Fashion Talk

Many shoe companies talk about being green, eco friendly etc. etc but in dubious times reality checks are needed, so let us ask the question openly: Do shoe brands actually walk their talk?

One shoe company; Wicked Footwear has been at the fashion forefront since 1997 establishing several brands fitting many lifestyles, from motorsports and lifestyle collection to hikers and casual walkers. Now Wicked Footwear is pleased to introduce you to its newest division — Wicked Hemp a VEGAN FRIENDLY COMPANY.

Wicked Hemp takes the extra step of using natural materials that are friendly to the earth and it’s a good fit for their customers around the world that wear their shoes. The ‘other guys’ make claims about their shoes being ‘green’ but the materials most brands they use are not really sustainable despite what they claim, it’s just probably only the name tag.

OK, what make’s for the truth are the two major components of all footwear, the upper materials and the soles. Wicked Hemp primarily uses HEMP throughout their line.

Most recently Wicked Hemp experimented with trying BASKET WEAVE wood pulp materials that were successfully introduced. Think about it, Wicked Hemp uses wood and hemp, two abundant materials that have been around for thousands of years. When properly utilized hemp has many different uses or benefits for society that include products such as paper, textiles, oil, rope, boat sails and canvas.

Matter of fact, the name canvas is derived from the Arabic word meaning cannabis. Hemp is a plant that can be used to produce thousands of products, why not shoes? Hemp is of the same plant species that produces marijuana but you can’t smoke this. Its scientific name is Cannabis Sativa. Hemp has been used for thousands of years to produce. Both upper materials are sustainable and have been proven to last. Recently hemp material was found that was over 8 thousand years old.

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The original skate shoes manufacturer proves to be a big hit with the youth market at Extremepie.com; however the highly functional and stylish skate have much broader appeal.

Vans shoes first came to the market in 1966, catering to the growing popularity of skateboarding and rapidly became one of the best loved street brands, producing a wide range of shoes and apparel specifically targeting the highly popular sport. With such a long pedigree in the industry, it is no surprise that they are one of the leading brands for skaters, and with top names endorsing the brand including some of the world’s leading skateboarders, and sponsorship of some of the major skating and x-games events, they remain at the forefront of the sport.

“Vans are one of the most easily recognisable skate brands, having provided the footwear for generations of skaters since the birth of the sport in the 1960’s and are just as popular today as when the skating craze first started” says Extremepie.com MD Richard Gundle. The shoes are a popular choice at the online skating and extreme sports apparel store, with the brand no longer restricted to skaters, with it now catering to the full range of street sports.

Whilst the brand has diversified from skater apparel and footwear into all extreme street sports, Vans shoes are still primarily constructed for skateboarders, providing a high quality construction, double and triple stitched panels for extra protection from grip tape, and use leather and mesh for comfort and breathability, in addition to traditional suede to give greater durability to deal with a highly abrasive environment.

Vans shoes are the product of years of research and testing, and feature the waffle grip sole unit which is still widely regarded as the best sole design for skate shoes in the industry, providing unbeatable grip and great board feel. Vans shoes use vulcanized sticky rubber for the soles, with a waffle iron pattern to maximise surface area for expert traction, whilst each section acting as a sucker to keep the feet firmly on the board. Skate shoes are known to have to deal with brutal treatment, with Vans shoes designed to cope with the abuse from grip tape and concrete, with high wear areas reinforced to improve the lifespan. Vans have incorporated their Duracap system into the shoes, so that they remain functional when the uppers wear through, thanks to a thin rubber underlay which prolongs the lifespan considerably.

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Warm spring weather sparks a surge in sales of Keen Shoes, as water sports and outdoor enthusiasts are able to secure early season discounts on hybrid shoes for the summer.

The first decent spell of warm sunny spring weather is usually enough to see consumers heading to the shops and online stores to pick up new footwear for the summer. This year has proved to be no different, with most of the country bathed in sunshine and temperatures heading into the twenties, it was a welcome reminder that summer is fast approaching and that wardrobes need to be replenished before the summer starts. Visitors to online performance footwear retailer Fitnessfootwear.com have been treated to massive early season discounts on summer shoes and sandals, with Keen shoes one of the most popular choices. Current discounts offer up to 20% savings on the recommended retail price, something which has proved to be too much to resist for its customers with Keen shoes sales soaring.

