tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65166502621223632592024-03-05T19:26:17.745-08:00SHOES-INFOall about shoes and sneakersandrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06611668291564438465noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6516650262122363259.post-37162534243189569112009-12-24T06:03:00.000-08:002009-12-24T06:10:32.987-08:00New Nike McFly introducing<div align="center">New Nike McFly - sneaker with power lacing!</div><div align="center"><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Wdp0AOK8Sa0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Wdp0AOK8Sa0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></div>andrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06611668291564438465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6516650262122363259.post-50100728421368017522009-10-14T14:05:00.000-07:002009-10-14T14:12:10.247-07:00Christian Louboutin - PSYCHO LOGIC<div style="text-align: justify;">Christian Louboutin Films presents <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">PSYCHO</span><span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">LOGIC</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cAfpS0kaf9I&hl=ru&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cAfpS0kaf9I&hl=ru&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></div>andrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06611668291564438465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6516650262122363259.post-43575660521091138962009-03-29T16:25:00.000-07:002009-03-29T16:34:22.802-07:00Gucci sneakers<div style="text-align: center;"><div id="result_box" dir="ltr">Sneakers from the spring-summer collections <em>GUCCI</em></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Y87yG-3GZWE/SdADuJtOZ9I/AAAAAAAABfQ/V6If2vcv2oA/s1600-h/gucci-sneakers.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Y87yG-3GZWE/SdADuJtOZ9I/AAAAAAAABfQ/V6If2vcv2oA/s400/gucci-sneakers.jpg" alt="sneakers" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318755251339028434" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxasP_oBsmvOO4vz7MiHSNDamGgrbQfj1ABvY7IkJpKYejSCRsKETL5-IBAk5SXxHgtxDmeIPTn1hrZ310-m7Z7FdRsVaMcuUSzLbjoiowtmGWW7K35lq3keCujI97IWnWngsxhr6nx_eA/s1600-h/gucci-sneakers-02.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxasP_oBsmvOO4vz7MiHSNDamGgrbQfj1ABvY7IkJpKYejSCRsKETL5-IBAk5SXxHgtxDmeIPTn1hrZ310-m7Z7FdRsVaMcuUSzLbjoiowtmGWW7K35lq3keCujI97IWnWngsxhr6nx_eA/s400/gucci-sneakers-02.jpg" alt="sneakers" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318755248352301986" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvd4ocoGrR-00kd-2BPgWzLzrGoI9j5vp0tuuf7qn3S9ubuvQGbAEasfU563EXg9f7aeleHzhGymhGaLkBnMKCvSlHWAgGXdcm6RpnOoS9xew-wFZBD0248v_JKmUh-Dsk0rLqqyKcnRLU/s1600-h/gucci-sneakers-01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvd4ocoGrR-00kd-2BPgWzLzrGoI9j5vp0tuuf7qn3S9ubuvQGbAEasfU563EXg9f7aeleHzhGymhGaLkBnMKCvSlHWAgGXdcm6RpnOoS9xew-wFZBD0248v_JKmUh-Dsk0rLqqyKcnRLU/s400/gucci-sneakers-01.jpg" alt="sneakers" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318755235919165154" border="0" /></a><br /></div>andrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06611668291564438465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6516650262122363259.post-72665492952316710492009-02-26T03:39:00.001-08:002009-02-26T03:39:28.521-08:00Converse All Star Best Commercial<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div class='youtube-video'><object height='344' width='425'><param value='http://www.youtube.com/v/ZPeS-hndAIE&hl=ru&fs=1' name='movie'> </param><param value='true' name='allowFullScreen'> </param><param value='always' name='allowscriptaccess'> </param><embed height='344' width='425' allowfullscreen='true' allowscriptaccess='always' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://www.youtube.com/v/ZPeS-hndAIE&hl=ru&fs=1'> </embed> </object></div><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=9efc832b-a8c3-4b54-89dc-749f26dcd6a2' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>andrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06611668291564438465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6516650262122363259.post-31811643709692221252009-02-03T22:48:00.000-08:002009-02-03T22:55:33.986-08:00CONVERSE X UNDFTD (POORMAN'S WEAPON)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidp-yX-nlVYYQnxECvygQl6jxVr7cqYZ1rDyLexGDaP2hhrNukaCYs8Af80X10iREnmm1_yw_a2g7bCoyycVumB7rIRYilr9du2xN2E9RtWB-EwJFRa8RDi8LQd6adk9Uiy4awiwYooaAM/s1600-h/Converse-X_01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidp-yX-nlVYYQnxECvygQl6jxVr7cqYZ1rDyLexGDaP2hhrNukaCYs8Af80X10iREnmm1_yw_a2g7bCoyycVumB7rIRYilr9du2xN2E9RtWB-EwJFRa8RDi8LQd6adk9Uiy4awiwYooaAM/s400/Converse-X_01.jpg" alt="converse shoes sneakers" title="converse x undftd" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298830994310885410" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Inspired by the classic military bomber jacket, this Poorman’s Weapon was designed by LA’s Undefeated crew. What seems like a simply nice black nylon shoe is loaded with top gun details including a removable Velcro <a title="chuck taylor all stars" href="http://paleontolog.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-11-22T14%3A55%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=2">Converse</a> chevron, signature ‘War is Big Business’ embroidered patch and a manila inventory card. This is a great example of creating a themed story round a shoe that is neither corny nor unwearable and both parties should be well pleased with such a maverick result!