Chinese Shoes

Horsetail embroidery

2011-12-28T04:27:00.000-08:00

Horsetail embroidery is a specialty of the Miao and Shui ethnic groups in Guizhou province. Young girls begin learning embroidery at about 5 or 6 years old and can spend 10 years on a single embroidery piece, which is specially prepared for their wedding. Horsetail embroidery requires three or four horsetail hairs bound together with white cotton, after which the image's shape is delineated. The images are filled with silk threads of different colors. The most popular horsetail embroidery products include tablemats, shoe-pads and wallets.

NIke in China

2011-10-14T20:15:00.001-07:00

Nike aims to double its revenue in China in the next four years. Currently their products are available at more than 7,000 stores in China and their plans are to grow by expanding to smaller cities. According to the company website, orders for Nike brand athletic footwear and apparel, scheduled for delivery from September 2011 through January 2012, totaled $8.5 billion. This is 16 percent higher than orders reported for the same period last year. Nike has been featuring Chinese athletes, such as Liu Xiang, the Olympic gold medalist for the 110-meters hurdle, as well as Li Na, grand slam winner at the 2011 French Open, and Yi Jianlian, the NBA player. China is the brand's second-largest market after the United States.

Why are Chinese tourists flocking to Somerset?

2011-03-13T04:15:00.001-07:00

Click here to find out.

Shoe car

2011-03-10T05:04:00.001-08:00

The Kang Shoe company in China have built a shoe shaped electric car. The shell is 3m long and approx 1m high and is made entirely of real leather, (i.e. the hide of five bulls). The bodywork was made in the same way as a normal shoe but on a much bigger scale. The car battery is located beneath the driver's seat. The vehicle carries two people a distance of 400km at speeds of up to 30km/h on a single charge of the battery. At the launch workers queued up for the chance to drive the car at a demonstration outside the company's headquarters in Wenzhou in eastern China's Zhejiang Province. Plans are afoot (love it) to make 40 other cars for stores around the country.

ospop (One Small Point of Pride)

2011-02-23T22:36:00.001-08:00

Canvas jiefang xie (解放鞋) or “liberation shoes” were once the preferred footwear of every construction worker in Shanghai. They were made in a shoe factory in Henan Province. Ben Walters liked what he saw and bought the company renaming them ospop ( “One Small Point of Pride”). The new shoes sell for US$48-73 per pair which is about 20 times the price of the original jiefang xie. As a novelty the shoes come with two sets of laces, one to match the shoes’ canvas and another to match the rubber outsole. The working conditions in the ospop’s factory has improved under Ben Walters and now employees receive overtime pay as well as work in safer environment. The trainers made by ospop pay tribute to “the industrious and optimistic spirit found among people living and working in China and have the character gong (工) or “labor” embroidered on every pair of shoes. Currently the color palette available includes “cement,” “slate” and “brick.” Whilst sales in ospop are rising more recently there has been a fashion demand for retro Chinese footwear brands such as Feiyue and Huili.

There Isn't a "Next China: Now What?

2011-01-05T00:36:00.001-08:00

The cost of production in China is rising and according to experts will severely impact on the cost of footwear worldwide. A better informed Chinese workforce and changing financial situation in China have combined to increase the base costs of production for foreign companies. Whilst many have already relocated to other countries experts believe this has only short term benefits and the world may now look forward to mose expensive shoes.

Reference
Green J There Isn't a "Next China: Now What? Panjiva

Li-Ning doing really rather well over there

2010-10-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

Chinese sport company Li-Ning has seen sales in recent years pass every competitor in China, except Nike. Now the company has decided to take on its main opponent by trading in the US. Li-Ning Sports USA has launched itself into the running-shoe market of mainland North America. Both companies have done well in the last financial year and whilst Li-Ning Sports USA is still a minnow by comparison to Nike they hope to overtake them one day. Stealth is the name of the game and Li-Ning Sports USA see a window with minimalist (lightweight) shoes. Li-Ning Sports USA have launched a 7 ounce, running shoe called "The Fremont." The new shoe retails at $85 US and is available at selected stores. The hope is the Chinese company will build up a loyal following among runners and intend to promote the new Fremont at the The Running Event Conference, in Austin, Texas, this November. Curently the best selling minimalist shoes are Nike Free Run, Saucony Kinvara, New Balance 101, and Vibram.

Chinese footwear workers; Times are a changing

2010-10-14T16:49:00.000-07:00

Exports of Chinese made sport shoes are picking up but local companies are struggling to complete existing orders due to a scarcity of manpower. The centre for sport shoe production in China is around the provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang and Shandong but many plant workers have moved away and migrant workers are reluctant to relocate to these regions. Better working conditions have encouraged the workforce to stay inland where living expenses are lower. Chinese plant works will normally spend half their salary on basic needs and younger people prefer sectors that offer better wages, benefits and working conditions. The new generation of employees is also looking for the opportunities to travel, study, socialize and raise a family. The conditions at footwear plants are less attractive than other industrial sectors with workers having to work long hours in either very hot or extremely cold conditions.

Expo 2010 Shanghai China has a football theme

2010-06-13T03:59:00.000-07:00

Expo 2010 Shanghai China is being held in the city of Shanghai, China (May 1 to October 31, 2010). It is a World Expo in the tradition of international fairs and expositions. The theme of the exposition is "Better City – Better Life" and signifies Shanghai's new status in the 21st century as the "next great world city" More than 190 countries and more than 50 international organizations have registered to participate in the Shanghai World Expo. China expects to receive almost 100 foreign leaders and more than 70–100 million visitors. In the spirit of the Zakumi is at hand to be photographed . The walls of the Brazil Pavilion are covered with green wooden blocks to remind visitors of the green colour of football pitches. The pavilion ceiling is made from many footballs, basketballs and volleyballs. There is even a Pelé Coffee Bar and outside the pavilion is a huge screen on which football videogame graphics are shown and football matches are broadcast. Visitors can use their cell phones to participate in the interactive football game displayed on the screen. Football too features prominently in the Argentinean Pavilion with a floor screen showing the scenes of talented Argentine football players such as Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi and the moving moments when Argentina won the World Cup. In the UK Pavilion at the exit is a wax figure of Wayne Rooney. The European Union pavilion is expected to host many famous European football stars both past and present for the Expo European football week in mid to late September. Real Madrid players will visit the Madrid City Pavilion and organisers hope the Spanish football team will accept their invitation to visit the Expo 2010 Shanghai China after the World Cup (favourites to lift the trophy).

Faux designer footwear flods Europe: Triad run sweatshops

2010-06-12T17:06:00.000-07:00

While David Beckham has had to take his boots off for the time being his spouse, Victoria and fellow fashionista have been seen wearing their très expensive Christian Louboutin leopard-print ankle boots. Keen not to miss out fans have clamoured to buy cheap lookalikes on the internet but it appears these faux boots are made using child labour, in shocking conditions, under the control of vicious criminal gangs. According to a recent English Sunday paper , Triad gangsters are running sweatshops disguised to look like houses and paying workers, including children as young as 10, £20 for a 90-hour week. The factories turn out thousands of pairs of fake designer shoes for shipping to the UK. Observers have reported seeing piles of shoes boxes outside buildings at Huan Jiao village , near-Guangzhou in the south east of Chin. The shoe boxes bear names like Gucci, Prada and Chanel. Other brands sold include phoney YSL, Prada, and Jimmy Choo. They all come from the same factory. According to an exert the Chinese Government are reluctant to clamp down on the trade due to the present credit crunch. The gangs behind the trade use internet addresses similar to the designers' official sites to attract customers. The fraud is estimated to be worth billions of dollars which is beginning to hurt the legitimate industry.

