Footwear Plus

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Targeted in Shoe Toss

Apparently the shoe is now on the other foot, so to speak. First it was former President George W. Bush who was the intended target of a shoe tossed in protest by an angry Iraqi journalist protesting the U.S.-led invasion in 2008. And now a 45-year-old Iranian textile worker, who has been out of work for a year and disgruntled about receiving no unemployment benefits, threw his shoe in protest yesterday at President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, according to an Iranian website.

Left, right... What's the Difference? Designer John Fluevog introduces fashion industry first, the Omni, a shoe that allows wearers to no longer have to determine which is the right or left version thanks to its revolutionary one-size fits both feet design.

In response to the recent earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan, Dansko has committed $125,000 in shoes and financial aid to industry charity Soles4Souls. Dansko employees made monetary donations with the West Grove, PA-based company matching each dollar contributed.

Are you stuck in airport limbo waiting out another flight delay? Have you exhausted yourself with all of the techy time sucks found on your smart phone? Does your iPod seem like you've heard it all before?

For those first-class male passengers flying Virgin Atlantic that may fall into any such categories, the carrier is offering a new way to pass the time in its Clubhouse lounge in London's Heathrow airport: a 360-degree, 3D digital foot scanning device, courtesy of the Left Shoe Company, a luxury men's brand out of Finland.

In homage to Carmelo Anthony's Syracuse University playing days, the Jordan Brand will debut an orange colorway of the Melo M7 Future Sole during tonight's Knicks-Pistons game. In addition, in paying tribute to Syracuse University's 2003 national championship team of which Anthony was a star, the shoe will be sported by members of the Syracuse University men's basketball team as it opens NCAA tournament competition against Indiana State.

New Balance has signed on to be the official athletic shoe and compression apparel partner for off-bike training for the Garmin-Cervelo pro cycling team this year. As part of the arrangement, New Balance will provide athletic footwear and compression apparel to the team of 64 riders for all off-bike activities as part of their conditioning program.

The No. 30 Germain Racing team, led by reigning Truck Series Champ Todd Bodine, will proudly wear the Georgia Boot logo as an associate sponsor for the entire 2011 season. In addition, Georgia Boot will be the primary sponsor of the No. 30 Georgia Boot Tundra at Kentucky Speedway in July.

For each pair of women's Numentum shoes sold through OnlineShoes.com this month, Ahnu, a division of Deckers Outdoor, will donate $5 to the Breast Cancer Fund, the leading organization working to identify and eliminate the environmental causes of breast cancer. It's all a part of Ahnu's "Prevention Mission" to raise $100,000 for the Breast Cancer Fund this spring. In April, the initiative will expand to more than 150 retailers nationwide.

On a soft (rainy) day in Belfast, Ireland, soon-to-be princess Kate Middleton sported Aquatalia by Marvin K's "Rumba" boots treated with the brand's trademark Weatherproof protection. She's right in step with the brand's take on "functional luxury."

Auri Footwear announced that for every pair of shoes sold through new retail partnerships or its online store, the company will donate funds to Soles4Souls. The partnership will include $5 donations for every pair sold through wholesale and $10 donations for every pair sold through its Aurifootwear.com website.

Our entire organization is thrilled to be partnered with Soles4Souls, states Ori Rosenbaum, founder and CEO or Auri Footwear in Laguna Beach, CA.