HEAVEN HAS HEELS
THE GIVE THANKS ISSUE
ISSUE 7 november 2013
HeavenHasHeels. KUULA + JYLHÄ shoes
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
.com
contents WHAT DO YOU GIVE THANKS FOR? This issue we asked some of our favorite designers that very question. You’ll be touched by their response.
INSPIRED DESIGN What happens when two artists take their design friendship to the next level? We find out when we talk fanciful footwear with Finnish designers Essi Kuula and Marika Jylhä.
EYE ON BRITISH DESIGN From Nicholas Kirkwood to Julian Hakes, the talent coming out of Britain is taking the design world by storm. We discover why.
SHOE LOVER’S GUIDE TO LONDON Three must-see destinations for the London bound shoe lover.
WINE, WOMEN & SHOES Meet the power team who combine wine, women and a worthy cause.
MANITOBAH MUKLUKS
“We’re not in a business with a cause, we’re a cause with a business.” Manitobah Mukluks’ cofounder and president shares his wisdom.
OUR GUIDE TO GIVING BACK Three footwear charities that will inspire.
WELL HEELED HOT SEAT
We put philanthropist and champion surfer, Tiarah Blanco in our Well Heeled Hot Seat. This inspiring teen is definitely one to watch.
SHOP Sit back, relax and let your fingers do the walking with the best of this season’s heels.
HEAVEN HAS HEELS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Angela Gilltrap CREATIVE DIRECTOR Amanda Smythe PHOTO DIRECTOR James Collins ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kerri Jarema COPY EDITOR Sarah Wilkes WEB DESIGNER Kris Black
CONTRIBUTORS Thomas Alfaro, Alberto Barea, Javier Canas, Stephen Ciuccoli, Africa Garrido, Nigel Isaiah
Special thanks to shop
Heaven Has Heels magazine is published by Lot 17 Media, 444 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022. The entire contents of Heaven Has Heels are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Heaven Has Heels accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and/or photographs and assumes no liability for products or services advertised herein. Heaven Has Heels reserves the right to edit, rewrite, refuse or reuse material, is not responsible for errors or omissions and may feature same on HeavenHasHeels.com, as well as other mediums for any and all purposes.
ON THE COVER KUULA + JYLHĂ„ shoes
GET YOUR ISSUE OF HEAVEN HAS HEELS. SUBSCRIBE NOW AT HEAVENHASHEELS.COM
www.pearlycollection.com
RUNWAY collect RUNWAY collect MADRID SS2013
RUNWAY collect MADRID SS2014
relive the runway...
EDITOR’S note When we began putting together this issue, I tried a little experiment. In our frantic lives led by the never ending quest for over achievement, we often forget to give thanks for the little things—the random acts of kindness that may otherwise go unnoticed, the amusing sights that seem a regular occurrence on the streets of New York City and particularly our friends and family who make us laugh when all we want to do is cry. So for 30 days I chose three things a day to give thanks for and what a difference it made. Exhausted and impatient, I gave thanks for the immigration officer who made me laugh—not a small feat when you’ve done 40 fashion shows in three days on next to no sleep. On my journey from the airport, I gave thanks for the taxi driver who let me stay in the car while he changed our flat tire on the side of the highway. Once home, I thanked my lucky stars for the often overlooked luxury of sleeping horizontally. With only three things to give thanks for I didn’t even get a chance to add the heartfelt message I received welcoming me home and the many messages from friends I left behind saying I was already missed. When you break it down, we really do have a lot to be thankful for. Of course we’re always trying to step up—a better job, a nicer house, a perfect relationship but the fact is, life is pretty amazing whichever way you look at it and that’s what we’re celebrating in this issue. Full of inspiring tales from the world of footwear, we hope you enjoy our first “Give Thanks” issue.
Angela Gilltrap Photographer: STEPHEN CIUCCOLI
Editor-In-Chief
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
Georgine Ratelband Georgine.info “With all the new designers that come and go, I’m thankful that I am still around and grateful for all the opportunities that I receive.”
