOVATOR: YELLOW BOXIt’s all about the feel for Yellow Box. The Brea,

Calif.-based footwear company has developed a

high-rebound EVA compound that has a higher

resiliency than the soft EVA found in its flip-

flops, giving the wearer a noticeable feeling of

bounce. For spring ’18, it utilized the cushion-

ing for styles such as the Cander, which boasts

a sport-inspired elastic upper and slingback

design, and also for a new collection of unit-

bottom shoes. But Yellow Box’s traditional

soft EVA footbed remains a key component in

the family. The brand introduced a group of

low cork sandals for spring and added the soft

material from the flip-flops to the footbed of

flexible cork-wrapped bottoms.

THE BUZZ MAKER: BEARPAWAfter launching its first TV campaign last fall,

Bearpaw is returning to the airwaves with a

series of national spots that start airing on

Oct. 31. They will appear on cable networks such

as Freeform, HGTV, Lifetime and Hallmark, and

have placements on broadcast shows including

“Live With Kelly & Ryan” and “Access Holly-

wood.” Bearpaw has also secured some product

integrations with the long-running game show

“The Price Is Right.” To help keep the buzz going

into 2018, the California brand has launched

the Weekend Collection for spring ’18, consist-

ing of a mix of boho-chic and clean silhouettes,

including lightweight booties and slip-ons that

feature cushioned EVA footbeds. And its first

Trans-Seasonal Collection will be available in

June. Suitable for any season, the line features a

lightweight and breathable material that adapts

accordingly to temperature and wicks moisture.

THE ENVIRONMENTALIST: EL NATURALISTAThe inspiration for El Naturalista’s newest

collection for spring ’18 comes from its

sustainability platform and caring for planet

Earth. The collection boasts eco-friendly

A style from Bearpaw's spring ’18 Weekend Collection

Yellow Box's Cander wedge

A spring ’18 El Naturalista sandal

technical details, such as a fabric created from

a type of seaweed that is also used for shoe care

products. In addition, seashells were added to

the soles to make them strong and resistant,

durable excess sailcloth was incorporated into

the shoes, and the soles feature a recycled braid

thread made from plastic bottles and clothes.

The collection also has a new vegan and chrome-

free lining.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

For breaking news, the hottest shoe sightings and must-have trends

Join more than 77K followers @footwearnews

FN_HAD_INSTAGRAM_1/4.indd 2 6/26/17 12:27 PM

18 FO OT W E A R N EWS.CO M

Pick

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Thibaut took comfort to a new level during Tokyo Fashion Week this month. At the Japanese brand’s spring ’18 show, heavily tattered jeans featuring a showstopping thong silhouette were sent down the runway with grungy New Balance 993 sneakers. The risqué look whipped the internet into a frenzy as fashion critics expressed how torn they were on the idea.

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Create anAdventureISSUE Jan 22CLOSE DATE Jan 10

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT LAUREN SCHOR, ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER AT 212 256 8118 OR LSCHOR@FOOTWEARNEWS.COM

Outdoor Retailer Winter Issue

outdoor retail house ad .indd 2 10/19/17 10:39 AM

In 2017, Ccilu unveiled the “Horizon” collection, a major step in the evolution of the fashionable sneaker. Each pair is bottomed-up with 102 independent and highly resilient “dots,” courtesy of the patented CCILUCELL/SKIVE-ON technology.

...and your next step is clear

www.ccilu.com

technology.

@cciluusa

WOD_CCILUAds_Shadow.indd 1 10/25/17 5:34 PM