EU Anti-Dumping Law enquiry

2010-05-22T20:01:00.000-07:00

The World Trade Organization judges agreed to investigate whether European Union anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese shoes unfairly does harm China’s exporters. After months of consultations with the EU failed to resolve the dispute, China asked for arbitration. The EU slapped high duties on Chinese and Vietnamese leather shoes in 2006 to counter below-cost or “dumped” imports. Four- fifths of the EU’s leather shoes come from Italy, Portugal and Spain, where producers are trying to become more competitive, according to the 27-nation bloc. According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce the EU’s anti-dumping law has discriminatory provisions against China and unfarely impairs the legal rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.

Huaxia Shoe Culture Museum

2010-05-19T17:19:00.000-07:00

The Huaxia Shoe Culture Museum is a private shoe museum in Tianjin Municipality. A new exhibition highlighting China's 5,000 years of shoe culture opened recently. On display are more than 1,000 pairs of shoes, a wide collection of shoe designs, and traditional shoe-making techniques. Among the exhibited shoes are a wide selection of “Lotus Shoes” for bound-feet. Shoe making in China dates back to over 5000 years ago when it was recorded on ancient painted pottery. Today China is the biggest shoe making nation in the world and exported 8.17 billion pairs of shoes in 2009.

Shoes at Qingming

2010-04-03T16:24:00.001-07:00

Qingming (清明节) is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated between March 26 and April 15. During Qingming people tend to the graves of their departed ones. Tomb Sweeping Day and Clear Bright Festival are the most common English translations of the Qingming Festival. The tradition stretches back more than 2,500 years and was credited to the Tang Emperor, Xuanzong in 732. He became concerned at the time and extravagance of people honoring their ancestors and curbed the practice restricting it to Qingming. The Communist Party of China banned Qingming in 1949 but later reinstated the holiday in 2008. Now Chinese families can remember and honor their ancestors at grave sites. During Qingming sons venerate their departed parents and paternal grandparents, while daughters venerate their father’s side before marriage and their husband’s after marriage. Young and old pray before their ancestors and sweep the tombs. During Qingming families offer food, tea, wine, chopsticks, and joss paper accessories to the departed. Joss paper accessories include paper money (Hell bank notes) and paper replicas of the departed’s favorite material goods such as cars, telephones, or TV sets. These are ceremonially burnt in honor of the departed. Many traditional superstitions are observed during Qingming including carrying willow branches. These are left on gates or outside houses to ward off evil spirits. Visitors to graveyards wear bright colours for the same reason. Pregnant women, babies and toddlers are discouraged from visiting graveyards for fear that loitering spirits might take advantage of the physically weak and snatch their souls. Visitors to the grave sites will sometimes let off fire-crackers as a “wake-up” call for the spirits. Young children are cautioned against making too much noise in case they disturb other spirits. The living should avoid stepping on hell currencies at the grave site lest the spirits feel despised and trampled upon. It is also forbidden to walk over a grave. Neither slippers nor sandals are worn to the grave sites. When offerings are left by the graveside these remain the property of the departed and bad luck will befall anyone who would remove them. The toss of coins is used to determine when the spirits have finished with the offerings. Worshippers flip coins twice to check on the progress. Two heads or two tails means that the spirits have not finished savoring the delicacies. A head and a tail mean that they have finished their meal. It is a bad omen to bring the earth from the cemetery into their homes for fear this will attract evil spirits. Socks and shoes are removed before entering the house and washed to rid them of any bad luck. Some people have ready a pail of water with pomelo or kaffir lime leaves to wash their faces, hands and legs. This is followed by a head-to-toe bath as a second cleansing to ward off any evil spirits.

New Balance store in Shanghai

2010-03-02T02:02:00.001-08:00

New Balance has announced the opening of its first concept experience store in Shanghai. The company has already opened a store in the Qianmen district in Beijing and there are plans to open others in major Chinese cities in the near future. The latest store is located on the first floor of Yongxin Department Store in Shaghai and carries the full line of New Balance's products including running shoes, clothes, accessories, and various sports equipment. New Balance is USA-based footwear brand from Boston.

Eco friendly footwear and comparative advantage

2010-02-19T14:57:00.001-08:00

North America is the world's largest importer of footwear with an estimated 90% of footwear sold in the US comes from overseas. Despite major technological innovations, shoe manufacture remains labour intensive with many manual steps involved in the assembly process. The cost of labour has forced most US shoe companies to relocate their manufacturing plants to other countries. China currently produces 70% of all imported footwear and in 2008 more than 1.2 billion pairs of shoes were imported to the U.S. Australia is no different in this respect with many household names such as Blundstone Boots following the same pattern. For as long as labour remains the most important cost factor then work will always go where unit costs are cheapest.
The intense competition faced by the domestic footwear industries here and in the US reflects the ongoing global shift in comparative advantage. Whilst cheaper shoes are what consumers’ need (or will pay for) it also means traditional home industries suffer as a consequence because they find it well neigh impossible to compete. Over the last four decades there has been significant shrinkage in the home clothing and footwear sectors. According to the Footwear Industries of America (FIA), since the 60s, over 70% of shoe factories in the US have closed.

The downside to outsourcing is manufacturers no longer dictate the working conditions in overseas factories, and some unfortunately badly exploit their workers. Sports footwear giants in particular been accused of poor working practice with claims of child labour. To their credit brand leaders have worked to overcome this but do still fall fowl of their critics from time to time.
Analysis of buying trends during the recession confirms sales of certain shoe types have dropped particularly training shoes. One example, where this trend is reversed is the sector called ‘eco friendly footwear.’ The term describes buying locally made products to sustain small businesses opposed to corporate giants; and at the same time reducing the greenhouse gases from shipping products across the world. However it seems after a recent investigation ‘eco friendly shoes’ may it be all they appear.

According to the Vegetarian Site, US companies are farming out vegan shoes to China for production. Retailers defend their action fiscally and declare they cannot make a profit without sourcing the cheapest labour. Makes perfect sense until it is pointed out many eco friendly shoes are also made in factories where poor working practice is likely. When questioned many vegan shoe retailers were oblivious to this and most were unaware of how their shoes were made.

Vegan ethos is clear and consumers will not buy products which knowingly involve animal and or human exploited in their manufacture. This extends to even when the products are free of animal ingredients. Monitoring Asian organisations like The Fair Labour Association (FLA) do exist but have no remit to inspect small independent manufacturers. The factories which manufacture off-brand vegan shoes are not privy to external evaluation but 'self-monitored' instead to conform to local labour laws and regulations. Other independent monitoring bodies such a Verité are seldom used because factory owners fear the inevitable cost hike threat would follow the implementation of humane working conditions.

Excerpt from the Afternoons with Jenny Seeton Cutin FM 101, Perth Western Australia, Friday 02/19/2010.