LAUREN BAGLIORE LaurenBagliore.com “We all go through trying times in life, but my faith is the one thing that keeps me going and certainly gets me through the hardest of times. I am thankful for that. Without belief, there is really no purpose to anything we strive to achieve in life.”
KAROLYN PHO KarolynPho.com “I’m thankful for all the loving, supportive and talented people who make up my world. Also, cashmere sweaters and Hendricks martinis.”
DON O’NEILL TheiaCouture.com “I give thanks for Pascal Guillermie, my fiancé. I am truly blessed! He has stayed by my side for 20 years. He is filled with love, he is patient, passionate, caring, considerate, organized, generous and adventurous. He never gives up on anything or anyone he loves and always finds a solution to every problem. He wants to make the world a better, more beautiful place for everyone he knows.”
give thanks
WHAT DO YOU
FOR?
“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” — Albert Schweitzer In our whirlwind lives we don’t always take the time to stop and smell the roses; to be appreciative of the people, circumstances and experiences that make us who we are. In this issue, we asked four of our favorite designers what they give thanks for. Behind your favorite designs are people who, just like you, are molded by the love and inspiration of others.
What do you give thanks for? Tweet us @HHHeels #GiveThanks
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
inspired
dESIGN
KUULA + JYLHÄ
Entrenched in master craftsmanship, innovation and beauty, the designs of Kuula + Jylhä continue to shine. We caught up with the founders of the brand, Finnish designers, Essi Kuula and Marika Jylhä, to talk inspired design. Now a dynamic design duo, how did you meet? We met over ten years ago in an art course designed to prepare students for university. We didn’t really talk much because we are both quite shy, but the next autumn we got accepted into the same art school and have been great friends ever since. How did you end up working together? We had been working on our own but always talked about our projects together. Our way of thinking is very similar, so it’s easy to describe our vision. We talked about working together for a long time and in 2011 we finally made it a reality. It has been a truly wonderful and inspiring experience ever since. What draws you to footwear design? Footwear design is like architecture for the feet. You are essentially building a home, preferably one that is functional
and comfortable. It’s very challenging to combine that functionality with our often complex aesthetic, but we love the challenge. We love those little moments of realization, when we’ve been struggling with a design problem and suddenly realize how to solve it. That moment when you see the objects you have only imagined transform into reality is really amazing. What is the biggest challenge when creating a Kuula + Jylhä collection? It’s definitely time. Footwear manufacturing is a very slow process. And hand-made footwear takes even more time to manufacture. There are so many different parts to making a shoe properly that unfortunately, it can’t be hurried. For us, the challenge is also how to combine the functionality with the wild visions we have on our sketch table. What is one thing that people who love shoes take for granted when it comes to design? With high-quality footwear, people often forget that the product they have in their hands has undergone a long journey from concept to creation. Developing a beautiful, functional and comfortable shoe is not a simple thing to do.
kuulajylha.com
What’s your design goal at Kuula + Jylhä? The goal with our designs is to break the boundaries of design and broaden people’s perception of what footwear design should be. People often have quite a serious relationship with their shoes. We would like to see more people get crazy. For us, shoes are like little sculptures you can wear. Do you think your Scandinavian background affects how you design? Yes, it probably affects the materials we use in our designs. We love natural materials. We believe the combination of leather and wood is simply beautiful. And the feeling of real materials is very different from that of plastic and synthetics. Our wooden heels are prepared in northern Finland from local woods, often birch and aspen although the northern climate doesn’t really affect our designs. So far we have made collections only for the warmer seasons and we’re dreaming of a year-round summer just for our shoes. But who knows, maybe in the future there will be a Kuula+Jylhä snow collection. What’s in store for 2014? Right now we are manufacturing our 2013 collection, ready for our customers. At the same time there is a new collection brewing in our heads that we would like to dive into. But that’s still a secret.
