Lauren Conrad pairs a Paper Crown blazer, tank, and leather shorts with Christian Louboutin shoes on the cover of Lucky magazine’s July 2011 issue, on newsstands Friday (June 10).
Here’s what the 25-year-old fashionista had to share with the mag:
On launching her new line, Paper Crown, without the help of MTV: “It’s easier to launch the line without MTV. A lot of people in fashion don’t want to be linked with anything that has to do with reality TV. Showrooms were turning us down.”
On why MTV deemed her show too “highbrow”: “It didn’t feel like a perfect fit. It’s difficult to compete with all the Jersey Shore-type shows out there. Besides, there weren’t any scenes of me getting drunk or fighting, so what’s the point?”
On why she hates the gym: “I’m just not a fan of the gym. In fact, I hate it. I understand loving the feeling you get after working out – all those endorphins. But going there? It’s the worst.”
On how her eating habits have changed: “I’m now focusing a lot more on my health. I no longer eat pork, I rarely eat beef, and I don’t like chicken now because my mother keeps four hens as pets. I’m not kidding.”
For more from Lauren, visit LuckyMag.com!
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Article source: http://justjared.buzznet.com/2011/05/31/lauren-conrad-covers-lucky-july-2011/
Nadia Coppolino is fitted out by David Jones. Picture: Craig Borrow
Source: Herald Sun
ONE has Nadia Coppolino, girlfriend of Jimmy Bartel, as a model, and up to 40 per cent off designer handbags.
The other has mum-to-be Kelly Giansiracusa, wife of Bulldog Daniel, on side, and 40 per cent off designer shoes.
Stylish winter wardrobes are going cheap with retail rivals Myer and David Jones putting their designer fashion brands on sale today.
International labels such as Chloe and Marc Jacobs and big-name Australia designer brands such as Nicola Finetti and Toni Maticevski are among the names on the bargain list as the retailers make space for summer stock that will start arriving next month.
David Jones regional manager for Victoria Lyn James said a tough retail season meant there was lots of choice at sales, with the department store offering up to 50 per cent off women’s designer clothing and up to 40 per cent off designer shoes and handbags.
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“It’s no secret it’s been a tough season, it’s been a really competitive market place,” Ms James said.
“People have been saving a lot more, but when there’s a sale on people feel a little bit more like opening their wallets.”
She said boots, classic black items and plenty of this season’s stand-out checks and prints were still available and with a good size range.
She said sale items from Australian labels Camilla Marc and Easton Pearson were particularly good buys.
Myer marketing manager Megan Foster said the store had 40 per cent off some of its top Australian designer labels, and 40 per cent off handbags, including some from international names such as Hugo Boss and Missoni, and 50 per cent off designer shoes.
Ms Foster said savvy shoppers had picked out what they were after and were waiting for doors to open.
“Customers know the price, know what they want, they will come in and it’s still in season,” she said.
Article source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/real-winter-warmers-in-latest-store-wars/story-fn6bfm6w-1226066727620
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On any given weekend, it’s not uncommon to find dozens of British Columbia license plates in the parking lot outside Target at Bellis Fair mall in Bellingham, Washington. The same can be said at the Buffalo, New York, Target sojourn of choice for many an Ontarian. So was it any surprise that in January, when the Minneapolisbased Target Corporation announced its agreement to purchase Zellers from parent company Hudson Bay Co. for $1.8 billion and open more than 100 Target stores in Canada, a collective cheer was heard across the country?
Sure, they won’t open until 2013, but last Thursday, the company identified the initial Zellers leases it will be taking over. British Columbians now have 14 stores (including six in Greater Vancouver) to look forward to.
If you haven’t yet familiarized yourself with the coolest of America’s cheap department stores (seriously, Walmart stores are sad compared to Tar-zhay), now’s the time.
Until the brand arrives in our own neighbourhoods, we’ll have to make do with border runs and online orders from target.com. Here’s what we’ve got our eye on this season:
GOOD THINGS IN STORE
MEN’S FASHION
While the men’s department has traditionally been skipped by designer collaborations, it’s worth checking out Converse One Star, a collection from the iconic American brand that launched at Target three years ago. This season’s offerings include graphic tees (from $12.99), military and plaid button-up shirts ($24.99), jeans ($29.99), and, of course, classic lace-up shoes ($29.99).