Anti-dumping fiasco:World Trade Organisation alerted

2010-02-07T15:12:00.000-08:00

China recently filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the European Union's extension of anti-dumping duties on Chinese-made leather shoes. This action has triggered the WTO dispute settlement procedure. The EU started levying anti-dumping duties against leather shoes imported from China in 2006. These were extended by another 15 months in 2009 by the EU's executive body. Over the past 10 years, Europe's shoe-making industry has been in decline whilst their counterparts in Asia and the Middle East have been burgeoning. The quota restrictions were imposed by the EU to protect the industrial sector. The result has been European consumers now pay more for footwear and because of falls in imports from China 20,000 Chinese shoe workers are now without jobs.

Chinese import embargos stay in place say EC

2009-10-12T03:51:00.000-07:00

The European Commission will extend the anti-dumping duties on EU imports from Chinese and Vietnamese shoes by at least the next 15 months. According to EU statistics European producers’ share of the EU market fell from 65 per cent to 40 per cent between 2001 and 2005, mostly because of inroads by China and Vietnam. Since the duties were imposed, the Chinese and Vietnamese share of the leather-soled shoe market has remained stable at around 30 percent, with European shoemakers holding between 40 and 45 percent. Some believe continuation of the duties will help stabilise the market share of European producers while pushing up consumer prices only slightly. Others say because Europeans do not want the low-paid work of making shoes they are forced to go elsewhere to stay competitive. The European Footwear Alliance (EFA), representing manufacturers such as Nike, Adidas and Timberland have paid more than 800 million euros (1.2 billion dollars) in these taxes and have called for an end to the duty. The anti-dumping duties on footwear are essentially fines for exporting goods below production cost and these were first applied in October 2006 costing the manufacturers with operations in those countries hundreds of millions of euros. Key to the battle between Europe’s manufacturers and retailers is the issue of country of origin. Italian manufacturers want compulsory labelling of country of origin on clothing and footwear. The debate over country of origin is an important battleground within the World Trade Organisation, where emerging markets oppose compulsory labelling of geographic origin, while many traditional European manufacturers regard it as an emblem of quality and standard.

Export Footwear Industry:Potential crisis looms

2009-08-12T19:28:00.001-07:00

According to recent reports in the business and financial press the footwear export industry may have a crisis after it was discovered Yue Yuen, (the largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of shoes for Nike and adidas), recorded a loss in net income in the first seven months. Seems in China both increased costs of raw materials and labor are having an adverse effect on production. Nike has already closed its self-owned shoe factory in China and will transfer its production base to Vietnam and Indonesia, where the labor force and materials are cheaper.

Nike: Underage workers?

2009-05-23T03:25:00.000-07:00

Recent reports from China indicate workers at the Longfa Shoe Factory in China’s south eastern Guangdong province are underage. Further it has been alleged officials switched their identification papers to make them seem older when members of China’s largely Muslim Uyghur ethnic group were sent to work in a shoe factory thousands of miles from home. The facility currently employs 660 workers through a program known as “Transfer Surplus Workforce Outwards.” More than half of the workers are female, and some 300 are under the age of 18. Longfa Shoe Factory is owned by Taiwan-based Dean Shoes Co. Ltd., which supplies Oregon-based U.S. footwear giant Nike, Inc. The legal working age in China is 16 but according to Nike’s code of conduct, their contractors do not “employ any person below the age of 18 to produce footwear” and to hire underage workers would violate company policies. Both companies have denied the allegations.

Michelle's favourite shoes are made in China

2009-04-29T19:42:00.000-07:00

Generally Chinese exports have fallen since late last year as the world financial crisis hit overseas demand for products. The slowdown has led to the closure of thousands of factories, while at least 25 million migrant workers from poor rural areas are now unemployed. Michelle Obama has set the foot fashionista in a buzz wearing Bandolino Berry’s dress shoes. Reoblan Footwear, a manufacturer based in the Sichuan province, China is working overtime to churn out the high-heeled Bandolino Berry for an ever eager set of US consumers where oreders have soared. Last year the manufacturer exported 500k pairs but were giving orders for 200k pairs in March of this year, thanks to the First Lady’s favourite dress shoe.

A blog on golf shoes

2009-03-03T00:21:00.001-08:00

Golf Shoes Blog

This is an excellent blog on golf shoes

Bespoke Foot Orthoses: CAD/CAM

2009-02-11T21:39:00.001-08:00

Foot orthoses come in different types from simple insoles to biomechanically calculated platforms to help stabilise the foot during phases of walking. In recent years there has been a sizable industry grown around the manufacture and prescription of the latter which is now estimated at $30 million US per anum. Prescribed foot orthoses often referred to as function foot orthoses are used by sports specialists, surgeons, physiotherapists and podiatrists and prices vary from $20 to $300 per pair depending on the type, time spend and materials used. Over the counter foot orthoses are often as effective as bespoke varieties but due to the material combinations may not always last quite so long. Conditions definitely apply. For over a decade the manufacture of foot orthoses has involved Computer Numerical Controlled(CNC) systems where CAD/CAM software programs are used to produce a computer file that is interpreted to extract the commands needed to operate a particular machine, and then loaded into the CNC machines for production which involes a complex series of steps needed to produce in this case a foot orthoses. CAD software produces 3D scanned design data which can be manipulated to add a range of models, add-ons and cut-outs or corrections to the foot mould. Many companies which supply bespoke foot orthoses use the technology to increase their production. The established method of producing bespoke foot orthoses was both time consuming and prone to human error. After physical examination of the leg and foot, technicians took plaster of Paris moulds of the feet set in a reference position. These negative casts are then filled with setting plaster before drying at hot temperatures. When the foot models are completely dried high temperature plastics are melted over the prepared cast before trimming. The process of creating unique prescriptions for patients suffering from various foot and joint ailments will take anything from 3 days to three weeks to complete. A primary advantage of CAD/CAM manufacture is the time reduced in producing quality foot orthoses as providing prescribed quality foot orthoses in a timely fashion translates well to high profits. Turnaround time is extremely important in the bespoke foot orthotic business. Delcam's OrthoModel , is a new software specifically for modelling and machining custom foot orthoses. Once the information is input into the OrthoModel CAD software, the information is transfered to the CAM component OrthoMill and routed to complete the milling process. Top covers and other finishes are added once the foot orthoses have been milled. Delcam Crispin is a UK based company founded in 1965 and their software includes a series of menus which incorporate the biomechanical terminology used by the industry to describe the various features of the foot orthosis.

Shoe size conversion: Measures

2009-02-10T22:08:00.001-08:00

If you have an iPhone and want to put it to good use when buying shoes you might like to get the 99 cent "Measures - Unit Converter. " Now available at iTunes App Store this useful app will convert just about anything including shoe sizes. U.S., European, Mexican, Japanese, UK, and Australian. Women's sizes available for conversion range from U.S. 5-14, and men's conversions are available for U.S. sizes 3-14. "Measures" was created by Neuwert Media.

Interesting site
Shoe Size and Conversion Charts

China throws its own shoes at the West

2009-02-02T15:24:00.001-08:00

A Westerner may throw his sneaker at Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao, but China could be said to recipricate with a couple of their classical sneakers being thrown westward in return. For over half a century TianLangs have made sneakers and shoes for Chinese workers. Recently they produced on new ranges of footwear in conjunction with Ospop called Skywolf and Departure. The hi top shoes look similar in outline to the originals but are now made from superior materials. The new range are said to be more durable and comfortable. The shoes are beginning to turn some eyes in the west. In the 70s and 80s the most fashionable low top sneakers in China were Warriors. These were worn by youths keen to emulate kids in the West as well as breakaway form the drab costume of ulititaria. As the Millenium approached the mass appeal of Warrior shoes dwindled and became shoes worn by ordinary people. Now it appears Warriors are destined to make a fashion come back as Chinese youths begin to grasp their sneaker culture heritage. Author, Sumeng Ye has compiled a photo-book Book of Warriors which tells the story behind the shoes.