kuulajylha.com
HEAVEN HAS HAS HEELS HEELS nov nov 2013 2013 HEAVEN
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
BEAUTY W ITH A THOUGHT
Available at Efva Attling Boutique 36 Little W 12th Street New York 212 510 7071 efvaattling.com
eye ON
BRITISH DESIGN There’s a reason why the likes of Tom Ford relocated to London. The pool of design talent coupled with the history and energy of the city, is what makes the British aesthetic so unique. The city has been on the forefront of fashion trends for centuries, from punk to pop, and the footwear industry is no different. Unlike other countries, fashion and footwear share common ground when it comes to industry showcases in the U.K.. This year, Manolo Blahnik showed at London Fashion Week among established brands and emerging designers. While footwear innovators such as Nicholas Kirkwood and Charlotte Olympia become household names, it’s retailers like Selfridges— boasting the world’s largest footwear department—that help promote the fanciful world of footwear to even the most reluctant shoe-nista. Behind it all, is the governing body that helps propel designers into the global arena—the British Footwear Association. Providing industry support, expertise and financial aid we caught up with BFA’s John Saunders—a 30 year footwear veteran—to talk the future of British design.
How would you describe British Footwear design? British design at its most traditional is classic heritage, high quality with great attention to detail—best exemplified by Northampton men’s companies. New designers are coming through who are recognized for their innovation. Brands like Northern Cobbler are able to call on this heritage for quality and build in new and often surprising twists that push boundaries and develop a new interpretation of classic British themes. Other brands increasingly call on outside architectural influences as shown in the work of United Nude and Julian Hakes. Ethical issues often drive design philosophies with Aspiga and Laid Back London championing native workers and Beyond Skin, promoting vegan footwear. What is the role of the British Footwear Association? The BFA works closely with all the major design colleges to ensure courses reflect the commercial needs of the industry, and to make sure graduates are as aware as possible of the demands of the mainstream footwear business. Through their own training HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
courses, the BFA gives access to hands on practical development that covers all aspects of the making of shoes, through costing to aspects of the QA/QC process. Who is accepted into the BFA? The BFA is an inclusive body for all companies that are involved in the manufacturing, design, innovation and sourcing of footwear. To become members of the association, companies must be registered and based in the U.K.
with affinity partners for our members from legal advice, brand registration, exhibition stand builders, travel agency freight and forwarding companies. BFA has developed a range of industry relevant training, support and guidance and facilitates networking with the global footwear market. If you had to choose three characteristics that could sum up British Footwear design, what would they be? Quality, innovation and attention to detail— an ability to mix tradition with quirkiness.
How have you seen the industry change over the past few years? The industry has become much more competitive, brands are now required to sell globally to be successful, as the home market is more in the hands of a few larger companies. With so much competition, how does the BFA help designers reach their goals? The BFA has been representing British Footwear since 1890. First and foremost the BFA gives designers and brands access to a network of over 140 other companies to protect the interests of the footwear industry and those employed in it. We are the access point for international exhibitions such as GDS, MICAM and Platform. We are an approved trade organization and are able to access and secure export funding via the relationship with and support from UKTI. We provide relevant business services
britishfootwearassociation.co.uk HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
JULIAN HAKES julianhakes.co.uk
This former architect took the footwear industry by storm with his revolutionary Mojito heel. Pushing the boundaries of design, this show stopper has reached the far corners of the world. Stay tuned for what’s to come from this award winning British designer.
VICTORIA SPRUCE victoriaspruce.com
Edgy, innovative and fashion forward, Victoria Spruce is a graduate of both the Royal College of Art and the London College of Fashion. Working as a freelance designer while working on her own collection, this designer is one to watch.
LIAM FAHY LIAMFAHY.COM
Winner of both the Drapers Footwear Designer of the Year award and the first ever Fashion Fringe Accessory award, Liam Fahy is fast becoming a household name. Graduating in 2006, this young designer is catapulting the competition with his catchy designs and eye for detail.
KERRIE LUFT KERRIELUFT.COM
Welcome to the fanciful world of Kerrie Luft. Another winner of the Fashion Fringe Accessory award, she has worked alongside Bruno Frisoni at Roger Vivier in Paris and as you can see, is taking footwear to the next level.