<br /></div>andrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06611668291564438465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6516650262122363259.post-20502841627760685622009-01-28T23:33:00.001-08:002009-01-29T00:58:40.109-08:00Adidas Skate Gazelle<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3Fem1EF_IKktJQYMG5miN5cLlTjFxWRws9dUtVnf6lrI7ywG3XFweEzKjzYiXlzQtZT2C33lYBJCtxYt_VL5LNgdKfgC4pBnVlMfstu5o9W_s_vgYCQtZyoV_NxKusDBq-Z5EmK3W6Tf/s1600-h/Adidas-Skate-gazelle-Maroon-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3Fem1EF_IKktJQYMG5miN5cLlTjFxWRws9dUtVnf6lrI7ywG3XFweEzKjzYiXlzQtZT2C33lYBJCtxYt_VL5LNgdKfgC4pBnVlMfstu5o9W_s_vgYCQtZyoV_NxKusDBq-Z5EmK3W6Tf/s400/Adidas-Skate-gazelle-Maroon-1.jpg" alt="adidas, sneakers" title="adidas skate gazelle" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296615628766938546" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">A b-boy staple and terrace fave, the adidas Gazelle gets a nice makeover with this simple yet sturdy skate version. The brushed suede maroon and ice white stripes are one of the more iconic colourways from back in the day, so it’s good to see adi-Skate honour their heritage. The blue disc on the sole allows skaters a smoother landing with a cushioning system that will keep clumsy oafs from racking up physio bills!</div>andrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06611668291564438465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6516650262122363259.post-63086687320863587762008-12-09T23:22:00.000-08:002009-01-29T00:59:51.361-08:00Vans History<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8WMs-wR3v-CHGGdLCTKht4zBRNKkklg9wcjoF0P7qHV5VJ3Y1FhNmaBfHSMH8B6QC4LUUOMIECS0eMowZYEi8NXz7MO37-MhqFR1z99zH2Nl9GsCdZnoH99w42P6TK71_pWxMw8QzVLT/s1600-h/logoVans.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8WMs-wR3v-CHGGdLCTKht4zBRNKkklg9wcjoF0P7qHV5VJ3Y1FhNmaBfHSMH8B6QC4LUUOMIECS0eMowZYEi8NXz7MO37-MhqFR1z99zH2Nl9GsCdZnoH99w42P6TK71_pWxMw8QzVLT/s400/logoVans.jpg" alt="vans logo" title="vans history" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278059428021577282" border="0" /></a>Vans was started by Paul Van Doren in 1966, and he opened his first store in Anaheim, California. His business partners were Jim Van Doren, Gordy Lee, and Serge D’Elia. The day they opened the store they only had displays for show, and the customers had to pick what shoe they wanted. After that, they asked them to come back the next day to pick up their shoes. Thank God we don’t have stores like that today. Vans are known for their popular "Slip On" shoe with the waffle sole, and in 1976, skaters starting skating in Vans. The skaters demanded that the Vans come in multi colorways.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhso79iW7kS4LUpvd9YTsizX6181aaGIh5k964-_QodktNjFPFdB2THro4rvlsVqSG-bq4_szpyq-ymN7kMyw3xijxsbbgm39dZw4_vt0N523InDH-4bupXDWjdWNkqYBn4_Q13D7bLRexq/s1600-h/vans-prison-issue-lx.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhso79iW7kS4LUpvd9YTsizX6181aaGIh5k964-_QodktNjFPFdB2THro4rvlsVqSG-bq4_szpyq-ymN7kMyw3xijxsbbgm39dZw4_vt0N523InDH-4bupXDWjdWNkqYBn4_Q13D7bLRexq/s400/vans-prison-issue-lx.jpg" alt="vans, sneakers" title="vans history" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278059931033518498" border="0" /></a>They got what they asked for, and Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta, two pro skaters were the designers. It wasn’t until the slip on Vans were seen in the 1982 movie "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" that people desired to own a pair across the globe. Today, Vans offer 60+ styles including; Slip On, Skateboarding, Old School, Classics, shoes and more. Vans are available in stores all over the world and they made a simple shoe do BIG THINGS.<br /><br />People have been sleeping on Vans for years and I know it’s a few people that truly appreciate them. They are comfortable, extremely affordable, NO HYPE, with tons of colors/designs and styles, so tell me what person in their right mind doesn’t like that? Well, I take one part back, because if you follow the "HYPE" then Vans are definitely not your cup of tea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CzH1fH-3BxfcDWdTyav_DRl_ow5eHYGk589fakkhcfSjuKhLSPFogCehkD_YhFclsQdB1G4dkilimcXoR-m1_pX1IRiUvLKRaAF-Oh3gqIz9ykjU7sjGWnc_k2ffYfz7c6njaHrFeP0l/s1600-h/vans_offthewall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 76px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CzH1fH-3BxfcDWdTyav_DRl_ow5eHYGk589fakkhcfSjuKhLSPFogCehkD_YhFclsQdB1G4dkilimcXoR-m1_pX1IRiUvLKRaAF-Oh3gqIz9ykjU7sjGWnc_k2ffYfz7c6njaHrFeP0l/s400/vans_offthewall.jpg" alt="vans logo" title="vans history" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278059425188051010" border="0" /></a>Vans has collaborated with Marc Jacobs, Wtaps, Supreme, Paul Frank, Stussy, Christian Hosoi, Jason Jesse, Mr. Cartoon, Undefeated, and so much more.</div>andrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06611668291564438465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6516650262122363259.post-77749810645488207512008-12-04T15:25:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:33:15.526-08:00<h1>The history of Reebok in the sneaker industry</h1><div style="text-align: justify;">The Reebok shoe company is like a streaky jump shooter; when they are hot they are hot, but when they are not nobody is interested. This has been a way of life for the Reebok brand since its inception. They wow the sneaker industry one year, just to turn around and lay an egg the next.<br /><br />The Reebok brand got its beginnings back in 1958 when it branched out as a sister company to JW Foster and Sons. Beginning in 1895, JW Foster and Sons started to manufacture shoes and sell them all over the United Kingdom. Even though they never garnered much attention, they were successful enough to be worn by the athletes in the 1924 Summer Olympics.<br /><br />Then in 1958, Foster’s grandsons decided to branch out to form a new company which they would call Reebok. They picked the name Reebok, which means African Gazelle, because they wanted to depict speed, style, and grace. Even though the company was selling the shoes at a decent rate in the United Kingdom, they were still having a hard time getting the shoes noticed on a world wide scale.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycBygqZRIlvRKPUIITf5tgSMmQr9My6xxxT5ocG5YGH92u2ONpcdegq7i8TTDuQE3PuspRTmq0vJRv6rtt3tMrMfMnBck0fn7jiYBgoLCMnOWRTPAj9xLZWaO21VE2Ed4CzDlgLMjySgZ/s1600-h/reebok.