Jelena Jankovic: Melbourne heat no match for new shoes

2009-01-27T00:11:00.000-08:00

Jelena Jankovic unexpectedly lost her 4 round match at Australian Open in two straight sets against Marion Bartoli (France).This is something of a big surprise because Jelena Jankovic is symbol for consistency on WTA tour. According to reports Jelena Jankovic was forced to step lively on court as the soles of her new Anta shoes failed to protect her feet from the Melbourne heat. The soles of her feet got so hot she was putting them on ice during the break. Despite the hot weather and hard court the shoes failed to provide the comfort the champion needs and so it may be ack to the drawing board for Chinese, Anta.

Anta and Jelena Jankovic

2009-01-20T15:35:00.000-08:00

Anta is one of China’s athletic companies and they have just stepped in with an endorsement deal for top-ranked women’s tennis player, Jelena Janković . The star was formerly with Reebok but now has a three year deal with Anta estimated to be worth $5.1 US million. So far the significant non-Chinese endorsements for Chinese footwear companies have been in basketball. Peak counts Shane Battier and Jason Kidd as endorsers. Shaquille O’Neal has a China-only endorsement deal with Li-Ning. However since a decline in popularity of tennis in the US combined with recession in the shoe industry has left many top seeds yet to find sponsors. More and more Chinese companies like Li-Ning and Peak are beginning to compete with the giants Nike and Adidas. The Anta deal highlights a changing marketplace for sneaker endorsement deals. There is also a change in the way many players will be paid, previously contracts were based upon on-court performance however now these are tied to the success of the products.

Indian Leather Industry appeal to the government

2008-12-31T23:06:00.000-08:00

The effect of the global financial meltdown had seriously affected the Asian leather industry. After the first six months of 2008 showed positive growth many exporters faced cancellation of orders, price reduction and quantitative reduction in the later part of the year. Experts believe the demand for high end products is likely to drop more in 2009. The Chinese Government have tried to pre-empt this decline by regularly reviewing the incentives of leather industry to encourage its share in global market. There are now calls for the government to do the same in India. The Indian Leather Industry currently exports to Europe and the US and continues to receive plenty of inquires but due to the competitiveness of the market successful contracts are more elusive.

Foot torture and foot binding

2008-12-27T21:03:00.000-08:00

Throughout the ages the Chinese have acquired a reputation for torture. Historically it is more than likely the authorised use of torture in China for purposes of confession, or forms of punishment, and execution, were no more than most other civilised countries of the time. Seventeenth century author, Semedo (cited in Scott, 1995) wrote of a foot torment called Kia Quen where three pieces of wood were connected by a rope. The foot of the victim was placed between the bamboos then systematically squeezed until the heel was compressed into the foot. This form of punishment was reserved for male culprits, whereas females would have their fingers crushed in a torture called Tean Zu. Bastinado or beating the sole of the foot was meted out to both genders as a punishment and often inflicted with sufficient vigour as to cause death to the victim. The origins of foot binding remain vague but most authorities believe it was part of Chinese custom since the 11th century. Some hold the opinion foot binding was in existence for a millennium before. The most popular belief, promulgated by early Christian missionaries, was the Empress Taki (11th century) was born with clubfeet, to avoid her humiliation, her father made an edict that all highborn women of China would have their feet bound. Another reason often cited by contemporary Chinese, who have grown up through the Cultural Revolution, was foot binding was a physical means of preventing married women from infidelity by physically restricting their movements. This would seem unlikely since there is no evidence to support restriction of the female gender in higher Chinese culture prior to modern times. It appears historic record would support the father of Empress Taki kept a troupe of erotic dancers with small feet. They used to dance on a floor of lotus leaves (a symbol of the vulva) for his sensual pleasure. This form of erotica became very popular but not all middle class men could afford the upkeep of a dance troupe. Foot binding of family members became established in the middle classes by way of paying respect to the Emperor. The habit plunged hundreds of millions of Chinese men, from highbrow mandarins to lowly peasants into ecstasies of sexual passion for nearly one thousand years. According to Rossi (1993) for genteel lovers the tiny foot provided endless amusement, with often the smell of the unwashed foot having charms for some, who referred to it as a fragrant bed aroma. Dr Chang Hui Shang considered that the alteration in walking due to the smaller foot caused changes in the female genitalia with sensitive folds developing in the labia. Further heightened sensuousness was experienced by the increased curvature of the sole of the foot, which was referred to as a second vagina. The big toe was proportionately large and tactile. A useful extension. Foot kissing and sucking was a common practice with the whole foot being placed in the mouth. Bound or lotus feet were considered the source of magical eroticism. Without doubt the practice of foot binding was as abhorrent to modern society as any ritualistic abuse. However when it was practised it was not as a punishment, albeit it was extremely painful, but instead as a coming of age, right of passage. To not have bound feet was a disgrace for a woman and social suicide. It is not always appreciated but some men had their feet bound. It is well reported within studies of anthropology that primitive tribes used painful rituals for entering adulthood. The ability to endure pain as a prerequisite for marriage was admired. The proof of pain may by itself have been the ultimate display that decoration was an unselfish act and that it was done to give pleasure to others (Bohannan P, cited in Love, 1997) Some tribes used the pain of scarifications to induce passion and thus fertility. Foot binding may have originally served a similar purpose.

Bibliography
Love B. 1995 The encyclopaedia of unusual sex practices London: Greenwich Editions.
Rossi WA. 1993 The sexlife of the foot and shoe Florida:Krieger Publishing Co.
Scott GR. 1995 A history of torture London: Senate.

Chuck Taylor: Book for Christmas

2008-12-09T15:50:00.001-08:00

netizens

Aamidor A., 2006 Chuck Taylor, All Star: The True Story of the Man Behind the Most Famous Athletic Shoe in History .

This is an asset to any book collection on footwear.

Biff, spat, ban!

2008-08-23T23:31:00.001-07:00

Cuba’s Angel Matos was winning 3-2, with 1:02 in the second round, when he fell to the mat after being hit by his opponent, Kazakhstan’s Arman Chilmanov. Whilst awaiting medical attention for his foot injury he was disqualified by referee Chakir Chelbat of Sweden for exceeding the one minute allowed. Matos angrily questioned the call before pushing then kicking the judge. In a final mark of disrespect he also spat on the floor before being escorted out. Subsequent to his actions the World Taekwondo Federation has issued a lifetime ban on the athlete for his conduct and his coach for alleged claims of favouritism.

Play Fair 2008: What's changed?