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
SELFRIDGES A trip to London would not be complete without stopping by The Shoe Galleries at Selfridges—the largest shoe department in the world. If there is such a thing as shoe heaven, ladies, then this is it. From Vans to Valentino, more than 5,000 pairs of shoes are displayed over 35,000 square feet. This is serious shoe shopping for the ultimate heel connoisseur. The vast space set aside for these heavenly heels was designed by architect Jamie Fobert and includes six different salons and plenty of plush seating to take in the ambiance. The department even has its own restaurant, French eatery Aubaine in which to rest and recharge. Centrally located and sure to provide Instagram magic, this London shopping attraction is a must when it comes to our shoe lovers guide to London.
style.selfridges.com
I CAN MAKE SHOES Do you have a sneaking suspicion that you may be the next Nicholas Kirkwood? Charlotte Olympia? Christian Louboutin? Well I CAN Make Shoes is the perfect place to start. Providing an insider’s guide to the footwear industry, it offers shoe making courses that give you a taste of the designing life. Courses include Ballet Pumps for Beginners, Summer Sandal Making and Mastering Footwear. Our favorite however, has to be Become a Shoe Design Icon—a half day course that teaches footwear design from both a creative and technical point of view. In this class, you learn how to turn your favorite shoe design into a pattern. Ready to take on the footwear world. The perfect taster class for those thinking about starting a career in footwear design, the only thing left to do is sign up. Best of all, I CAN Make Shoes offers gift certificates if you’re looking for the perfect shoe lover gift or feel free to send this link to a loved one, we’re sure they’ll get the hint.
icanmakeshoes.com
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
Prêt-à-Portea The afternoon tea service at the Berkeley London is a must for any shoe lover. Full of mouth watering Prêt-à-Portea delicacies with a fashionable twist, it combines the best of chic eats with stunning seasonal trends. Fancy a Manolo Blahnik slingback chocolate biscuit heel with baby blue icing topped with timeless pearls? Or perhaps the Jason Wu coconut ‘Carolyn’ hatbox shaped cake bag sandwiched in retro leopard print chocolate is more your style. For us, it’s hard to go past the Oscar de la Renta high-waisted peach-pink bavarois shorts embellished with strawberry compote rosettes. But don’t take our word for it. Put on your Sunday best and try the delicacies for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.
THE-BERKELEY.CO.UK
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
wine women & SHOES
If there were a movie called “Sisterhood of the Traveling Shoes,” it would be based on Elaine Honig’s life. The Founder and President of Wine, Women & Shoes, she has been helping nonprofits raise money and awareness for over fifteen years. A native Oklahoman, Honig headed to San Francisco after earning an Economics degree from Tufts University where she met her then husband Michael Honig of Honig Wine.
For 21 years, she worked in the wine industry creating Wine Women & Shoes as a fundraiser for a Napa Valley non-profit agency. “I didn’t really know anything about fundraising before I started,” says Honig. “I would attend all these charity wine events and I found the men always eager to talk about their wine collections. While the women just seemed to stand off in the distance and that’s who I wanted to talk too. With this in mind, Honig set about creating an event geared towards women. “I wanted to create a fun event that women would want to go to; that was hands on, where they could learn about wine in a way that wasn’t complicated or intimidating and most importantly, make money for causes that really matter.”