Keen shoes started life in 2003, with the brand formed with the singular goal of producing a new breed of sandal which offered exceptional protection for the toes. The brand was launched with the Keen Newport, a revolutionary new shoe with the lightweight and airy design of a sandal and the sturdy performance of a walking shoe. Termed hybrid footwear, the shoes offered the benefits of both shoes and sandals, and proved to be an instant hit with outdoor enthusiasts, with both hikers and water sports aficionados flocking to the brand. One of the key components which made the brand such a runaway success is the patented toe protection system. The soles of Keen shoes wrap up and around the toes for exceptional protection on the trail and from underwater hazards, with the quick drying water resistant design ideal for a life in and out of the water. Whilst the toe protection system was designed for use in their range of sandals, the system now features in every Keen shoe model, even in their range of slippers, making stubbed toes a thing of the past.

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The Bleak weather outlook at the Christmas rush sees many stay indoors to do their Christmas shopping, with record sales recorded at Purekit.com

Two weeks of bitter cold, snow and ice has kept many Christmas shoppers indoors, however the current thaw has seen shoppers head out in their droves to make up for lost time with shopping centres and high streets inundated. However with a further cold front fast approaching, and more subzero temperatures expected later this week, anyone looking to leave Christmas shopping until the weekend could well be in for a miserable time. With a few days still left to post in time for Christmas, the sales rush is being felt at PureKit.com, the nation’s favourite online supplier of outdoor clothing and footwear.

Whilst many head out and brave the queues and cold weather, online stores such as Purekit.com have enjoyed record visitors and sales, as many shoppers choose to ease the burden this year by ordering their presents and warm winter clothing online. The website has long been a popular choice in the run up to Christmas, with the full range of outdoor footwear and equipment the natural place to shop for lovers of the great outdoors. However more and more shoppers are taking advantage of the convenience of internet shopping with the conditions outdoors being an extra incentive to buy many presents online this year.

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Summer is drawing to a close. The longer days and the sunny sky made for perfect conditions for following an outdoor pursuit. Autumn is nearly upon us, and for a large portion of outdoor enthusiasts, it’s the best time of year to go outside.

Online outdoor clothing retailer OutdoorLook.co.uk are there to help, and offer a fine selection of affordable clothing engineered for the outside, from top quality brands such as Craghoppers, Hawkshead and Regatta, so you can be confident and comfortable during those crisp and fresh autumn mornings.

The Regatta name has over 80 years of valuable experience catering for the outdoor lover. During this time they have evolved into the UK’s largest supplier of outdoor clothing, in addition to being a popular brand on the continent too.

Regatta’s motto; “Come out and play”, represents the character of the brand perfectly, and this autumn, Outdoor Look are offering their ‘best-selling’ item, the Regatta Action Trousers, at half price! Keeping in tone with the classic trouser design, the comfortable Regatta Action Trousers bring together comfort and durability.

Engineered with a water repellent finish, the Regatta Action Trousers have a double seat to provide extra strength, making them an ideal for the uncertain weather conditions ahead this autumn.

Ian Brookes, founder of Outdoorlook.co.uk, says; “The Regatta Action Trousers are our best-seller, and it is not difficult to see why. The combine a traditional casual style but have been engineered to do more than look good.

“A trouser with a water repellent feature is a must for any outdoor lover, and we at Outdoor Look are proud to be offering them as such a fantastic discount.”

Available in both Men’s and Women’s, the Regatta Action Trousers are available in a variety of colours complimentary to the rest of the Outdoor Look range.

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With the summer music festival circuit in full swing, Outdoor Look founder Ian Brookes has highlighted the attention that should be paid to ensuring you are properly attired for a long-weekend of potentially mixed weather conditions.

Having recently had celebrated their first anniversary online, Outdoor Look are amidst their second summer catering for festival goers, and even though many are now travelling abroad to potentially warmer and sunnier climates, many more are opting to stay in Britain to sample festivals which are popping up across the country.

But with British weather famously unpredictable, there is almost a market in itself for festival wear; durable, comfortable clothes with no sacrifice made on design or fashion.