2008-08-23T16:41:00.001-07:00

Play Fair 2008 is organised by the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and the International Textile, Garment and Leather Worker’s Federation (ITGLWF), among others. The main function is oversee the human rights of workers involved in sportswear manufacture. According to their reports brand name companies have used their market power to negotiate the best price and quickest turnover from manufacturers in developing countries which is to the detriment of the workforce. Unscrupulous manufacturers have relied on a workforce unable to negotiate acceptable working conditions and by negated duty of care and promulgated atrocious abuse of human rights created sweat factories. Workers are expected to toil long hours (up to 18 hours per day) in arduous conditions without the most basic employment protection. Women in developing countries have no job security and are expected to work unpaid overtime at the risk of loosing their jobs. The pay rate can be as little as 30 cents (US) per hour. In the past researchers have reported factory workers malnourished, ill, and living in substandard housing but because this was the only regular work available the workforce continue to suffer human rights abuse despite reassurances from Brand leaders to the contrary. In 2004 large companies like Adidas-Salomon, Nike, Reebok and Puma have been held to account by Oxfam in their "Play Fair at the Olympics," with the focus to change purchasing practices; implement credible labor practice policies in conjunction with trade unions and other concerned organizations. Despite a more recent approach to the International Olympic Movement (IOM) to respect the rights of workers in the sportswear industry, the IOC remains non committal and continue to refuse to take moral leadership on the issue. Prior to Beijing Olympics a new report entitled Clearing the hurdles: Steps to improving working conditions in the global sportswear industry was released. Researchers reported workers producing for the international sportswear companies are still working excessive hours and paid poverty wages. Over 300 sportswear workers in China, India, Thailand and Indonesia were interviewed and violations of worker rights are still prevalant. The research showed workers producing goods sold by brand leaders such as Adidas, Asics, New Balance, Nike, and Puma are still earning poverty wages. At a time when company profits are at a premium and likely to sore higher after the Games it appears all the more unfair. Whilst company giants, adidas and Nike fight for market dominance in China, most of their shoes are made by Yue Yuen, the Hong Kong manufacturer that produces one-sixth of the world’s sports shoes. Yue Yuen workers reported working without rest periods and under pressure to meet mass production targets with many having to glue 120 pairs of shoes every hour. At Joyful Long factory in China’s Pearl River Delta, which supplies Adidas, Nike, Umbro and Fila, it was reported the overtime could reach 232 hours per month while average wages were almost half the legal minimum. Whilst major sportswear brand adopted codes of conduct more than 15 years ago but the report shows workers still face extreme pressure to meet production quotas, excessive, undocumented and unpaid overtime, verbal abuse, threats to health and safety and a failure to provide legally required health and other insurance programs. The full report can be read here . Keen to avoid potential adverse publicity companies began to improve poor working conditions at their sports goods factories by introducing new stringent working conditions. If the ‘best practice was not implemented then companies would cease to trade with rogue manufacturers. In 2003a Code of Labor Practice for licensed Olympic Goods was established but it appears has not always implemented. FIFA also agreed to a code of labor practice for FIFA licensed products, but according to the Clean Clothes Campaign may not always implement it. At the 29th Olympiad, Reebok took the unprecidented decision not to allow their athletes to speak at press conferences or one-on-one interviews during the Games. Fearing a compromised situation Reebok contracted media organisations with pre-edited film clips to save embarrassment to athletes ill prepared to comment upon human rights issues.

What paper tiger shoe companies do to gain market share

2008-08-11T18:39:00.000-07:00

Both adidas and Nike have introduced new shoes for the 29th Olympiad with Official sponsor, adidas reporting 17 new designs more than they did for the 2004 Athens Games. The new shoes are designed for specific events/sports but somewhat surprisingly the majority will never make it to store shelves. The reason for this is a major switch in marketing strategy from the Sydney Olympics when footwear companies were keen to align their products with Olympic winners and more importantly with record breakers. Unlike the impact of the new racer suits for swimmers, there have been over fifty-four world records broken since the Speedo LZR Racer was launched, sport shoe innovations have not translated into improved performances and athletic records have not fallen as anticipated. This has caused footwear companies to be wary of factious claims, like our “shoes shave times,” and the giants of the industry are more content to cloth the masses in lifestyle attire which is altogether more profitable. The Olympic Games represents the biggest catwalk for shoes in the world and the race to secure top market position in the lucrative Chinese market is the ultimate glittering prize of the Beijing Olympics 2008. It is estimated sales of sport shoes and associated attire in China alone this year will exceed $2 billion US. Presently Nike has the lion share with adidas trailing their rivals behind the scenes both have been beavering away opening new outlets in China and heavily promoting their wears through personality endorsements and other sponsorships. By the end of this year adidas will have opened 5,000 Chinese stores and Nike will have 4,000 outlets. Adidas-Salomon is an official sponsor of the Beijing Olympics but Nike their main rival is not and whilst adidas has always had a close association with sports and the Olympics, on the world market who outsells them. What’s more recent surveys conducted in China indicate the vast majority of consumers care little for who supports the Games and are brand loyal buyers who prefer what they knows as opposed to what is promoted in heavy advertising. It appear Nikes stealth by aligning with individual Chinese sport federations, and teams as well as high profile individuals like, gold medallist hurdler, has paid off. As official sponsor adidas have outfitted more than 3,000 of the estimated 10,500 athletes and more than 600,000 members of Chinese Olympic delegation and organizing committee. adidas subsidiary Reebok, is outfitting 250 athletes whereas, Nike will cloth athletes from 100 countries competing for medals in 32 sports. Adidas may yet have the last laugh because as part of their sponsorship they shall clothe all medal winners at their presentation. The company paid a reported $80 million US for the privilege.

Gaojiao: Chinese stilts

2008-05-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

In Hunnan Province of China the Miao and Tujia people like to step high with a sport called 'gaojiao.' Walking on stilts started about the 14 - 15th centuries when ordinary people could not afford shoes they found crossing wet ground was very hazardous. Ingeniously they made short stilts from bamboo poles about 1-meter-high (3.3 feet) and strapped them to their legs. Eventually they developed games which people could play wearing their stilts. This is similar to the performance of 'stepping on high' in festivals of the Han People.

Salvatore Ferragamo Evolving Legend 1928-2008

2008-03-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Lady Di all wore Ferragamos’ shoes as have Greta Garbo, Nicole Kidman , Chinese actress, Zhang Ziyi and actor Tony Leung; and even, Andy Warhol. To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Italian shoe crafter, Ferragamo, the company will display more than 500 pieces of their "iconic collection," in the "Salvatore Ferragamo Evolving Legend 1928-2008" exhibition which is currently showing at the Museum of Contemporary Art , Shanghai in People's Park. The travelling exhibition is hosted by the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum in Florence. On display in Shanghai will be a broad collection of original shoes, bags, clothing, scarves and jewellery, as well as materials, skins and the brand's well-known wooden casts of celebrities' feet. The show includes contemporary shoes made of various types of luxurious skins, as well as old ones from the 1920s to 1960s. Also on display are vintage videos of how Ferragamo came to design and create a shoe with a perfect fit.