Promoting the idea of a sisterhood, Honig used shoes to explain different aspects of wine— something she knew most women could relate to. “We based our events on shoe pairings rather than food pairings,” says Honig. “These are events where you bring your friends for a great day out—fabulous women, great wine and a wonderful cause.” And it’s working. Since leaving Honig Winery five years ago to pursue Wine Women & Shoes full-time, the business has experienced exponential growth. To date, WW&S has managed over 120 events and helped net $15 million dollars for their charitable partners. Children’s Cancer Center, Make-A-Wish, NC, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Napa Emergency Women’s Services and many more have all benefited from the hard working team at Wine, Women & Shoes which is set to take on even more events for 2014. “When you reach outside of yourself and are “other orientated” rather than self orientated, life is better,” says Honig. “There was a recent happiness study where they gave $50 to a group of people. One half had to spend it on themselves, the others on someone else. The ones that spent it on others were happier. We cultivate that, we support each other— whatever role we may play—and we are happier for it.” — ANGELA GILLTRAP
winewomenandshoes.com HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
juliette
Photographed by THOMAS ALFARO Styled by JAVIER CAÑAS
QUESENOTE COLLECTIONS flower crown; S&N VINTAGE dress; ASOS shoes. HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
QUESENOTE COLLECTIONS flower crown; S&N VINTAGE dress; ASOS shoes. HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
S&N VINTAGE dress; QUESENOTE COLLECTIONS flower belt; ASOS shoes. HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
QUESENOTE COLLECTIONS flower crown; S&N VINTAGE dress; ASOS shoes. Hair: ALBERTO BAREA Makeup: ÁFRICA GARRIDO Model: JESSIE SCOTT of Bel Air Models Photographed at CASA PALACIO, SANLÚCAR DE BARRAMEDA
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
manitobah
MUKLUKS THE GIVE BACK BOOT
Giving back isn’t simply a marketing initiative for Canadian based footwear brand Manitobah Mukluks, it’s their sole reason for existing. Created in 1997, with a loyal following of celebrities and fashionistas alike, we chatted with president and founder Sean McCormick about what really drives this remarkable brand. How did the idea of a footwear line begin?
of learning how to manage their need for new collections, packaging and logistics. We’ve also had to become experts at demand planning, My sister Heather and I founded the company handling bookings, in-season sales, product in 1997. As kids we had spent a lot of time at knowledge sessions, training and the like. Not to our family’s tannery in Winnipeg, and when we started working there it became more of a trading mention the back end of the business. We’ve had to build our organization, systems, global supply post where we offered our tanned leathers and and sales chains and ensure that everything furs in exchange for mukluks and moccasins made by Aboriginal artisans in the area. We saw a we do is scalable due to our growth. We’re also spending a lot of time learning how to create lot of demand for the footwear, so we expanded and manage large-scale community initiatives with the hope of bringing the traditional designs like our Storyboot project and our relationship of our ancestors to a modern audience. It was with the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource really encouraging to build a business using the best of what our culture has to offer and to share Development. We’re busy on all fronts. that success with our community. When Kate Moss was spotted in a pair of Manitobah Mukluks sales went thought the roof, What was your biggest learning curve? what were the challenges and rewards of that There have been a lot of learning curves kind of celebrity exposure? along the way. The biggest was probably up front, though. We essentially had to learn the That was such a great moment. When Kate was photographed wearing Manitobah Mukluks, our “footwear industry” as opposed to the gift challenge was to figure out how to leverage it. industry. Serving the fashion industry globally So we spent some time incorporating Kate (and was pretty different than running a trading post a bunch of other celebrity sightings) into our in Winnipeg, which is where our business began. It’s been a challenge to meet the demands marketing materials and we found new ways to let that permeate throughout our and expectations of footwear retailers—a lot
manitobah.ca
business-to-business communications, really focusing on letting the industry know that we were on the map—that we’d arrived as a global brand. It’s funny how one picture of a famous model wearing your product can validate you immediately with people who haven’t yet encountered the brand. The rewards continue to resonate, but it’s all part of a much larger mix. As important as Kate wearing our product was, we really had to deliver our whole story to leverage the interest. That meant going beyond saying “Hey, Kate Moss likes Manitobah.” The win for us, was deciding to stick to how we’re different. A lot of companies have celebrities attached to them, or wearing them. For us, we need to communicate that we’re a unique brand. Our brand promise isn’t just to create beautiful, functional footwear that even celebrities love. What makes Manitobah unique, is our deep connection to the past. Our ancestors made this footwear and we bring it to the world as an Aboriginal-owned company focused on sharing success with the community. So, really, the reward was that we were able to tell that important part of our story to more people. What would you say is the three most important elements of the brand? Authenticity, functionality and community. How important for you is it to give back? We exist to give back. Being Aboriginal-owned, our aspirations are very different than other companies. We’re not in a business with a cause, we’re a cause with a business. Our product is our people’s history. Every stitch, every bead
holds the story of how our ancestors survived for thousands of years, how they adapted to an unforgiving environment. So today, when we bring traditional footwear into a modern context, whether that’s adding an Aboriginal artistdesigned Vibram sole, or whether it’s looking for the next way to compete with massive companies that don’t share our connection to these footwear designs, we’re doing it with a passion that focuses on a lot more than profit. It’s about supporting our people, our communities. We partner with Aboriginal artists, we work with Aboriginal entrepreneurs and we hope youth in Aboriginal communities can see Manitobah as a new vision for the kind of future they can imagine. Our true success as a company is our community involvement and the new horizons we create. We get a lot of customer feedback that fuels us on this mission, too. People love that we help make a difference in Aboriginal communities. It brings purpose to their purchase. What’s the future hold for Manitobah? In line with our ‘raison d’etre’ we’re actually in the process of relocating our Winnipeg headquarters to Métis-owned land in Winnipeg in partnership with MEDO (Métis Economic Development Organization). So now 100% of our rent and facility costs are going back to the community. Along with sharing our success, we want every element of our growth to involve Aboriginal people as much as possible, whether that’s in hiring, design, marketing or sales. We take our role as a pillar in our community very seriously and our pipe dream is to eventually be owned by all Métis people in Manitoba.