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycBygqZRIlvRKPUIITf5tgSMmQr9My6xxxT5ocG5YGH92u2ONpcdegq7i8TTDuQE3PuspRTmq0vJRv6rtt3tMrMfMnBck0fn7jiYBgoLCMnOWRTPAj9xLZWaO21VE2Ed4CzDlgLMjySgZ/s400/reebok.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276080958100385698" border="0" /></a>But in 1979 this would all change. At the Chicago International sneaker trade show, Paul Fireman took notice of the Reebok brand. At the time, Fireman was working for an outdoor sporting goods distributor, and immediately saw great potential in the Reebok brand. He was drawn in by the customization of each shoe, as well as the high quality. Fireman felt that those two qualities alone would make this brand a hit with the North American population. Without wasting anytime, Fireman negotiated a deal to license and distributes the Reebok brand in the United States; it was at this time that Reebok USA was born.<br />That same year, Fireman introduced three running shoes to the market. He had so much confidence in the product that he priced the shoe at $60 which made it the highest priced offering on the market. By 1981, Reebok USA had exceeded $1.5 million in sales; and this was all done by selling simple track shoes.<br /><br />In 1982, the company made a move that took the sneaker industry by surprise, and sent sales through the roof. Reebok introduced the first athletic shoe for women. This move helped Reebok grab the majority of the market share in the early 1980’s<br /><br />Then in 1989, Reebok introduced the Pump to the basketball world. These shoes were designed specifically with basketball in mind. The shoe used an air bladder which could be inflated by a small pump that was located on the tongue of the shoe. The pump was in the shape of a basketball, and when pushed it would inflate the bladder so that the shoe would conform tightly around the ankle. This shoe was designed to take on the “Nike Air”, and debuted with a sticker price of $170; nearly double the price of other basketball shoes. But despite the huge price difference Reebok had a hit. Over a four year period they sold over 20 million pairs worldwide.<br /><br /><br />These enormous sales numbers were aided by Boston Celtic rookie Dee Brown in the 1991 All-Star weekend Slam Dunk contest. Brown came out for the competition sporting the black, white, and orange Pumps. In a moment that will forever be remembered by basketball fans, before Brown took off for his final dunk he leaned over and pumped up his Reeboks. After throwing down the contest clinching dunk (covering his eyes with his arm) he bent forward and deflated his pumps. The crowd went wild, and the Reebok Pumps gained instant notoriety as kids everywhere felt like this sneaker could take their game to the game level.<br /><br />But just as quickly as it took off, the Pumps began to fade out of the public eye. This left Reebok without a number one seller, and scrambling for another big break through.<br /><br />As sales continued to decline throughout the 90’s, Reebok was looking for a way to regain a share of the market that was being dominated by Nike. After numerous efforts failed to produce results, Reebok decided to look for endorsements as a way to increase brand awareness.<br /><br />In 1996, they pegged NBA newcomer Allen Iverson as a target. From 1996 to 2000, Iverson and Reebok had a lot of success promoting the brand both on and off the court. With Iverson quickly becoming an NBA superstar, his shoe which was known as “The Answer” was selling at a fast pace and helping to bring Reebok back to the forefront of the industry. In 2001, Reebok made a huge commitment to Iverson by signing him to a life long contract which guarantees that he sports the brand until his days in the NBA are over.<br /><br />Then in 2005, during NBA All-Star weekend Reebok introduced the new ATR (Above the Rim) Pump. This shoe is based off of the same technology as the original Pump, but this time the pump is located on the outer ankle of the shoe. It again allows for the athlete to get a perfect fit. During the 2005 All-Star game, NBA superstars Allen Iverson and Yao Ming showcased the ATR Pump to the world. This gave the industry their first look at the new Pump in action. In addition to Iverson and Ming, superstars Steve Francis, Baron Davis, and Jerome Williams are also wearing the new Pumps.<br /><br />Shortly after the new ATR Pump debuted, Reebok was shook up once again. They were bought out by Germany’s Adidas-Salomon for $3.78 billion. The reason for this merger is quite clear to everyone in the sneaker industry. Reebok and Adidas were constantly dueling it out for second place behind sneaker giant Nike. They feel that by joining forces, they may be able to overthrow Nike and become the number one sneaker manufacturer in the world. But they still have a long way to go before this comes to fruition. In 2004, Nike had approximately 36% market share in the United States shoe industry; where as Adidas and Reebok combined for about 21%.<br /><br />With Reebok joining hands with Adidas, they are looking to regain the popularity that they experienced in the early 90’s. By continuing to build and market products around NBA superstars, Reebok kicks will soon again be popular among ballers all over the world.<br /><br /><br /></div>andrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06611668291564438465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6516650262122363259.post-5820929065875427822008-11-27T09:22:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:34:22.426-08:00<h1>ADIDAS HISTORY</h1><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCTvaiqloy34x64BBpEsvY9NIUsE_lzAyfOoHm7oAJGvu2cLgpimEQ8kd-dBb57dCW5TyZP2sWRdHKshob69Sx1wqUlTmN-xPLd8BRST9Gg9bt5ub7WiqRAHDGL0wpUl7Y8EI72tsKhbM/s1600-h/logo_adidas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCTvaiqloy34x64BBpEsvY9NIUsE_lzAyfOoHm7oAJGvu2cLgpimEQ8kd-dBb57dCW5TyZP2sWRdHKshob69Sx1wqUlTmN-xPLd8BRST9Gg9bt5ub7WiqRAHDGL0wpUl7Y8EI72tsKhbM/s400/logo_adidas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273391969605621906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Adolf Dassler</span> was inspired by a single idea when he made his first shoes in 1920, at the age of just 20. His vision was to provide every athlete with the best footwear for his respective discipline. It was this principle that guided him right up until his death in 1978. 