When you open your wardrobe, what do you see? For fashion lovers, countless stories of shoes – skies of designer names, colours and silhouettes filling the void of the wardrobe. But where did these shoes come from? From the runways to your walkways, let’s discover the stories behind these iconic pieces of footwear.
1. Taking Steps Into Inspiration: The Story Behind Fashion Footwear
The footwear industry has inspired countless people to take the first steps into fashion. For many, this opening door is both a journey of exploration and self-discovery, providing a chance to develop their own style and put their creativity into action. But what lies beneath the surface of this captivating craft?
At the heart of it all is the design process, the journey from design concept to realization. It’s a thrilling and unpredictable journey and the outcome often more than exceeds expectations. The journey begins with the designer, taking their ideas and exploring different materials, sourcing from around the world. From tanneries in Tuscany to factories in Brazil, trees in Uruguay to urban workshops in New Jersey.
The selection of fabrics, colours, details and cutting-edge technology that’s used to bring these designs to life, is essential for crafting a quality product. Once all of the pieces of the puzzle have been slotted in place, a prototype emerges and is sent out for extensive testing, examining everything from flexibility and comfort to durability and wearability.
A shoe’s soul though, lies not just in its practicality, but also the style and personality it exudes. This is why the design teams of shoe companies often collaborate with artists, athletes and trendsetters helping to bring new, innovative and voguish ideas to fruition.
- The design process is fuelled by a journey of exploration and self-discovery
- The journey begins with the selection of materials and colours
- Prototypes are extensively tested for quality and satisfaction
- Working alongside athletes and trendsetters add irreplaceable style and personality
So, it’s clear to see why footwear has become such an inspirational commodity and why the feet of many have found their way into its rich culture. For the fashionista, the designer and the trendsetter, the possibilities within the industry seem ever-expanding.
2. Giving Life To Fabrics: Crafting a Shoe Collection
Creating a shoe collection is an ambitious undertaking. You have to consider the type of fabrication you want to use, the design and fit of the shoe, the materials used, and the end result. Crafting a fabulous shoe collection requires thoughtful preparation and creative solutions.
Start with the Fabric. Fabrics are the building blocks of any shoe collection. Depending on the aesthetic, you can work with anything from leather, suede, silk, and velvet to bamboo, sequins, and jute. Think about the appearance and feel of each material, as well as its practicality. Also, consider the colors and textures available and how they correspond to the rest of the design.
Choose the Right Fit. The fit of the shoe should be just right; not too tight and not too loose. It should also be comfortable to wear. Measurements are essential to finding the ideal size. As such, you should take into account not only the traditional measurements of length, width, and depth, but also the rise and arch of each shoe.
Enhance with Unique Details. Once the fabric and fitting is in order, it’s time to think of the specific details to include in your collection. Here, you can consider adding bold hardware, laces of different types, and embellishments like gems and sequins. These give your shoe collection its distinctive look.
Put It All Together. After selecting the material, fit, and unique details, your shoe collection is almost ready. With the combination of various elements, you can create a look that is original and stylish. By taking into account the fabrication, design, and materials used, your shoes will come alive as a stylish reflection of your creative vision.
3. Liberating the Runway: Bringing Style to the Streets
The street style trend has changed the way we view everyday fashion, with the idea of translating runway looks and luxury pieces into everyday life giving everyday wearers the perfect opportunity to make classic or-trendy outfits with the pieces already in their wardrobe. The street style trend has surprisingly become fashion’s driving force, setting the stage for those to showcase who they are and how they express themselves – with their outfit.
Take for example a simple pair of trousers and a blouse – if a fashion wearer adds a funky belt and a stylish bag, they’ve already completed their outfit with a multitude of different pieces in their wardrobe. Wearing these pieces with a pair of sneakers or a fashionable heel is another way to give your look a pop of chic even with the most basic wardrobe.
Street style encourages confidence and expression and what better way to express your own style than by wearing something that makes you stand out from the crowd. With such a vast array of vintage, thrift and fast-fashion pieces, creating an outfit that stands out can be simple and relatively affordable.
Accessorising an outfit is the best way to add a personal touch. Accessories can make or break an outfit so be bold and think out of the box. A statement headband, chunky necklace or statement earrings that draw attention and show off your own style gives your outfit the perfect pop of colour.
So, the next time you go out, remember the following:
- Stay true to yourself
- Be confident and take risks when styling
- Think outside of the box
- Nobody other than YOU will be wearing it
4. Taking a Stand: Moving the Shoe Industry Forward
The shoe industry has faced difficult times for the past few years. But the current state of affairs doesn’t have to stay this way. With a little effort, the industry could make great strides towards becoming a part of the solution to the world’s many environmental and labor issues.
Making Change Within the Industry: Companies and manufacturers need to take initiative and hold themselves accountable for the production and disposal of their product. That means better monitoring of working conditions in overseas factories, sourcing supplies more ethically, and taking full responsibility for any environmental damage caused. It also means investing in sustainable materials and manufacturing processes, like those that don’t involve toxic solvents.
Encouraging Reusability: One of the keys to cutting back on waste is encouraging customers to purchase shoes that are built to last. Shoes should be constructed of durable materials and designed for repair over replacement. Manufacturers can implement programs that allow customers to return their worn-out shoes for repairs, or trade them in for new ones. The end goal is to create a circular economy of sorts, where shoes won’t be thrown away after a few wears, but reused and refurbished.
Realigning Pricing: In order to incentivize customers to buy long-lasting shoes, prices need to reflect the quality. Otherwise, low-priced, low-quality alternatives become the only affordable and attractive option. Polyurethane-based materials and repairable soles should become standard, and pricier, more sustainable materials should be embraced.
Adopting Ethical Manufacturing Practices: Implementing ethical working standards is more important than ever. The industry should ensure that fair wages, reasonable hours, and safe working conditions are made available to the people working in factories. Companies should be held accountable for any violations, and regular audits should be conducted.
It’s time for the shoe industry to take a stand and make real, lasting change. For too long, the industry has turned a blind eye to the environmental and labor issues that plague it. By improving practices, embracing sustainability, and providing ethical working conditions, the industry can make strides towards becoming an even, ethical, and sustainable player in the global economy.
Shoe Stories: From Runway to Walkway has been a fascinating journey, where we’ve explored both how the fashion industry dictates trends in footwear and how different cultures and personalities make each type of shoe their own. From the view of the producers to that of their customers, how we wear shoes is ever-evolving. And with each passing generation, the way we view shoes is changing, too. Who knows what the future holds for the shoes of tomorrow!
