Watch Your Step: 3 things the Sneaker Industry Needs To Evolve
Amid almost weekly updates of plummeting profits, unsold stock and layoffs, we asked sneaker expert and educator Sean Williams, co-founder of the SOLEcial Studies Community Academy, what the sneaker industry needs to stay relevant and innovate. His answer? Diversity, a deeper understanding of the social and cultural significance of sneakers and pathways through education.
Out of step: Why sneakers and sportswear still lag on sustainability
Have you ever wondered what becomes of your old sports shoes? In this article for newswire publisher 360info, Dr Rebecca Van Amber and Dr Alexandra Sherlock examine some of the current sustainability challenges facing the sports and athleisure apparel market.
8th Street Samba: here’s why the authentic collaboration behind the ‘perfect sneaker’ matters
As the fashion industry strives towards a more circular and sustainable future, Dr Alexandra Sherlock and Professor Andrew Groves explore the pros and cons of sneaker collaborations. Full article available at The Conversation UK.
The Art and Science of Repair: Towards a Responsible and Meaningful Relationship with Footwear
Sustainability in Fashion Masters Graduate Kirraly Antcliff discusses the importance of footwear repair and the responsibility of brands to care for their products beyond the point of sale.
Search the archive for more articles from the Footwear Research Network:
More From the Footwear Research Network…
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![A pair of tan leather Jacoform shoes owned by Footwear Research Network contributor Professor Andrew Groves photographed against a black background.]()
Contributors
Meet our internationally acclaimed network of contributors.
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![A photograph of a shoe gallery at Shoes of No Shoes (SONS), Kruisem, Belgium.]()
Museums & Archives
A list of publicly available museums and archives in alphabetical order by country.
If the shoe fits:
FootweaR, Identity & Transition
The Footwear Research Network is an outcome of the ESRC-funded research project If the Shoe Fits: Footwear Identity and Transition at the University of Sheffield (2010-2013). Learn more about the project and research outputs here.
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The Footwear Research Network is an outcome of the ESRC-funded research project If the Shoe Fits: Footwear Identity and Transition at the University of Sheffield (2010-2013).
Learn more here
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Watch the ‘If the Shoe Fits’ documentary to learn more about the research project and the relationship between wearers and their shoes. Filmed and produced by Sheffield Vision.
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Learn more about the ‘If the Shoe Fits’ research team and board of advisors.
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Following the success of the original ITSF project, further funding was secured in 2015 for a follow-on project, ‘If the Shoe Fits: Enabling Patient-Centred Podiatry’.
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A number of papers and publications were produced directly from the ‘If the Shoe Fits’ research and in association with the project. Access the full list here.