BEAUTY
This spring, Target expanded its selection of natural beauty brands, adding labels that are free of paraben, phthalate, and sodium lauryl sulphate, including Organix hair care and SheaMoisture body care products to its already-impressive roster of brands such as Yes To Carrots, Weleda, Lavera, Alba, and Eco-Tools by Alicia Silverstone.
Also new: VitaminSchtick SPF 20 flavoured lip balms (from $2.99 to $5.99), from the masterminds behind VitaminWater. In makeup, look for diffusion labels such as JK Jemma Kidd and NP Set by Napoleon Perdis.
WOMEN’S FASHION
We could wax poetic about Target’s GO International designer collaborations -and we will. While this summer’s partnership with resort-wear label Calypso St. Barth (available until June 11) is slightly less high profile than those of the past, it’s just as good. Calypso St. Barth for Target is destination dressing at its best: colourful tank tops, tunics and maxidresses for women, girls and even babies (prices range from $1.99 to $79.99) work just as well in the Caribbean as at Spanish Banks, and there’s a home décor collection of candles, dishes, and even a pouf, too.
DESIGNER COLLABORATIONS
GO International celebrated five years of brilliant collaborations this year by re-releasing 34 of the dresses produced over the years. Some of the most revered (read: Lined up for and fought over) collaborations include Proenza Schouler, Alexander McQueen, Zac Posen, Thakoon, Rodarte, and Luella Bartley who debuted the series with brightly coloured skirts, tops and dresses in 2006. Next up, and definitely worth heading cross-border for: Missoni for Target, which launches Sept. 13 with a whopping 400 pieces (the largest collaboration to date) spanning clothing for women, men, and kids, footwear, travel accessories, office stationery, dinnerware, and even a bicycle and an outdoor patio set. Start sharpening those elbows now.
ACCESSORIES
Boots, shoes and bags at Target have also been blessed by the power of collaboration; witness this season’s Dolce VIta for Target strappy platform wedge sandals ($29.99). Other must-haves from the baubles department include trendy box-shaped purses ($14.99), brightly-coloured plastic watches ($12.99), and sunglasses (from $12.99) by in-house brands Xhilaration and Merona.
Article source: http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Fashion+that+hits+spot/4866415/story.html
Why the code for fashion in Paris is 66When I first arrived in Paris my expectations of haute couture were very high.
All fashion roads lead to the city that gave birth to Coco, Yves and Christians (plural).
No other fashion week in the world is treated with such reverence. Can you imagine London coming to a grinding halt for a week’s worth of catwalks?
But as I embarked on my expedition around the style mecca – Faubourg St Honore, St Germain, Opera and even Le Marais, something seemed terribly wrong.
I kept searching and searching for something original and cool. We’re not talking zany cool here but All Saints individual, Top Shop creative?
Ok so maybe I am slightly exaggerating. But lets put it this way, I saw far too many court shoes and twin sets for my liking. I started observing my fellow shoppers and they were equally traditional.
Identical blow drys – bobs sprayed down within an inch of their life – dark trousers (nothing above a muted brown tone), silky top and some form of unremarkable trench.
The sales assistants also had the same attitude – no smiling and banter, more of a snooty nod mixed with a grimace.
At one high end store (that will remain nameless) I asked an assistant for some advice on shoes. Anyone would have thought I’d asked him for the answer to global warming.
Then at another I returned a broken necklace and asked for it to be repaired. Not possible. I referenced Hermes who had been very helpful in mending something for me. “Oh no madame, we aren’t as good quality as them”. Hmmm not sure their head designer at this leading French createur would be happy with that.
Everybody had raved about the store Colette – a fusion concept store supposedly only selling the most cutting edge garb. I was sorely disappointed.
If all the other stores along the street were non-cool, Colette was painfully try-hard trendy. Overpriced accessories that no one will ever wear. Furs and leather skirts that are impossible to put on and extortionate in price. It was a museum not a store.