manitobah.ca
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
GIVE BACK For some, the idea of a magazine dedicated entirely to footwear is beyond indulgent. However, behind the design, trends and fashion, footwear plays an important role the world over. While we debate which wedges to wear, children are painting the soles of their feet with tar to be part of a running race. While we dream of heavenly heels, some are dreaming of owning a single pair of shoes that will allow them to go to school. Wearing shoes helps prevent the spread of parasitic diseases that plague an estimated billion people worldwide. Sadly for many living in impoverished parts of the world, shoes are a rarity. So in this, our “Give Thanks” issue we’ve highlighted three footwear charities that inspired us to give the gift of footwear. Find out how you can get involved by clicking on the links located on the bottom of each page. Every great journey begins with a single step, we hope this will inspire yours. —ANGELA GILLTRAP
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
soles4SOULS Founded in 2004, Soles4Souls is a global notfor-profit institution dedicated to fighting the devastating impact and perpetuation of poverty through the distribution of shoes and clothing. Soles4Souls distributes shoes and clothing in two ways. Most new items are collected primarily from corporations and are given directly to people in need, both in the U.S. and overseas. The organization has relationships with several of the world’s leading apparel brands and retailers, which provides Soles4Souls with new but nonmarketable overstocks, returns, discontinued models and other shoes or clothing items. Soles4Souls also receives millions of articles of used shoes and clothing that have been collected by individuals, schools, faith-based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners. After
sorting items in its national warehouse system, Soles4Souls typically sells the used shoes and clothing, as well as some new items allocated by manufacturers, to carefully selected microenterprise organizations. These both private and non-profit companies are contracted to provide shipping, financing, inventory, training and other support to ultra-small businesses in countries like Haiti where there are virtually no jobs to generate personal income. Through the collection and sale of used (and new) clothing and shoes, Soles4Souls helps create selfsustaining jobs that generate desperately needed revenues throughout those communities. The sale of footwear and apparel to support micro-jobs also provides the majority of funding to sustain Soles4Souls operations and further expand its donations of new shoes and clothing.
SOLES4SOULS.ORG
share
yourSOLES
Share Your Soles has delivered over 2 million pairs of shoes over the last 14 years. The brain child of Mona Purdy, it all began on a trip to Central America where she discovered children painting tar on the soles of their bare feet so that they could run a race in a village festival. While there, she met with an American orthopedic surgeon, who explained that if these same children had shoes to wear, there would be a lot less need for him to regularly travel to the region to perform amputations of children’s infected limbs.
On returning to the States, Purdy gathered friends and families, neighborhood schools and community groups and began collecting used children’s shoes which she donated to an orphanage in Hondura. Good deed done, she sought to return to her everyday life when the orphanage asked, “When are you coming back?” It was a question that changed Purdy’s life and became the catalyst in developing the Share Your Soles movement. Since then, millions of pairs of shoes have been delivered to impoverished people throughout the world from Central America to the Caribbean. No boundaries. No borders.