700 patents and other industrial property rights worldwide are proof of his permanent quest for perfection.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />His first shoe, made from the few materials available in the difficult post-war period, was produced from canvas. A passionate athlete himself, from the very beginning <span style="font-weight: bold;">Adi Dassler</span> was in close contact with sports participants and was always present in person at important sports events.<br /><br />Adi Dassler focused his work on the classic disciplines of track and field. Athletes wore special shoes from his workshop for the first time at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. In the mid 1920s he was already experimenting with spikes.<br /><br />In the mid 1930s <span style="font-weight: bold;">Adi Dassler</span> was already making 30 different shoes for eleven sports, and he had a workforce of almost 100 employees. In less than two decades adidas advanced to become the world’s leading sports shoe manufacturer.<br /><br />After the turmoil of the Second World War, Adi Dassler made a fresh start. In 1947, with 47 workers, he began putting into practice the knowledge gained from the pre-war period and also new ideas. Adi Dassler made the first post-war sports shoes using canvas and rubber from American fuel tanks. In 1948 he introduced adidas as the company name, a combination of his own first and last name. One year later he registered the - to this day - unmistakable <span style="font-weight: bold;">Three Stripes</span>.<br /><br />The breakthrough came for Adi Dassler when Germany won the Soccer World Cup in 1954. In the legendary Final against Hungary, the German team wore boots with screw-in studs – by adidas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguB14hLTHYTXFv9Ehc2PAdy_aXrqocuH2dS7CCUys6OhR42IRO6UrcK-DOBjvzYwCvB-BUii-s1G9jOqW8gzwuh-JeUJ7sMWiJMhY8MCXNc1cSwauOsOUNnY7ZgQIuzBhZWMwlmL966WC3/s1600-h/adi-dassler.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguB14hLTHYTXFv9Ehc2PAdy_aXrqocuH2dS7CCUys6OhR42IRO6UrcK-DOBjvzYwCvB-BUii-s1G9jOqW8gzwuh-JeUJ7sMWiJMhY8MCXNc1cSwauOsOUNnY7ZgQIuzBhZWMwlmL966WC3/s400/adi-dassler.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273393968352766738" border="0" /></a>Parallel to the rapid developments in sport, Adi Dassler strove to specialize and optimize his products. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Adi Dassler </span>was the first entrepreneur to use sports promotion in order to make the public aware of his innovations. He started using well-known athletes as advertising for his products. Many famous athletes such as Jesse Owens, Muhammad Ali, Max Schmeling, Sepp Herberger and Franz Beckenbauer counted themselves among the friends of the Dassler Family.<br /><br />Aggressive publicity became one of the cornerstones of his corporate policy. From now on, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Adi Dassler</span> came up with a product innovation for every major event, documenting the superiority of <span style="font-weight: bold;">adidas footwear</span>. In constant contact with active athletes in a wide variety of disciplines, he developed the <span style="font-weight: bold;">optimal</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">shoe</span> for almost every sport. Together with his son Horst, Adi Dassler created an international company that was, and still is, present at all the world’s sporting events.<br /><br />From the mid 1960s, adidas also started producing apparel for competition and training. Ball production began in 1963, and ever since 1970 the Official Matchball at all major soccer events has been an adidas product.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Adi Dassler died in 1978</span>, at the age of 78. Carrying on his heritage and his ideas, his name and his developments will continue to help athletes in their efforts to push the limits of performance, on into the new millennium.<br /><br />Following the death of the company founder, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Adi Dassler</span>’s widow Käthe and his son Horst took charge of running the company. Horst Dassler perfected the opportunities offered by sports promotion. Under his guidance, adidas became a global leader in the sector of innovations in sports marketing. He was also responsible for establishing the brand in France. Horst Dassler died unexpectedly in 1987, at the early age of 51.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpTF3xIbDC47sr4YGa__aEHCpPjcf_RTXV0A8ZdgqwSw59-jVGEWlvJBL_V4sccI_Flji5xCYfImoSVRcsqsUZCosTstbahfkF_zNm0wuum6mFwgzUPV1BB6CmsT72dWLtqeyJo8S_y_S/s1600-h/run-dmc--adidas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpTF3xIbDC47sr4YGa__aEHCpPjcf_RTXV0A8ZdgqwSw59-jVGEWlvJBL_V4sccI_Flji5xCYfImoSVRcsqsUZCosTstbahfkF_zNm0wuum6mFwgzUPV1BB6CmsT72dWLtqeyJo8S_y_S/s400/run-dmc--adidas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273393163114509954" border="0" /></a>In 1989, adidas was transformed into a corporation (“Aktiengesellschaft”). At the beginning of the 1990s, after a difficult transition period, adidas returned to its roots and its original objective. Producing top products in top quality again became the company’s guiding principle. In 1991, adidas launched adidas EQUIPMENT, a line of performance-oriented, functional footwear and apparel.<br /><br />With streetball in 1992, adidas started specifically addressing a younger target group. In 1993, Robert Louis-Dreyfus took over management of the company. The Frenchman initiated the comeback of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Three Stripes</span>. In 1995, the adidas share was one of the most interesting new introductions on the stock market. In 1997, adidas AG and the Salomon group combined to form adidas-Salomon AG. Since 2001, Herbert Hainer has been leading the Group.