Hamleys for adults with some weird clothes thrown in.
On my travels certain places started to whet my clothes appetite. Zadig and Voltaire. The Kooples. Fab grungey tshirts and leggings. But I was missing that one-stop experience.
My beau took me to the Champs Elysees to try and change my mind. He had to be kidding! Gap, HM?
We entered one of the many Galerie arcades – Galerie 66 – and I was literally blown away. A mecca of young designers or nouveaux createurs, all merchandised in a hip non conventional way. In fact its more than a store. It has its own music label and the layout is Philippe Starck-esque.
Shoes were our first stop. I drooled over Vivienne Westwood heels and bought some red ballerina shoes with pom poms. We then entered the clothes zone. And I felt home again. Brit pop was blaring. Tassle bags draped everywhere. Iconic graphics on tshirts. Sexy one piece short and crop tops.
This was just the beginning. I was like a crazed shopaholic. Clothes piled high – nothing was getting left behind. I found the most perfect multi-colour bag – in fake snake skin.
As for my beau it was makeover time. Out with the suit in with the smoking jacket. Groovy waistcoats, double layered t-shirts and suede slip on shoes. Thank goodness mens’ shoe designers have started to offer something more interesting than the stock shiny lace up. I mean, would women wear them?
Best of all were the staff – a funky chick carried all our clothes around the shop as I ran around frothing at the mouth. As we paid the manager then paid us the greatest compliment. He actually admired our outfits.
I was wearing an unusual blue YSL sleeveless sky blue puffer jacket and my beau a pale grey knitted jacket from Venise.
I had all but given up shopping in Paris. Galerie 66 was a revelation.
If you’re planning a shopping spree weekend – take a shortcut to Galerie 66. Then finish it off with an apero at the Costes cafe Madrigal next door and spare a thought for passer by shoppers clutching their bags of same same silk scarves and cashmire cardis.
__________________
Article source: http://www.sofeminine.co.uk/lifestyle/fashion-district-paris-66-n74868.html
Published on Tue May 31 10:06:43 BST 2011
WALKING through the fashion workshops at the University of Northampton’s Avenue Campus, there is a distinct atmosphere of last minute nerves and a slight hint of tension in the air.
And the reason? The students there are busily finishing off their final year collections and are waiting to hear which talented individuals will be selected for the nationally acclaimed School of the Arts Graduate Fashion Show at the Royal Derngate.
Nearly 3,000 people attended last year’s show and the bar has been set very high by previous students, some of whom have gone on to work for such high profile names as Alexander McQueen, Zandra Rhodes, Topshop, Per Una, Harrods, Chloe and Mulberry.
Much of the students’ work will be featured in the final catwalk shows, as well as a gallery exhibition at the Northampton Museum Art Gallery.
This year’s show has been organised with the theme of Formula Fashion, acknowledging the county’s world-class leather and motorsport heritage.
Vicki Dean, acting divisional leader in the school’s fashion and textiles division, explained: “Expect the unexpected. On last year’s catwalk, collections were inspired by burlesque, the Salvation Army and ducks!
“This is a fantastic showcase for our graduates who are at the cutting edge of design – inspiring, motivated and dedicated students who break the mould, take calculated risks and are confident in their own winning formula.”
Students from fashion, textiles, marketing, footwear and accessories courses are currently putting their finishing touches to the designs for the exhibition as well as those they hope could appear in the show itself.
Many of the students have been sponsored or supported by local companies including Joseph Cheaney Sons, Easirider and Lobb’s.
Jane Mills, course leader for fashion, textiles for fashion, footwear and accessories, said it is a challenge to select which designs should make it through to the final show.
He said: “It is difficult because the quality is high and the students have worked incredibly hard this year. We have to stress that the catwalk is not all about their degree, it doesn’t impact on their qualification. They are fashion students and the catwalk is very much an additional activity for them.”
She continued: “Work really starts for the students right at the beginning of their third year when they embark on their research, they choose a theme and are collating and sourcing material and doing samples.
“It is interesting to see how their initial ideas of what they were proposing to do grow and how they develop them.”
