Footwear Plus

Spanish brand Animas Code docks on U.S. shores for Spring/Summer 2014. A combination of design, quality materials and craftsmanship is used on a range of footwear for men, women and children featuring everything from French box calf leather to natural jute soles. 

Last night, the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) held its 35th Annual American Image Awards aboard the Intrepid, Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City. The location was fitting, as this year's awards helped benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization that supports veterans' recovery when they return home. Many military members were in attendance, members of the West Point Alumni Glee Club serenaded guests several times throughout the ceremony, ending the event with the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Adidas Outdoor continues to expand its offering and target the next generation of outdoor athletes for Fall '13. "Our big style specific push for [the season] is the Terrex Fast X GTX for both men and women. Having just won the prestigious Outside Magazine Gear of the Year Award for the best hiking boot for 2013, this style should be on every one of our dealers' shelves," says Managing Director Greg Thomsen.

New Balance is the official apparel and footwear sponsor for this year's Brooklyn Half-Marathon, part of its multi-year agreement with New York Road Runners. Taking place this Saturday, May 18, the race will take runners from Prospect Park, through Grand Army Plaza and end in Coney Island.

Working with children might seem like fun, but it's not always peaches and cream. In fact, it can be downright difficult--and icky--at times. Tamsin Carlson, owner of Wee Soles in Silver Lake, CA, reveals just how challenging it can be and how, sometimes, childish parents are half the battle. Sound familiar?

Naughty not nice: "Discipline is my biggest issue with parenting right now," Carlson says, revealing that a child once slapped her in the face and the mother didn't even apologize.

From the streets of Pa'ia to the trails of Haleakala, Hawaii is rich in local culture and natural history--something that OluKai Founder Bill Worthington has always celebrated and supported. This past weekend, the Irvine, CA-based brand did both, hosting its fifth annual Ho'olaule'a Ocean Festival in Maui. More than 2,000 locals and festival goers, as well as athletes and representatives from REI, Zappos and Sports Chalet, descended on the island for two days of canoe sailing, surfing, luau, hula and live music. 

In the never-ending search for shoes that are truly comfortable and stylish, Rockport is once again pushing the envelope for Fall '13, offering a collection of soft-fitting shoes made with lightweight stability in styles that don't make you look like one of the Twelve Apostles.

Target today announced it's collaborating with purveyor of downtown cool Phillip Lim on a fall collection for men and women. Hitting stores and online on September 15, 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target features a range of apparel and accessories in a neutral palette, including shoes, bags and travel accessories. Prices for the 100-plus pieces range from $19.99 to $299.99. "Phillip is a designer we've had our eye on for years. His aesthetic is modern and sophisticated and he shares Target's vision of democratizing design," says Trish Adams, senior vice president of merchandising.

As street-friendly as most sportswear brands insist their minimalist running shoes are, they're still running shoes, and no amount of neon will change that. Which is where Nike (as usual) comes in. CEO and designer Mark Parker, Nike design legend Tinker Hatfield and style ambassador Hiroshi Fujiwara teamed up to deliver a new chapter in the brand's Flyknit technology story: the Flyknit Chukka, blending the clean, modern style of the chukka boot with lightweight performance innovation.

Even though tuition can cost as little as $10 per year in some developing countries, 75 million children lack access to education. After witnessing the debilitating effects of poverty in Central America, Oliver Shuttlesworth resolved to create a sustainable solution that would equip children in developing countries with the tools needed to build a brighter future for themselves and their communities for generations to come. The philosophy behind Esporos was born: buy a bag, send a child in need to school for a year.