<br /><br />In October 2005, the Salomon business segment, including the related subsidiaries and brands Salomon, Mavic, Bonfire, Arc’Teryx and Cliché, was sold to the Finnish Amer Sports Corporation.<br /><br />On January 31, 2006, Reebok International Ltd. was acquired providing the new adidas Group with a footprint of around €9.5 billion ($11.8 billion) in the global athletic footwear, apparel and hardware markets.</div>andrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06611668291564438465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6516650262122363259.post-76037356569713149852008-11-24T02:50:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:34:50.274-08:00<div style="text-align: justify;"><h1>Clarks shoes<br /></h1><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIYy5R3Z7wLx2XjlnGbpkWPiWoQ0tSC6SAyRq1dF8Q8UtkMbzxY5AmUKmuZq7O5zN0Fn53sAWLFBZSuimruGyNlCAW17x1xmP1ctZnee7P-7LsSDL6APiLfuWbyyHc98ws52Uwzd0va8m/s1600-h/clarks-logo.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 81px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIYy5R3Z7wLx2XjlnGbpkWPiWoQ0tSC6SAyRq1dF8Q8UtkMbzxY5AmUKmuZq7O5zN0Fn53sAWLFBZSuimruGyNlCAW17x1xmP1ctZnee7P-7LsSDL6APiLfuWbyyHc98ws52Uwzd0va8m/s400/clarks-logo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272176230905551378" border="0" /></a>It began with a flash of inspiration. It was 1825 in the Somerset village of Street and James Clark was busy working at the tannery owned by his brother, Cyrus. Among the sheepskin rugs, the off-cuts and cast-offs were piling up when James had a brainwave: “Slippers!”. And the rest, as they say, is history. A few stitches and a few years later, the sheepskin slipper was born.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />It was the very first Clarks shoe and the opening chapter in a remarkable story that continues to unfold to this day. In the decades that have passed since the young Mr. Clark’s eureka moment our shoes have seen social, political and economic revolution. They’ve seen fashions in footwear come and go, and come again – everything from court shoes and winklepickers to wedge heels, sandals and sneakers. They’ve tapped to the beat of crooners, rockers, Britpoppers and hip hoppers. They’ve walked, marched, strode and sashayed through an ever-changing world.<br /><br />Our feet, meanwhile, have stayed firmly rooted in Street. It’s where Clarks started. It’s where our heart lies. And still, as always, we put that heart into every pair of our shoes to create stylish footwear that protects and cares for our customers’ feet.<br />Britain was perhaps at its greatest in the 1800s. Queen Victoria was on the throne from 1837 to just beyond the end of the century and reigned over a time of phenomenal economic, colonial and industrial growth. And while Charles Dickens gripped the nation with his storytelling skills, engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel got it moving via his remarkable tunnels, bridges, railway lines and steam ships.<br /><br />For Cyrus and James Clark business was booming. Their sheepskin slipper, named the ‘Brown Petersburg’, was a huge success. Within years of its unveiling, its unique design graced feet the length and breadth of the country and by 1842 sales were averaging 1000 pairs a month.<br /><br />The ‘Brown Petersburg’ was made by hand in Street. There were no factories, so the brothers – now trading as C&J Clark Limited – relied on outworkers to meet the growing demand. The workers collected the leather from the tannery, along with a pattern, took the whole lot home and turned it into slippers. Production was often a family affair – everyone did their bit of cutting, sticking and sewing. Then, every Friday, all the finished footwear would be taken to Cyrus and James and swapped for wages.<br /><br />The system worked well for many years. The good people of Street were happy in their work and the company prospered. In fact business was so brisk that in 1851 the Clark brothers won two awards at the Great Exhibition, an event organised by Prince Albert to showcase the achievements of British industry.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Riding the storm</span><br /><br />Then, in 1863, disaster. A recession hit business badly and, almost overnight, the Clarks needed help. Lifelong Quakers themselves, they turned to contacts in the Quaker community for financial support and managed to secure a loan. But it came with conditions: James and Cyrus were to step down and William – James’ youngest son – was to take the reins.<br /><br />It was another turning point in the company’s fortunes. Something of a visionary, William modernised the manufacturing process by bringing in the factory system and investing in the Singer sewing machine – a groundbreaking piece of technology at the time. Under his watchful eye, C&J Clark was revitalised, the loan was paid back in full and the company continued to move forward with developments like the Hygienic range. Launched in 1883, it was the first ever shoe designed to fit the shape of the foot; an innovation that is still the bedrock of Clarks’ reputation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCLtK-xLBBHai-ff8Tr3p0mR3bbs8cJ6-Hm5awEbYnK58uaZTI0tuHYMEhHlf6S6qVSOaetMG2X_-QgZC5tA6IOQYT3_tRmmYLqrxmd7_588hMA80axDeJ46q4Fgdl6RDwKxHuOqO1su2/s1600-h/clarks2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCLtK-xLBBHai-ff8Tr3p0mR3bbs8cJ6-Hm5awEbYnK58uaZTI0tuHYMEhHlf6S6qVSOaetMG2X_-QgZC5tA6IOQYT3_tRmmYLqrxmd7_588hMA80axDeJ46q4Fgdl6RDwKxHuOqO1su2/s400/clarks2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272176377235435906" border="0" /></a>Whilst developing the commercial side of the business, William remained true to the ideals of his Quaker roots. He invested in the community, looked after his workers and built them homes – many of which can still be seen in Street today.