Ian Brookes, Managing Director at OutdoorLook.co.uk said: “Whilst it is important to cover for all eventualities, at the same time you don’t want to take too much with you to the festival. We stock a great collection of outdoor wear, from waterproof jackets and warm fleeces, to durable t-shirts and comfortable shoes, which are all well designed and built to last, whatever the weather.”

The UK’s leading stockists of discount Outdoor clothing stock a range of well-known brands such as Regatta, Hi-Tec, Craghoppers, and Helly Hansen, with up to 75% off RRP and free delivery on orders over £50.

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ES www.tessrl.it announces the first collection of up and coming designer Marco Vaccari. The collection will be presented at the TRANOI Parc Royal Showroom for 4 days during the Paris Menswear Fashion Week, June 24th - 27th. The collection is open to guests of the TRANOI Fashion Tradeshow.

TRANOI is an exclusive Fashion Tradeshow marked for its ability to launch unknown designers into household names. Far from the commercial mass Fashion Tradeshows, it focuses on emerging talent and authentic innovators.

In a few short months TES has received international acclaim, with distribution through luxury department stores L’Eclaireur in Paris and Strasburgo in Japan (Ginza).

TES is also opening distribution in the Middle Eastern, Russian, Asian, American and European markets via collaboration with the Damasco Showroom located at Via Senato 6, Milan, Italy www.damascosrl.it.

The Spring Summer 2011 Collection represents a masculine approach to the contemporary. Through 4 lines:

TRADIZIONI, Traditional craftsmanship

REVERSIBILE, Reversible belts in super soft calf leather

TINTO A MANO, Hand Colored alligator and calf leather

QUARTA LINEA, The 4th line offering a more robust approach to the men’s accessory

The collection is a union of couture, taking into consideration material, workmanship and liberty of form. The material itself, which is painstakingly sourced, hand treated, sewn and dyed, becomes a point of departure for a dandy and refined man.

Creativity is rarely enough to create luxury. The TES Men’s accessory is an intersection between the skilled ability of the Vaccari family, experts in the field of belt and wallet creation and design of 28-year-old Marco Vaccari.

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Animal the freesports apparel brand is proud to announce that their new watch range has been launched on their online store.

The launch of the new watch range marks the anniversary of Animal’s 22nd year in the freesports watch industry and is the largest and most diverse watch range designed by the Animal in-house team.

All Animal watches are 100% designed and built f r o m scratch by the Animal design team. During the lifespan of every watch model, Animal reviews, improves or replaces any component that doesn’t come up to scratch using information received f r o m Animal sponsored riders and customers.

Recent key pieces have used titanium cases and bracelets, carbon fibre, laser-etching, and advanced composites. Another highlight in the range available on the Animal E Store is the RIP System model that charges by the wearer’s movements, and never requires battery changes.

The new Animal watch microsite will showcase the full range of Animal men’s watches and women’s watches as well as including key features such as a filter system which enables customers to select their ideal watch. Team rider testimonials and added bonuses such as downloadable wallpapers will also be included.

Animal aligns itself as a lifestyle brand based around a number of core sports including surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, bodyboard, mountain bike, BMX, wakeboard, freeski, snowboarding and motorcross. Animal also sponsors key events across these sports and has a team of riders ranging f r o m youth development through to professional.

The E-Store will stock one of the widest selections of Animal products available in the UK including extensive clothing ranges as well as watches, footwear, luggage, eyewear and accessories.

Animal has taken the decision to launch an online store as e-tailing is the fastest growing form of shopping and is proven to have become an essential part of Animal customers’ lives.

Animal CEO Kevin Keaney said: “I am delighted that with the launch of the Animal E-Store our loyal customers across the UK will now be able to access a full range of Animal merchandise 24/7. The benefit of shopping at the E-Store will be its ability to offer Animal products UK wide and in a space unconstrained by shop floor size.”

Not only will the E-Store stock all the latest Animal collections but there will be regular opportunities to win unique and exclusive prizes. All orders before the 30 September will receive free standard delivery and automatically go through to a prize draw to win a holiday for two on next year’s Animal Snowcamp to Austria.