England, Japan and even steam trains are just some of the sources of inspiration for ambitious designs created by students ahead of this year’s University of Northampton Graduate Fashion Show.
The Chron visited the university last week to take a sneak peak at some of the bold creations which could make an appearance in this year’s catwalk show at the Royal Derngate or the exhibition at the Northampton Museum Art Gallery.
Student Sophie Hackett, aged 22, is specialising in footwear and accessories and has produced a collection of boots and shoes inspired by steam trains. She produced her designs with the help of Northampton footwear firm John Lobb.
She said: “The shoes are named after well known old steam trains and the collection is based on old steam trains. I wanted to pick a rugged, rustic, mannish idea. When I was doing my sketchwork what I saw was a lot of lines and that is where the designs came about for the boots.”
She added: “I do travel on trains quite a bit and think they are exciting because they take you on a journey and you don’t always know where you are going.
“I was lucky enough to gain sponsorship from John Lobb’s company. I approached a number of companies throughout Northampton and they got back to me saying they were interested in helping. That has been a real journey working with them.”
The idea for the knitwear and print fashion collection of 23-year-old Gemma Darby stemmed from the hotel where she once worked.
She took photos around the hotel of places not normally seen by the public, such as hidden, dirty pipework.
She said: “I like to take what people think is unattractive and turn it into something attractive.”
Meanwhile the title of 26-year-old Thom Neal’s fashion collection for men is DIE MIE (Designed in England, Made in England).
His collection includes a wide variety of fabrics of which the majority are made in England, including tweed from the Isle of Man and parachute lining from a company in Weymouth.
He said: “The two sheepskin coats were made in Northampton at Easirider, although the sheepskin comes from North America.
“It has been hard work but the results have been worth it.
“I have now got a job in Northampton designing bags for Choy Hope.”
He added: “There is a lot more interest now in what is made in the UK, China is very interested and Japan is very interested in English products. It has been the case that people wanted everything fast and cheap but people don’t always want that any more, they want a quality garment.”
Kelly Bull, aged 22, has designed a clothing collection for women which is entitled ‘U Can’t Control Me.’ Many of the pieces use latex as a material and contain unusual designs such as dolls’ faces.
She explained: “It was about how people can have control over each other. I have a daughter and my little girl controls me, not physically but in other ways, and I also looked at men and women to see how their relationships make a mark on people’s lives.
“I did a few experiments with latex and with this material you can make a mould, you can mould and control the fabric.
“It was very hard to work with it though as it is so fragile but that links with the control theme and I like that.”
Ellie Bevis, aged 22, a year three student specialising in textiles for fashion, used Japan and Japanese art as an inspiration for some of her colourful scarf designs. Her work was aided by a trip to the Japanese section of London’s Victoria Albert Museum as well as Japan itself.
Ellie, whose work will be showcased in the exhibition rather than on the catwalk, said: “I have produced a range of scarves and a collection of pleated fabric I have hand painted.”
She continued: “For me, I’m so glad I didn’t decide to do catwalk as it has worked out for me so well, even from the first year I knew I wanted to do textiles and I have really been able to focus on my prints and what I am doing.”
The fashion shows will take place at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on June 22. Tickets are now on sale from the Royal Derngate box office on Northampton 624811. Work by University of Northampton students will also be displayed at the museum until July 17.
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Article source: http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/features/university_students_prepare_for_acclaimed_graduate_fashion_show_at_northampton_theatre_1_2727605
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Many women have a strange love affair with their clothing, with their sense of style.
They remember what they wore during every significant (and not so significant) event in their lives. They long for the September issue of their favourite magazines where everything that’s anything in the world of fashion is on display.
But even the most desperate of fashion addicts has to admit that the images in the pages of Vogue and from the runways of Milan could use a dose of reality.
I know they are meant to be inspiration — art, I suppose — but looking at women contorting their fragile frames into awkward shapes while leaping in the air, hair everywhere, blouses wide open and wearing eight-inch heels, can be a little too much “inspiration.”
That is where the style bloggers come to the rescue.
You may have noticed that with the rise of social media and the popularity of personal websites, there has been a boom in fashion and style blogs. Those amateur websites dedicated to those who love fashion.