<br />What the latter days of the 19th Century had started, the new millennium carried on with a passion. Science and technology were the watchwords. Inventions came thick and fast and included everything from the telephone and the zip to assembly line automobiles. Meanwhile, mass production and inexpensive alternatives to fabrics like silk meant a nation increasingly interested in fashion could finally afford to indulge itself.<br /><br />With John, Roger and Alice Clark now running the company, Clarks continued to expand. Emerging from the buttoned-up days of the Victorian era, women in particular were a major new consumer. The female ankle was suddenly on display and shoes that showed them at their best were a must-have for every elegant lady of the time. C&J Clark was happy to oblige.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Spreading the word</span><br /><br />With more and more product to promote, Clarks began advertising – our first press ad appeared in 1936. We opened our own chain of shops called Peter Lord, a name which remained on the high street until the 1990s. We also introduced a choice of width fittings to our children’s range, not forgetting the first ever Clarks foot gauge – two innovations which became a benchmark in the care of growing feet.<br /><br />Before the 1900s were even half over, the world was plunged into two terrible wars. British industry stepped up to play its part in the war effort and during the Second World War the main Clarks factory was used to make torpedoes. On the home-front, meanwhile, the global conflict led to all sorts of shortages; raw materials became scarce, testing the ingenuity of manufacturers determined to meet the demand for everyday essentials. Clarks, for example, designed a unique, hinged wooden sole, so we could carry on supplying the nation with shoes even when leather was hard to come by.<br />As the world emerged from the dark days of war, the next four decades saw change beyond the wildest dreams of many. What began with a baby boom, rock ‘n’ roll, teenagers, television and sputniks boldly going into outer space would end with mobile phones, the music video, Live Aid and an obsession with working out at the gym.<br /><br />For C&J Clark the end of the 1940s ushered in a period of rapid growth. The available workforce in Street was too small to meet demand so, under the guidance of chairman Bancroft Clark, the company opened 15 new factories in neighbouring towns and cities. New shops and stores were also opened, including, in 1957, Clarks’ first flagship store on London’s Regent Street.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63IC2F2rGkGi3z5ygncson0y5JkM2HzEUP-GcXfB3QnK4Ow1D0rMm6YxTrF0KYmTnRJSF_49VewCVX6ntSXj1lSYxkDg-ww5OHYmV9cZNzso3Hb-tzyqmInwHYutYSBCnlzT-K5lb5tKA/s1600-h/cl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63IC2F2rGkGi3z5ygncson0y5JkM2HzEUP-GcXfB3QnK4Ow1D0rMm6YxTrF0KYmTnRJSF_49VewCVX6ntSXj1lSYxkDg-ww5OHYmV9cZNzso3Hb-tzyqmInwHYutYSBCnlzT-K5lb5tKA/s400/cl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272176610393298594" border="0" /></a>In the decades to come, expansion at home and abroad, increased production and the introduction of new materials like polyurethane and trademark technologies like Active Air all helped Clarks become the world’s best-known name in footwear. There were innovative styles too. The Desert Boot for example, brainchild of Nathan Clark, made its debut in 1950, captured the imagination of millions and remaining a global icon to this day.<br />As the 90s became the noughties, the computer revolution that had started two decades earlier with the invention of the microprocessor continued to transform work and play. And it still does, with the worldwide web, uploading, downloading and emailing all very much a part of almost everyone’s daily routine.<br /><br />The dawn of the 1990s found Clarks facing some tough decisions. Major changes in world trade meant the company could no longer stay competitive while manufacturing in the UK. Reluctantly, production was moved to the continent. We began in a small way in Portugal, but it wasn’t enough. In the end, we had little choice but to close our UK factory doors and move the entire production process overseas.<br /><br />It was a change of location but our high standards remained, and remain to this day, the same. Overseas modern factories, many of them purpose-built for Clarks, are audited either by independent auditors or our own on-site teams in order to monitor conditions and promote the best working practices.<br /><br />The decision to move overseas wasn’t taken lightly. However, coupled with our continuing commitment to quality, new marketing and ad campaigns – including ‘Act your shoe size, not your age’ and the current ‘Enjoy Every Step’ – plus a rebranding in the high street, it has helped us return to the success of the good old days.<br />Into the future<br /><br />We’re pleased to say that things are still going well. New technology, state-of the-art facilities and our love of shoes means we’re not only the number one shoe brand in the UK. With continuing growth in North America, Western and Eastern Europe, India and China, we’re also the world’s largest casual and smart shoe company and the fourth largest footwear company on the planet.<br /><br />We’ve come a long way since Cyrus and James Clark and the ‘Brown Petersburg’. But their vision and passion live on in our shoes. You could say we’re following in their footsteps.<br /></div>andrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06611668291564438465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6516650262122363259.post-85449749159434702602008-11-22T14:55:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:40:16.477-08:00<div align="justify"><h1>Dr Martens</h1><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7foMmPm_8xNzPbWgMPVGDZBG2zaCnSRLzH5PQg0Xvk9Ok3E6KmKvKGZolRiNDYR_PffeIUpM4CWHbz4xGJWpaGR3gZkZu84hyphenhyphenDHjPCjzPZtTvRkjB_dL9GSgxRgHE216Bmlupv9ycVkd/s1600-h/drmartens_logo.