The E-Store gives shoppers the chance to check out the new autumn/winter season range just as the new Animal clothes are going into stores. As well as clothes, shoppers can order footwear, wallets, gifts and Animal bags. E-gift vouchers are also available for those who are traditionally tricky to buy presents for.

About Animal
Established in 1987 in Poole, Dorset, Animal is one of the UK’s leading freesport brands specialising in the design, marketing and retailing of freesports influenced clothing, technical clothing, footwear, luggage, eyewear, accessories and watches.

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The UK is in full summer swing and SweatyBetty has recently released a new glamorous summer and beach wear range for fit and healthy females. The new striking beach wear collection sees the arrival of several stylish statement pieces and outfits for the uber active. The beach wear collections have something for everyone, longer length tankinis, bandeaus, three way tops, gorgeous halter bikinis, under-wire options, padding and larger cup sizes help to ensure a perfect fit. Nevertheless, the really exciting news is the arrival is the new and improved Fitflop. Last year Sweatybetty helped in creating the popularity attached to the Fitflop.

The sports and leisure fashion brand are renowned for its collaboration with the cult brand fitflops. For those who are not yet aware, TEXT Fitflops are a new, innovative and fashionable footwear sandal which will tone legs and bum whilst on the move. Fitflops are a great way to get fit and look great without stepping foot in the gym. Fit Flops are available at Sweatybetty in a range of colour, designs and sizes. Fitflops are engineered with a safety tapered varying density mid-sole that creates a micro wobbleboard workout in every step. Furthermore, the Fit Flop’s uniquely built multi-density midsole activates muscles mid-step to help tone thighs, calves and gluteus maximus.

The new and exclusive black and white Walkstar III features dynamic topstitching, streamlined leather upper and a soft microfiber lining for maximum comfort across the instep. Like all fitflops they are built with the patent-pending ‘microwobbleboardTM’ mid-sole technology. This technology is proven to load and work a range of muscles more effectively when wearing them on the move. Fitflops are idea for any individual, male or female that may not have enough time to regularly go to the gym. The advanced technology makes these sandals an idea substitute for the gym, perfect for those individuals regularly on the move and looking to stay fit, toned and lean.

SweatyBetty’s fantastic offer to win a magnificent weekend break, all expenses paid is only available for a limited time. Every pair of Black and White Walkstar III sandals features a street plan of a major city on its sole. If guessed correctly, a weekend trip is up for grabs. Just answer the simple question, which city’s street map is featured on the bottom of the black and white Walkstar III sandal by Fitflop? If answered correctly the lucky winner could be jet setting off on a luxury break to that city, with flights, accommodation and a whopping £500 spending money all included. The competition is open to all United Kingdom residents.

To enter this competition visit SweatyBetty online.

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Official Pro Sports, a leading retailer of professional sports apparel and equipment today announced the addition of many new lines of MMA clothing including top brands such as Chess Game Fight, Extreme Pain. Representing a collection of up and coming contenders in the world of Mixed Martial Arts, Official Pro Sports has captured the essence of what makes the ultimate fighting industry so engaging for fans of all ages and backgrounds. From Triumph United and ADX to Extreme Pain and Sprawl, Official Pro Sports brings forward the hottest brands in MMA clothing and a MMA Gear. You can find MMA shirts from The Pain Factory and Chess Game Fight wear among others.

Featuring top fighters such as Kimbo Slice from EliteXC, Mayhem Miller WEC Fighter, Rampage Jackson UFC Fighter, Team M, Tiki WEC Fighter, and Sokoudjou. The addition of these new lines provides competitors and fans with a variety of comfortable styles and quality threads to practice, compete or simply represent. Official Pro Sports seeks to be the source for professional sports apparel and like many of the fighters of MMA today, the online retailers has quickly made a name for itself among its competition. As part of its low cost shipping policy, Official Pro Sports offers five dollar shipping on all United States orders and seven dollar shipping on all Canadian orders.

“Adding to our selection of MMA clothing, a MMA Gear, and MMA Shirts, has been a continuous effort. We aim to stay ahead of the trends and bring style and value to world of MMA,” said Keoki Kaine, spokesperson for Official Pro Sports. “Offering competitive prices on top brands, we seek to bring the underground world of MMA clothing to the masses. We couldn’t be happier with the recent activity revolving around MMA gear,”Kaine concluded.