Nike report on Chinese Factories

2008-03-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

Big trouble in River City, well Chinese shoe factories anyway, according to Nike Inc., the world's biggest sneaker and sportswear maker. Presently about one-third of their shoes are made in China which represents Nike's largest single sourcing country, with some 180 manufacturers and about 210,000 employees. Despite improvements in worker rights laws in China, Nike Inc. maintains significant problems remain in working conditions and with managers not meeting Nike's standards. In a recent report published on Nike’s website some Chinese suppliers have falsified documents, used underage workers and have unpaid wages outstanding. According to the report there are still deep rooted problems in manufacturing in China, particularly at a time when sharply rising costs and a stiffening legal environment are present. Nike has over the years made efforts to get suppliers to comply with Nike’s code of conduct and Chinese law, including a program to monitor Olympics-related suppliers this year. However as the report clearly shows the factories contracted within China continue to face challenges. The report noted problems including falsification of factory documents such as payroll records, lack of effective grievance systems for disgruntled workers and hiring practices that did not ensure minimum age standards were met. Nike claim to have tried to improve labour conditions in China, but always found this a challenge as Chinese labour laws evolve. The report states multiple factors drive up the cost of business some contract factories try to avoid making changes to wages in a timely manner. After years of foreign pressure on China to improve its labour legislation, the country passed two new laws in 2007 that are intended to improve worker rights. One that went into effect this year sets higher standards for labour contracts, use of temporary workers, layoffs and other employment conditions. Some hoped the move would encourage independent unionization in the country. Roughly half of Nike's contract employees in China belong to the country's only government-approved union. A second law expands anti-discrimination protection for migrant workers and those with infectious diseases, two classes of people who had not been protected from bias. Despite the published findings Nike remain committed to improving conditions for workers throughout their global supply chain as one of their highest priorities. Critics of the Oregon based company consider the recent report only confirms the continued shortcomings at Nike on labour rights and for long as they positions their manufacturing in countries where workers continue to be able to unionize or managers refuse to negotiate then these problems will continue.

China: What the future holds

2007-12-21T22:14:00.001-08:00

The fiscal projection for 2008 is bleak with an anticipated US recession and export slowdown; domestic asset price deflation; and monetary tightening as well as anticipated austerity controls, but experts believe corporate China will cope very well in the next twelve months. Whilst overall growth is expected to slow down in 2008 China's economy will continue expand according to informed authorities. Investors are being warned against reliance upon export-dependent and cyclical sectors such as textile, machinery and electronics as well as those industries linked to the US recession such as banking, insurance, materials and real estate sectors. Instead concentration should be given to domestic sectors based on consumer demand such as retail, and telecom which are now considered to be blue chip for 2008. One example cited is the footwear company Anta Sports Products Ltd (association with Houston Rockets)which is thought by many to record strong sales at least up until the Beijing Olympics in August. Slowdowns in economic activity did follow both Tokyo and Seoul Olympics but many experts believe being ‘fore warned is fore armed.’ Another Chinese company thought to improve its fortunes over 2008 is Fujian Peak. Recently the Milwaukee Bucks announced a multimillion dollar partnership with the Chinese shoe manufacturer. Interests in The Bucks has sored in China since the team signed Yi Jianlian to a contract.

The sport shoe market in China

2007-11-18T15:11:00.000-08:00

Converse have introduce a new version of the classic All Stars high tops. The design of the new shoe was in collaboration with the Japanese street-wear designer, Hiroshi Fujiwara. Known as the ‘Godfather of Harajuku’, Fujiwara is associated with bringing Japanese street-style, ‘Harajuku’ (named after the area in Tokyo where it originated) to the Western masses. The new high tops retail from £60. Converse, like their competitors are keen to capture the interest of the Far East market. As the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games gets nearer the competition is hotting up with New Balance committed to become the No 1 running-wear brand in the Chinese market. New Balance will continue to be the official sponsor of the modern pentathlon at the 2008 Olympic Games, as they considered this to be a golden opportunity to showcase products to consumers and distributors. Outside the US, China is the biggest market with companies hoping to double their market share within the next five years. Nike and Adidas are already widely accepted and compete favourably with local sports brands, Anta and Li Ning. Of course it is not all one way traffic. The Fujian's Peak Group Co have entered into a lucrative deal with The Chinese National Basketball Association to promote their products. This partnership will allow Peak's brand to appear on all nationally broadcast NBA games in the US and on the NBA's official Chinese website. To tap into China’s large NBA market, Peak intend to use player endorsement and have already signed Shane Battier (Houston Rockets). The NBA is committed to develop basketball in China, and hope the association with Peak will further fan interaction.

Arte che Cammina:Shanghai Times Square

2007-11-13T05:16:00.000-08:00

Arte che Cammina (Walking Art) is a travelling shoe exhibition currently at the Lobby of Shanghai Times Square. On display are 146 pairs of shows to celebrate 500 years of shoemaking in Italy. Italy is considered to be the pinnacle of quality shoemaking with craftsmanship, techniques, inventiveness and research into new materials all valued parts of the tradition. The exhibition which includes shoe patterns, moulds, historical posters and advertisements is presented by the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce and Shanghai Times Square. The show runs through until early December.

China could outstrip the US as the premier marketplace

2007-10-26T16:35:00.000-07:00

LVMH, Paris, are looking to China to provide customers in the future. Last week, the brand staged a $(US)10 million extravaganza on the Great Wall for its Fendi brand. The brand marched its collection across the 2,000 year-old structure, while its interlocking F logo was projected onto nearby mountains. The label already controls 10 boutiques in China, and has plans to add five more in 2008. The flagship Louis Vuitton brand controls 18 stores in the country, and plans to add another 10 through 2008. So far, those locations in Beijing and Shanghai are posting revenues comparable to major fashion centres, including New York, Paris and Rome. Last year’s revenues from the Asian market (excluding Japan), reached $19.23 billion. The company was one of the first to see the potential in the Chinese market and openned a Vuitton boutique in the basement of Beijing’s Palace Hotel in 1992. Company executives believe China could soon overtake the U.S., Japan and Europe markets for luxury goods.

Matildas are go!

2007-09-20T16:21:00.000-07:00

By qualifying for the quarter-finals The Matildas have given a great boost to Australian women's football. Despite a dire domestic situation which has top class athletes playing in amateur regional leagues, trying to maintain top fitness and develop their soccer skills. In the Women’s World Cup 2007 competition Australia has been the underrated team but have upset the equilibrium now by getting through to the next round. The 2 all draw against Canada saw both the flashes of talent the Australian Squad can play along with some lack lustred passages of play. The Matildas looked tired and slow at times but obviously were able and capable when it came to the final score. Hopefully a rest will do them good and like their male counterparts in FIFA World Cup 2006, the Australians will play their hearts out in the final run. Go the Matlidas.

Yao Ming: Local hero

2007-09-17T16:47:00.001-07:00

In China last year there was a celebrity auction organised by Yao Ming (Houston Rocket) and NBA All Star, Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns) to raise money to help educate impoverished children. The auction attracted a bevy of pop stars and cinema celebrities and raised a total of 6.75 million yuan. Signed shoes were the key attraction and local hero Yao’s shoes went for 10 times more than a signed Chicago Bulls jersey belonging to Michael Jordan. The signed shoes and some other items went for 3.6 million yuan (480,000 dollars) at the Thursday night event, while the jersey signed and worn by Jordan during the 1996 NBA finals sold for 380,000 yuan.