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7foMmPm_8xNzPbWgMPVGDZBG2zaCnSRLzH5PQg0Xvk9Ok3E6KmKvKGZolRiNDYR_PffeIUpM4CWHbz4xGJWpaGR3gZkZu84hyphenhyphenDHjPCjzPZtTvRkjB_dL9GSgxRgHE216Bmlupv9ycVkd/s400/drmartens_logo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271624913324490114" border="0" /></a>1945: medical doctor Klaus Maertens injures his foot skiing in the Bavarian Alps. This incident went on to start an avalanche - a fashion avalanche that is.<br /><br />Dr Martens, Docs, DMs - whatever you call them, have been closely linked to more musical movements and revolutions than any other item of fashion.<br /><br />Mods worshipped their cherry reds, Goths just wanted black ones, Grebos drew all over theirs (guilty) and the pope just wanted something in the white.<br /><br />Punks, psychobillys, skins, indie kids, grungers - the list is endless, they even made it on to the feet of Will Smith in the Fresh Prince of Bel Air for a couple of episodes. The success of DR Martens is a fashion phenomenon, but refreshingly, not one that was planned.<br /><br /><strong>Bunch of air soles</strong><br /><br /><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstIuZyJdrZQTnBYmX5RrU3NPNOK6SWX8yo0MNZMQO2LhGniPVtbOSJliB2FOBTyhBJmEA0oXvaPXr2BJlzWYXZRX_axUoNqufwENzQVmqWT6LczRAcSaoRKq3EPupnzF85FweKVzZ8BqU/s400/dr_martens_boots.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271625554000058402" border="0" />After DR Klaus Maerten's experience on the piste, he had the idea of developing a shoe with an air cushioned sole to provide extra comfort for his sore foot. He hooked up with an old college friend DR Herbert Funck and they began to develop the idea further and before long the first heat-sealed air-cushioned sole was born.<br /><br />By the late 50s the Dr.Marten shoe was selling well under the name of DR Maertens in Germany but the two doctors were keen to explore new markets and placed ads in trade magazines. One of which was spotted by Bill Griggs whose Northamptonshire based company: R Griggs & Co, were looking for something a bit different. The global rights to the air-cushioned sole were secured and the company set to work on developing a range of footwear to attach it to.<br /><br />Features such as the yellow stitching and the pattern on the sole were designed and on 1st April 1960, the first pair of 1460s walked off the production line in Wollaston.<br /><br />Why are they called 1460s? It's the date on which the first pair were produced: 1st 4th 1960.<br /><br /><strong>Air guitar</strong><br /><br />The classic 1460s went on to decorate some of the most celebrated feet in the music industry and the world in general.<br /><br />These include: Billy Bragg, Pete Townshend, Noddy Holder, Ian Dury, Joe Strummer, Buster Bloodvessel, the boys in Madness all had a pair, Robert Smith, Morrissey, PJ Harvey, Sinead O'Connor, Kurt Cobain, Damon Albarn, Rancid, a crack SAS team wore them in the Falklands War, The Pope as mentioned, and John Peel.<br /><br /><strong>Songs in the key of Dm</strong><br /><br />In the 80s, Dr.Martens were immortalised in song. Forget your Kinky Boots and your boots that were made for walking; the Dr Marten range had arrived.<br /><br />Ok, so it wasn't a real song, it was just Alexi Sale ranting around in a episode of The Young Ones - but it still counts!<br /><br />Similarly, not many shoes have helped launch a separate fashion label. When Red Or Dead launched their assault on the fashion world, Wayne Hemmingway and his wife Geraldine customised Dr.Martens to sell on their market stall in Camden. The rest, as they say, is history.</div>andrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06611668291564438465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6516650262122363259.post-2181596005328883632008-11-21T17:11:00.000-08:002009-01-29T01:42:49.456-08:00Chuck Taylor All Stars<div align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1VTCfkwwSunKdiaAyt_J7lYT9uJLOJ6w5zYMpuqPcEJJwdy5IHRX7BEoQBoABehyYbohIm2nhEiQWTnA-g2JcD6RWnmAITXpfUxZvjOJcv62JTBA_bPzO114HnjQHQ_fiYZOFk9Sn7Ut/s1600-h/image1.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 58px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1VTCfkwwSunKdiaAyt_J7lYT9uJLOJ6w5zYMpuqPcEJJwdy5IHRX7BEoQBoABehyYbohIm2nhEiQWTnA-g2JcD6RWnmAITXpfUxZvjOJcv62JTBA_bPzO114HnjQHQ_fiYZOFk9Sn7Ut/s400/image1.gif" alt="converse logo" title="chuck taylor all stars" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271288264361063858" border="0" /></a>Chuck Taylor All-Stars, or Converse All-Stars, also referred to as "Chucks" or "Connies" are canvas and rubber shoes produced by Converse. They were first produced in 1917 as the "All-Star," Converse's attempt to capture the basketball shoe market. They were not particularly popular until basketball player Chuck Taylor adopted them as his preferred shoe. He was impressed with the design so he became the shoe's leading salesman. After proposing a few changes to the shoe, the shoe got its current name and Chuck Taylor's signature on its ankle patch. Although classic black is the most popular, Chuck Taylor was himself known to prefer unbleached white high-tops (known in his day as simply "white").<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" align="justify"><br />Consumers demanded more variety from the shoe - particularly with respect to colors in order to match basketball teams - so colored and patterned shoelaces became popular to complement the two colors, black and white, available before 1966. Afterwards, more colors and styles became available. Low-top or "Oxford", high-top, and later knee-high, versions were produced. More materials were offered for the construction, including leather, suede, vinyl, denim, and hemp. Some versions of the shoe were offered without laces, held up instead by elastic. These new versions of the shoe were also co-designed by Chuck Taylor, just before his death in 1969.