Official Pro Sports offers the benefit of one stop shopping for MMA gear and MMA clothing supporting a variety of fan gear across the professional sports and mixed martial arts arena.

As a multidimensional supplier of sports apparel and equipment, Official Pro Sports carries a number of brands in MMA clothing, UFC gear, NFL, MBA, MLB, NHL, Elite XC and motorsports apparel, gear and equipment. By providing low cost shipping rates and competitive prices, Official Pro Sports provides everything you need to “keep it official”. For more information on Official Pro Sports, please visit http://www.officialprosports.com.

About Official Pro Sports
Official Pro Sports is a leading online retailer, providing professional sports apparel and equipment for MMA, UFC, WEC, NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, Elite XC and motorsports. The company takes pride in being a single source for athletic apparel including MMA clothing, a UFC Gear, fight & sports apparel, as well as many other items offering serious athletes official apparel and equipment to compete like professionals. With headquarters in Murrieta, CA, Official Pro Sports is a privately held company. Founded in January, 2008 Official Pro Sports has quickly become a key player allowing customers to “Keep it Official with Official Pro Sports.” For information about Official Pro Sports please visit the company’s web site at http://www.officialprosports.com.

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www.Blind9Golf.com, an established retailer of golf equipment, golf apparel and golf accessories, today announced its Summer Closeout Sale on Women’s Golf Apparel, including top brands such as Verdina, Aphira, Le Tigre, Puma and more.

Prominent in the closeout lineup is the Verdina collection which provides female golfers the advantage of style, comfort and performance offering a number of prints, colors and clothing items including dresses, skorts, skirts, shorts, pants and shirts. From wrap dresses, to racerback, florals and stripes, women can swing with ease and look good at the same time. As summer comes to an end, many of the items are offered at reduced prices, offering shoppers tremendous savings.

Within the closeout sale, shoppers can find versatile shorts and skorts that are not only ideal for the golf course but also for everyday wear. Complete with the practicality of shorts with the added feminine qualities of a skirt, the Verdina skort features deep pockets designed to hold all the essentials, tees, picks etc. With the built in shorts underneath, this skort makes a round of golf one in which golfers can play with confidence and discretion.

“The Verdina Golf Line is quite popular among our in-store shoppers as the fabrics, patterns and cuts are ones that female golfers can appreciate,” stated Sherri Brown, spokesperson for Blind 9 Golf. “Our entire Closeout on Women’s Golf Apparel provides shoppers with significant savings, with many items being close to 50% off list price,” Brown concluded.

In addition to the Verdina line, customers can browse among other top brands such as the well known Aphira line, Le Tigre and Puma collections. Manufactured from quality piques, cotton, lycra and spandex blends, many items provide soft durability with ease of movement and breathability as additional benefits.

Featuring the latest and most desired products on the market, Blind 9 Golf aims to provide golfers the ability to perfect their game with cutting edge equipment, accessories and performance fitting clothing. In addition to the Women’s Golf Apparel Sale, Blind 9 Golf provides seasonal best sellers, classic standbys and the newest trends in golf apparel, golf equipment and golf shoes for men, women and kids.

Providing a wide selection of golf clubs, drivers, shoes and apparel, Blind 9 Golf has a full inventory of golf equipment ideal for all skill levels. For more information on the closeout items or the latest inventory additions, please visit http://www.Blind9Golf.com.

About Blind 9 Golf
Blind 9 Golf offers a distinguishable selection of golf equipment, golf apparel and golf accessories featuring top of the line manufacturers such as Adams Golf, adidas, Callaway, Bridgestone, Puma Golf, Mizuno, Nickent, OGIO, TaylorMade, Sun Mountain, Verdina, Lija, Kangol, SkyCaddie, Precept, Wilson Staff, Tour Edge, Volvik, Daphne’s Headcovers and more. Founded in 2006 with headquarters and a retail location in Monrovia, CA, Blind 9 Golf is home to golf enthusiasts of all skill levels offering everything needed to equip and prepare today’s golfer for the best game. From golf clubs, putters, golf shirts, golf shoes and accessories, Blind 9 Golf provides quality, selection and affordability. For more information, please visit http://www.Blind9Golf.com.

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