FIFA Women’s World Cup China 2007

2007-09-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

Just kicked off is this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup China 2007, a competition often neglected by the media and all the more so this year, because of the Rugby World Cup France 2007. Women’s soccer is now the third most popular sport in the world and all the more reason why adidas are interested in attracting customerss by engaging designer, Stella McCartney. Women's (soccer) football became popular during the First World War when young men were off fighting and the leagues were suspended. Now in the workforce, women formed company teams and inter company competition leagues were popular. Women’s international matches started in 1920 with the first major fixture between Dick, Kerr’s Ladies (from Preston, UK) and a team from Paris. The English ladies (national team) took on their Scottish counterparts in the same year and thrashed them, 22 nil (nothing new there!). Women’s soccer proved so popular after the war that crowds of up to 53.000 came to see them play. Concerned at the potential to damage men’s soccer, the Football Association (England) took an unprecedented action in 1921 and banned women from playing the game on Association members' pitches on the pretext women’s soccer was distasteful. A similar decree was made by Scottish football authorities. Undaunted the English Ladies Football Association was formed and ladies soccer was played on rugby grounds and park football pitches. In 1969 the English Women’s FA was formed and the ban on playing on FA pitches was lifted two years later. Union of European Football Associations(UEFA) recommended the women’s game be taken under the control of the national associations in each country and the first professional team was established in 1984.In 1991, FIFA held the first Women's World Championship in the People’s Republic of China and the USA were the victors. It took almost a decade before the Women's United Soccer Association in the United States was established as an all-professional league for women. In this years' competition both Australia (The Matildas) and New Zealand (The Football Ferns) qualified and their first games start on the 12 September. The Matildas are in Group C and play Ghana; The Football Ferns are in Group D and play Brazil on the same day. Australia qualified through the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and New Zealand stormed through Oceania World Cup qualifiers with 100% clean sweep. Germany are favourites to pick up the cup again but host country, China may well have other ideas. Australia may be the dark horse of the competition in 2007 and USA are likely to be strong contenders, too.

Interesting Sites
Women’s Football
womensoccer.com
Competition fixtures
History of soccer boots
soccer.com
The English FA

Sanction busting and ethical threads

2007-09-07T18:35:00.001-07:00

Since last year shoes exported to Europe from China have carried an extra surcharge of 16.5 percent of their value to compensate for below-cost imports. Cheaper shoes are thought to be pushing down prices and taking market share that damages European shoe makers. Reported in the European Union's Official Journal, the Commission some Chinese shoe makers are being accused of avoiding the extra charges by re-routing their goods through Macau or by completing the final assembly of goods in that country. Macau is a peninsula and two islands about 60 kilometers (35 miles) west of Hong Kong. It was formerly a Portuguese enclave that returned to Chinese rule in 1999. However unlike, Hong Kong, Macau is governed by different laws. The Macau shoes are then sold without the surcharge to Europe and for less than the prices of Chinese shoes that led to the introduction of the extra charges. The availability of cheaper footwear has also sparked a bitter dispute between European producers and retailers, who benefited from selling more shoes at bargain prices. The Chinese meantime accuse the EU of protectionism and intend to file a legal challenge with the EU courts. A recent study from Australia entitled Ethical Threads was conducted by The Brotherhood of St Laurence and found approximately 50 % of clothes sold in Australia were manufactured overseas. Evidence suggest consumers remain unconcerned about the conditions under which garments are manufactured. Further it was reported the Australian garment industry was slow to embrace mandatory and voluntary mechanisms to protect workers in international and local supply chains. The small and medium businesses surveyed did not see corporate social responsibility and ethical supply as being their responsibility. The Ethical Threads report found many Australian outworkers (i.e. 40% of total employment in the textile, clothing and footwear sector in Australia) were underpaid. Condition for out workers had worsened in the past five years, as a shortage of work increased competition. Despite a regulatory framework and strong legislation to protect outworkers, their isolation meant they felt disempowered. The report also urged companies using overseas manufacturers to ensure that foreign workers had appropriate pay and conditions.

Cats recalled in the US

2007-08-29T17:22:00.000-07:00

Incorrect labelling on the boxes of Chinese made, Caterpillar logger boots, (often referred to as Cats), claiming them to be resistant to electrical current , has caused concerns in the US. The resultant potential to cause a shock hazard to consumers who come in contact with an electrical current has caused the US Consumer Product Safety Commission in conjunction with the US manufacturer of the footwear, Wolverine World Wide to recall nearly 10,000 pairs of the steel-toed boots.

Mei Lanfang movie

2007-07-23T18:27:00.001-07:00

A new film in production from China is a biopic of the life of Peking opera star, Mei Lanfang (directed by Chen Kaige). Traditionally only men performed in Peking Opera including the female roles. Mei Lanfang was a master and give his name to "The Mei Lanfang School". He was also the first artist to introduce Peking Opera to the West and won international recognition becaming a cause celebre in the European theatre, as a result. The film will star Chen Hong, Gillian Chung, Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Memoirs of a Geisha), Leon Lai (plays the title role) and Japanese star Masanobu Ando (Kids Return). Rumour is Zhang Ziyi has taken a lesser fee to play in the film which has been a gracious gesture to help the production. This has not helped the pain with the pain she experienced from wearing the traditional high-heeled shoes worn by Peking opera stars.

Giants do fall - no matter their shoes

2007-05-22T18:34:00.000-07:00

Nike is a huge brand in China and many investors are keen to see high returns with the forthcoming Beijing Summer Olympics 2008. Nike meantime are concerned at the poor financial performance some shoe outlets have reported this year. This includes Foot Locker and although there has been no action so far Nike may review their retail policy. Nike also did less well last year by misreading their European and US markets and not jumping on the trend for the popular low profile sneakers preferred by skate-boarders. Critics believe Nike has become too big a company to respond to popular trends and this weakness has a knock on effect which adversely Nike’s financial standing for investors. Whilst Nike has diversified into different types of footwear and purchased several other shoe companies which cater for niche demands, the company’s main focus and core business still is the athletic Nike brand. All this at a time when a large number of Nike consumers are not hard-core athletes but ath-leisure buffs. The consumer interests of this not insignificant demographic, who are more influenced by price, comfort and fashion mean greater sensitivities are required if the giant is to continue trading successfully. Skate boarders come from a low profile culture, where their founders shunned big shoe companies and street-wise kids are always interested in serviceable and fashionable footwear and the cheaper the better. The last thing a company like Nike need is to repeat the faux pas their rivals Reebok did back in the late eighties when they misread trends and introduced the Pump. The introduction of the Pump came as an aftermath of the company allowing distribution of their shoes in the US (1979). The strategy was to establish themselves as shoes of quality which despite price worked extremely well. They caught the aerobics craze and captured the market by catering for the female foot. More women buy trainers than men. The Reebok gamble worked again because they had a long tradition designing sports shoes and aerobics was a fresh field where this expertise was appreciated. Success brought greater competition and expensive advertising. New gimmicks and fashion fads between Reebok and their rivals Nike escalated and when The Pump (Court Victory) (introduced 1989 and relaunched 2006) was overshadowed by the cheaper Nike Air Max the loss of sign value which followed severely effected the market position of the company which in 1987 Reebok controlled one third of the trainer market. Nike may need to tread very carefully from now on.

Got your measure?

2007-05-07T22:22:00.000-07:00

Last year Puma introduced , Mongolian Shoe BBQ which allows clients to customise their trainers. If you visit the site but do not have a local outlet, you can still go through the process of designing a shoe.

In the normal course of events the image is scanned into a computer, sent to Hong Kong for production and the finished shoe is sent out in six weeks. It's available in 11 Puma stores worldwide but already Puma's factory has reached maximum capacity, producing several hundred pairs each week. According to Puma, Mongolian Shoe BBQ gives people the opportunity to touch and play with the fabrics and have more control over the finished product. This appears to be the new flavour in consumerism and not just restricted to footwear

No torch for Vancover

2007-05-06T01:38:00.000-07:00

To herald the opening of next year's games in Beijing, the ceremonial Olympic torch will be carried around the world from Greece to Asia and then to Europe and North America and back to China. However the torch will not be carried through Vancouver (venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics). Observers are unsure whether this is an embarrassing oversight by the organisers or a political gesture as the relationship between China and Canada widens. The continuing rise of China's exports effects countries like Canada who are concerned at the future of their manufacturing industries and its likely decline. Canadian consumers enjoy less expensive Chinese-made sporting equipment, footwear, clothes and consumer electronics but these imported goods are undercutting domestic manufacturers both in their domestic sales and in their exports to the U.S. The onslaught of low-cost Chinese goods is partly responsible for the loss of 250,000 manufacturing jobs in Canada, according to the CLC, which argues that the federal Conservatives have paid little attention to the decline in one of the country's most important sectors.