<br /><br />A full biography of Chuck Taylor was published by Indiana University Press in March 2006 under the title Chuck Taylor, All Star: The True Story of the Man Behind the Most Famous Athletic Shoe in History, with a foreword by the retired college basketball coach Dean Smith.<br /><br />When Converse was bought by Nike and operations were moved from the United States to overseas, the design saw a few alterations. The fabric is no longer 2-ply cotton canvas but 1-ply "textile" and many wearers have noticed different patterns of wear.<br /><br />The shoes are available in several core colors, seasonal colors, and a variety of print styles. In the 1950s the shoes became popular within the greaser subculture and amongst many fans of rockabilly. Fans of punk rock have adopted the shoe as a fashion trend since the late 1970s and many popular punk rock bands, such as the Ramones, have supported the trend by wearing the sneakers. All-Stars became popular again in the '90s grunge culture, especially in the early '90s days of G-funk. There has been a recent re-adoption of them in modern emo and "gangsta" fashion. They have appeared in numerous films and videogames, as well as TV shows and commercials.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Popularity</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMSgSbb2OZ58r3G9I__2IWKmlGqeXWSK_edVB6xZ32iSQqU229EPbg7ffjCtTjEvobahSjxETostfZjBqijwtbBPQZaFG4yds1poBpxal4KFpsII5oph3o2IjIk1MGTZew7zsZc_jlGxK/s1600-h/1v577_large.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMSgSbb2OZ58r3G9I__2IWKmlGqeXWSK_edVB6xZ32iSQqU229EPbg7ffjCtTjEvobahSjxETostfZjBqijwtbBPQZaFG4yds1poBpxal4KFpsII5oph3o2IjIk1MGTZew7zsZc_jlGxK/s400/1v577_large.jpg" alt="converse, sneakers, keds" title="chuck taylor all stars" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271288488684386978" border="0" /></a>Despite the major setbacks for Converse in recent times[citation needed], the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star is the most successful shoe in history, and has enjoyed recent popularity thanks to a resurgence of old school trends. By the turn of the 21st century, over 750 million pairs had been sold worldwide. They no longer seem to be worn by their original target market of basketball players (at least not in the professional sphere) who have moved on to more modern shoes, but instead they are now marketed to the mainstream teenager. Some are so enthusiastic about the sneakers that they have a vast, ever-growing collection.<br /><br />Since the turn of the century, particularly since 2005, Converse sneakers have become increasingly popular, with a growing market. Originally seen as being worn by those in the rock music scene, the market is growing with various, younger scenes, some based on a sub-culture; the Chuck Taylors are also becoming more popular with the pop music scene and fashion in general. Many Chuck Taylor owners are those who have owned the shoes in the past, and most own more than one pair, as recently many more colors are now produced than before. One other place in which the shoe is quite popular is in the sport of powerlifting, where the flat soles of the shoe make for a more stable base than normal styles of sneakers whose heel is usually thicker than the toe of the shoe, and which often have cushioning that absorbs and therefore wastes some of the force exerted to move the weight. Many powerlifters state the lack of elevation in the heel provides better support during squats and deadlifts. Moreover, the lack of elevation reduces the range of motion during the deadlift, often allowing more weight to be lifted by shortening the distance the barbell must be moved.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><h2>Chuck Taylors and fashion</h2></span><br />Chuck Taylors saw another upswing in popularity in the early 1990s. Some may attribute this growing trend to a higher awareness of such fashions as grunge -- an outgrowth of some of the same rock-oriented youth cultures that have kept an affinity for the shoes since (at least) the late '70s/early '80s punk and new wave eras.<br /><br />The recent increases in numbers of colors may also have led to the market for Chuck Taylors growing, due to various owner- or factory-based customizations of the shoe through color, use of stylized shoelaces, and through drawing or writing on the rubberized parts. The customization of Chuck Taylors is highly popular with the rock scene, especially, but not limited to, teenage girls, with many drawing/writing on the shoes, putting mismatching laces in the shoes, or wearing odd shoes (often two differently colored Chuck Taylors) -- all styles fairly common among wearers of the shoes over the past three decades. However, the original trend of wearing the low-rise shoes (in white) and writing on the rubberized part can be traced back to early as 1972, with the height of the fashion amongst junior high school girls being between 1973-1975. In addition to writing on the shoes, young girls in some areas also interlaced ordinary jingle bells onto the laces, making jingling sounds whenever they walked down the corridors of their local junior high schools.<br /><br />Although Chuck Taylors are, along with Dr. Martens, still closely associated with punk fashion, punks have been the target of criticism for wearing a shoe that is ultimately manufactured by Nike, a company that has been accused of producing their shoes in third-world "sweatshops" (since 1998). Because of Nike's alleged practices, some see wearing Converse shoes as being at odds with punk's general association with left-wing politics, particularly anarchism and some forms of revolutionary socialism. Many punks now wear sweatshop-free imitations, such as those made by the Blackspot Anticorporation or No Sweat Apparel, so as to avoid such an ideological conflict. One can recognize a pair of pre-Nike era All-Stars by the "Made in U.S.A."-marking found in the heels of the American made All-Stars, but this part of the heel patch usually wears out somewhat quickly.</div>andrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06611668291564438465noreply@blogger.com1