SHAREYOURSOLES.ORG
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
FIVE MINUTES WITH TWO TEN’S Program Director Kate Alley How can people get involved with Two Ten? There are many ways for those in the footwear community to become involved with Two Ten. Last year, Two Ten ran the first Footwear Cares National Footwear Community Service Week. Sixty-eight companies and 3,000 volunteers participated in this week by volunteering in their local community at food banks, clean ups and various other non-profit partners. Building on this success, Two Ten will be turning a week of service into a month of service in April. We’re excited to team up once again with our wonderful footwear companies to show that Footwear Cares.
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
What is coming up for Two Ten in 2014? Two Ten will be celebrating its 75th anniversary next year. We’ll be celebrating the past 75 years of shoe people helping shoe people as well as the future of the industry. Two Ten offers many opportunities to participate in events throughout the year with our community groups: Young Professionals for Two Ten (YP), Women in Footwear Industry (WIFI) and our Human Resources Leadership
group. WIFI also offers a mentoring program for women to learn from others in the industry. It truly is an exciting time for Two Ten and we’re so grateful to work with such an amazing industry. What criteria do you look for when choosing a scholarship recipient? Two Ten offers two types of scholarships. Higher education scholarships and footwear design scholarships. For our higher education scholarships the most heavily weighted factor in choosing a recipient is that they have financial need. We also look at academic performance and personal promise but financial need is the deciding factor. These scholars also need to have two prior years experience in the footwear industry or their parents need to have that amount of time in the industry in order to be eligible. Our footwear design scholarships don’t have a work eligibility requirement. It is available to anyone who is studying design with a focus on footwear. We select design scholars based on design talent by reviewing 3 samples that are submitted with an application.
two
ten FOOTWEAR foundation
In 1939, when the average wage for a shoe salesman was about $60 a month and Boston was the center of America’s shoe manufacturing industry, many of those working in the footwear industry had fallen on hard times due to the loss of jobs during the Depression. On Wednesdays, which were leather days, many working salesmen got together and literally passed a hat in order to contribute to a pot of money they would use to support those out of work salesmen in need. Although they competed with each other professionally, personally they were united in helping their community. Realizing that the passing of the hat was not a sustainable way to provide
financial assistance, the group, including A.A. Bloom, Abe Borkowitz, Morris Rosenston and Al Schachat, decided to create an organization that would anonymously provide aid to shoe people in need. After decades of expansion, that group of philanthropic men has developed into today’s Two Ten Footwear Foundation, carrying on the mission of serving families who work in the shoe industry. The Two Ten Footwear Foundation offers financial assistance to families that have been affected by natural disasters, financial aid, crisis counseling and awards four different scholarships to the children of footwear professionals or to those hoping to study footwear design.
TWOTEN.ORG
well heeled
HOT SEAT
This month we put philanthropist and champion surfer, Tiarah Blanco in our Well Heeled Hot Seat. This inspiring teen is definitely one to watch. Sequins or Satin? Sequins. They are eye catching, fabulous and girlie. I only like satin for sheets. Flats or Five Inches? It really depends on what I’m doing. I love dressing up so I’d pick the five inch heels for sure but flats are what I’m usually wearing since I’m at the beach a lot. Underdressed or Overdressed? Overdressed. I always feel like it gives you more confidence. Enormous Bag or Tiny Tote? I usually have an enormous bag to keep all my surfing stuff in but I like tiny totes for going out. What’s your fashion mantra to the masses? It’s not about how expensive your clothes are, it’s how you rock what you’re wearing. It’s all about confidence! If you could be one shoe, what shoe would you be? I’d be a Reef shoe for sure. They’re super comfortable, stylish and have a beachy vibe.
tiarahblanco.com
S
HOP Our editors have traversed the globe to bring you the best in designer footwear so sit back, relax and let your fingers do the walking.
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI
CLICK THE PIC TO BUY
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
CLICK THE PIC TO BUY
10 crosby derek lam
CLICK THE PIC TO BUY
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
CLICK THE PIC TO BUY
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION
CLICK THE PIC TO BUY
HEAVEN HAS HEELS nov 2013
KATE SPADE NEW YORK
CLICK THE PIC TO BUY
www.mementoduo.com