Childrens' shoe standards

2007-03-24T20:42:00.000-07:00

In Beijing this month, there was a meeting to discuss the standards examination and approval for children’s shoes. Participants included represetatives from the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA), the Leather and Footwear Industry Institute, National Center for Quality Supervision and Inspection of footwear, and CAS Institute of Physiochemical Technology. The focus of the meet was to establish clear standards for childrens’ shoes based upon scientific tests to ensure the shoes fully safeguard normal growth of children’s bones, joints, ligaments etc. This information will maximise safety in childrens’ shoes and set the regulated standard for the Chinese leather footwear market. Other aspects under discussions at the seminar included ways by which to obviate certain bacilli in footwear liner and raw materials. These revised industrial standards will be submitted to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDCR) for approval.

Fashion Access 2007 HK

2007-03-24T03:51:00.001-07:00

Fashion Access is the largest International Trade Fair in Asia for Handbags, Travelware, Footwear, Fur & Leather Garments and Fashion Accessories. Fashion Access is a comprehensive fashion event that covers a wide range of lifestyle fashion products. A comprehensive array of exhibits will be presented in nine product sectors man-made handbags; genuine leather handbags; footwear; travelware; fashion accessories; leather garments; raw materials; man-made leathers; manufacturing equipment & components and process chemicals. This year there will be over 900 exhibitors from more than 35 countries and regions. Products are tailored primarily for boutique and department store buyers. These feature advanced design concepts and craftsmanship and most are available for low volume orders. Fashion Access continues to add to the number of footwear exhibitors. This is due, in large part, to the trend to feature footwear more widely in apparel shops. Footwear will feature prominently on the stands of exhibitors from Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, France, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Thailand and the UK. Among these, some of the exhibitors will feature series of handbag and footwear collections that create a prefect match. Fashion Access 2007will be held on 28 – 30 March, 2007, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, located in Wanchai, the heart of Hong Kong's business and entertainment district.

Yue Yuen to expand

2007-03-04T15:32:00.000-08:00

Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) who make shoes for the top maker of for Nike Inc and other footwear brands are planning to double their network of Chinese outlets in the next two years. The number of outlets throughout China, Vietnam and Indonesia is expected to expand to 3000, with 2000 owned by the company. Yue Yuen want to move away from manufacturing shoes for Nike and Adidas in preference to wholesale and retail. The company produced 196.4 million pairs of shoes in 2006. That would be the equivalent to shod every man, woman and child in Indonesia.

Mileno to shod the Australians

2007-02-19T22:22:00.000-08:00

In the ancient Olympics the wives of competitors were kept from being spectators because the presence of females in the stadium was thought to defile Greece’s oldest religious shrine. The irony of course was the shrine was dedicated to Rhea, the mother of Gods. Females found watching the events were thrown over a nearby cliffs of Mount Typaeum! After Pherenike , the mother of Pisodorus was caught dressed as a judge a law was passed requiring all judges to appear naked. Good thing then everything has changed and in the modern games everyone goes to see what everyone else is wearing, especially the participants. In the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, the Australian Olympic Team will be sporting shoes made by Mileno at the Opening Ceremony and Formal occassions. Mileno will produce two thousand pairs of shoes for potential members of the Team. Mileno was established in Beijing 1989 and now has over 120 outlets in China and 40 outlets in Beijing alone. The Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony will be held on the 8/8/2008, with the number eight considered lucky by the Chinese.

2007-01-11T20:10:00.000-08:00

Most things in the West might seem to be made in China, but North America remains the true workshop of the world. Whilst many companies use China as a manufacturing base, chaging fortunes in the the country are forcing delegation. Manufacture of shoes is labour intensive with each shoe passing through up to 200 pairs of hands on a production line. When it comes to calculating costs, risks, customers and logistics an increasing number of firms are now coming to the conclusion that China is not necessarily the best place to make things. In Indonesia, the Chinese company Yue Yuen , makes casual footwear for brands like Nike and Adidas and is considered the world's largest contract shoe manufacturer. The company produces more than 180 million pairs of shoes a year from factories in China, Vietnam and Indonesia, most of them bound for America and Europe. So when the European Union imposed anti-dumping duties in October 2006 on leather shoes imported from China and Vietnam, the firm was quick to raise its production in Indonesia. China's share of the world's exported goods tripled to 7.3% between 1993 and 2005 and by comparison, with the exception of Russia, every other nation represented at the G8 Conference saw its share fall. It is a similar story with manufacturing output. Whereas China doubled its share of global production to almost 7% in the decade to 2003, most of the G8 saw their shares fall. Interestingly, only the United States and Canada saw their shares rise—with just over a quarter between them. China is the emerging giant, but as costs rise in the industrial sectors of China, (eastern coastal regions around Shanghai and the Pearl River Delta), more investments that are being diverted away from the Mainland China to the rest of Asia. Attempts to develop the west of China (traditionaly rural) have met with resistance. Official figures record 87,000 incidences of rioting and social disturbance in 2005, much of it following the forced appropriation of farmers' land.

When the shoe fits

2007-01-02T01:50:00.000-08:00

Buying foreign, especially high fashion, products has evolved into a growing trend among China's expanding middle class. Almost all world famous brand names such as Gucci and Prada have set up franchise stores in China. EU-made shoes have long been viewed as the pinnacle of fine quality but about 200 pairs of shoes imported from the European Union were recently burnt in Hangzhou, eastern China province of Zhejiang. A spokesperson said imports did not pass quality inspection complied with the rules of the WTO. The amount of shoes destroyed made up nearly 70 percent of the shoe imports inspected by the Zhejiang Industrial and Commercial Administration in the third quarter of the year. Correspondingly Zhejiang, a major shoe production base in China, saw the EU exports drop to a record low for the year of 180 million pairs in October, down 66.4 percent over the same period of last year. Meantime four Chinese shoemakers have sued the European Commission, seeking the withdrawal of the 16.5 pct duty on leather shoe imports into the European Union.

Global Footwear Competence Center is based in Shanghai

2007-01-01T18:02:00.000-08:00

Bayer MaterialScience has established its Global Footwear Competence Center (GFCC), in Jinqiao Industrial Processing Zone, Shanghai, China, where it will spearhead the development of advanced materials and provide technical support to the global footwear industry. The relocation is an acknowledgement by Bayer MaterialScience of the importance of China as a global footwear production centre. Currently China accounts for more than 60 percent of global footwear production. In 2005, more than 7 billion pairs of shoes were made in China, which is more than one pair of shoes for every person on the planet. The GFCC is equipped with the most advanced footwear-related facilities, and include injection-molding machines for both polyurethane and thermoplastic polyurethane applications, casting machines as well as a pre-polymer and polyol formulation pilot plant. The GFCC focuses on the development of new innovative technologies and advanced materials, as well as the continuous improvement of existing technologies. Bayer MaterialScience AG is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction and the sports and leisure industries.