shoes

The Future of Footwear: What’s next in the Sole Game?

by Natalie Kimani|30 October 201730 November 2017|Business

USD430 billion; that’s how much the Global footwear market is estimated to be worth by 2024. The men’s formal shoe market alone is set to reach $9,881 million by 2022, according to Allied Market Research. However, what elements and trends...

Innovation Fridays: Transforming High Heels with just a Click

by Natalie Kimani|20 October 201730 November 2017|Design, Fashion

When it comes to high heels, there’s universal unanimity that they’re appallingly uncomfortable. No wonder they stopped being a men’s fashion staple in the 1740s. Because it’s simply ludicrous to believe women would give up heels entirely, we’re pleased to...

MYANG: Little Treats for Tiny Feet, Made in South Africa

by Natalie Kimani|18 October 201730 November 2017|Design, Fashion

[Image: Courtesy of Myang] It’s all about foundation. And we believe babies and toddlers deserve a little style and pizazz in their wardrobe too. Little feet already melt our hearts, but the bright and quirky designs, patterns and textures...

Get Inked: Durban-based LACED Customizes Tattoos for Shoes

by Natalie Kimani|16 October 201730 November 2017|Design, Fashion

South American totem poles [Image: Courtesy of LACED] In a world of over seven billion people, who wouldn’t want to carve out a little nook of unique existence. With a global market that is increasingly favouring the generic, it...

SSEKO DESIGNS: The Made in Uganda Sandals Giving Girls Options

by Natalie Kimani|11 October 201730 November 2017|Design, Fashion

We’re all familiar with the Bette Midler quote, which goes, "Give a girl the correct footwear and she can conquer the world." It’s a phrase that Ugandan-based fashion brand, Sseko Designs, remarkably seems to embody. In addition to the handbags...

MONAA: How Traditional Slippers Led to a Luxury Footwear Label

by Natalie Kimani|09 October 201730 November 2017|Business, Fashion

Three Continents. Two Sisters. One Vision. MONAA is a footwear label that was started in 2013 by German-born Ghanaian sisters, Nana and Afua Dabanka. Their vision; to pay homage to their Ashanti heritage though their sandals that are handmade by...

ECO-SHOES GHANA: Changing Social Perception One Pair at a Time

by Natalie Kimani|02 October 201730 November 2017|Business

Fashion is often used as a platform for social commentary and change. While many designers start by building their brand name and then branching into a form of CSR (corporate social responsibility), Mable Suglo from Ghana chose to do it...

Inspired by Africa: TAWIA DESIGNS by Emmanuel Tawia

by Natalie Kimani|27 September 201730 November 2017|Design, Fashion

It started with a compliment. While in college, founder - Emmanuel Tawia King - would make shoes as a hobby. By simply wearing his designs, he’d receive compliments and inquiries on where they could purchase a pair as well. However,...

The Woven Beauty of Nigerian Brand: ETHNIK by Tunde Owolabi

by Natalie Kimani|25 September 201730 November 2017|Design, Fashion

Reinvent and sustain culture. It’s already a fact that Africa is a hub of prodigious design. Nevertheless, now more than ever, it needs to go a step further and preserve heritage; before the techniques and stories are disremembered. So what...

Innovation Fridays: Auto-lacing Nike HyperAdapt 1.0

by Natalie Kimani|22 September 201730 November 2017|Design, Fashion

https://youtu.be/z7Cyv3cvIxY Ah, the movies. A wonderful place that gives you ideas of technology you never knew you needed until they paraded the concept across the screen. Iron man’s computing system and personal assistant, J.A.R.V.I.S., the phone implant in Total...

YaCHAIKA: Yasuyuki Yamada Literally Putting The Spring Into Your Step

by Natalie Kimani|15 September 201730 November 2017|Design, Fashion

We all known the saying, “keep your heels, head and standards high”. Their perennial appeal is aptly captured by Christian Louboutin, “they transform your body language and attitude. They lift you up physically and emotionally.” It doesn’t hurt that it...

Lechal: The Haptic Smart Shoes That Lead The Way

by Natalie Kimani|08 September 201730 November 2017|Design, Fashion

Great ideas are all around you, and more often than not, your best designs will be born out of necessity. A drive to provide a solution to a problem that exists in your society. For Krispian Lawrence and Anirudh Sharm,...

Sandal Your Soles with Rwandan Shoe Brand, UZURI K&Y

by Natalie Kimani|04 September 201730 November 2017|Business, Fashion

Every personal shoe collection needs sandals. On a continent that receives its fair share of sunny days and heat waves, these chic alternates to flip-flops are a necessity. However, just because you need them doesn’t mean that they should be...

THANDO’S SHOES: Foldable Ballerina Flats Inspired by Africa

by Natalie Kimani|31 August 201730 November 2017|Business, Fashion

You don’t really understand how uneven the sidewalks of Nairobi are until you have to traverse the city the day after leg day. Heel wearers are often lauded as brave or denigrated as utterly disrespectful to the shoe craftsmanship for...

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