Since discovering them, I find myself spending countless hours every week perusing my favourite amateur fashionistas, from the easily relatable outfits at Chic on the Cheap to the jet-setting glamour posts of Sea of Shoes.
And I’m not the only one — the influence of these blogs, specifically their focus on “street style” and how clothes are really being worn by ordinary people is forcing designers, magazines and the fashion industry to take notice.
‘Style Rookie’Tavi Gevinson, a veteran blogger and aspiring fashionista since she was eight. (Tavi Gevinson/Associated Press)
Getting good stuff cheap
These days, the world’s leading fashion designers invite bloggers to their most exclusive events.
A case in point: 13-year-old Tavi Gevinson of The Style Rookie was invited to several big shows during New York’s big Fashion Week in February.
Magazines and their websites now have dedicated sections to street style. It is a case of art imitating life.
While there are some fantastic male bloggers, The Sartorialist being the king of them all, most of these blogs are created and maintained by women.
More importantly, the vast majority are normal, everyday women and girls, who blog about where to get good stuff cheap.
Clearly, part of their popularity springs from the devastating state of the current economy, which has forced just about everyone, even fashion-conscious shopaholics to cut back.
One woman’s trash
From what I can tell, these style bloggers are mostly people with day jobs who don’t work in fashion and who have made it socially acceptable, even a source of pride, to shop at low-end bargain shops and wear the same garment a few times a week.
Some of the blogs even promote NOT buying clothing. The originators actively swap clothing with their friends, fellow bloggers and stylists.
The idea being that one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure.
Several bloggers have participated in the 30 for 30 challenge.
The idea here is that, for one month, the participant only has access to 30 garments of clothing (not including accessories) and has to “remix” them into 30 different, complete outfits. It’s not easy.
The point is that you don’t need to have a lot of clothing in order to be stylish. Less can be more.
In fact one blogger wore the same black dress every day for a year — but restyled it with accessories to make it seem original 365 times.
Don’t live to shop
The overall message from these style bloggers is that fashion doesn’t have to be about materialism.
Many of these bloggers are, in effect, teaching others how to look better and how to feel better. At times they share intimate details about their own insecurities and battles with self-esteem.
If you’ve ever watched an episode of TLC’s What Not To Wear — admit it, you have — you’ll know that getting people to dress better is about getting them to value themselves more appropriately.
Some of us have been taught to believe that investing in our appearance makes us shallow, that putting effort how we look means we don’t care about the more important things in life.
But that’s simply not true. That bit of self-confidence brought on by a properly tailored jacket or a nice pair of shoes can only help.
My obsession with these blogs motivated me to start my own style-blog last year (and I’ll get back to it one of these days).
For a few months, while walking to and from work or while grocery shopping, I would approach strangers and ask if I could take their picture for my blog.
Not a single person said no. Mostly they were flattered and pleased that their effort hadn’t gone unnoticed.
My blog was always about the people that I saw all around me — those with their own sense of style. Walking bits of creativity that I could draw inspiration from.
Fashion blogs may seem like exercises in vanity and maybe to some degree they are. But they achieve something much bigger.
They are taking the shame out of low-budget shopping, making fashion more accessible and teaching people to value themselves. That is the real inspiration.
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Article source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/05/30/f-vp-fatah.html
By
Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 9:07 PM on 30th May 2011
For one so young Jessica Alba’s daughter is certainly keeping up to speed where her fashion is concerned.
Of course, little Honor has her mother to thank for her on-trend purple outfit which she wore on a family day out in Brentwood, California.
The two-year-old could melted even the coldest of hearts in her cute get up which comprised of a white vest top with a purple cardigan, jeans and a pair of canvas shoes topped off with a quaint pink bow in her hair.
Spot on: Jessica Alba’s daughter Honor looks great in her cute purple cardigan as her parents head out in Brentwood, California
Heading out for the day: Jessica Alba, her husband Cash Warren and their daughter Honor go for a stroll
The wardrobe choices would have most likely come from her mother, who is pregnant with her second child.
To add to her cuteness factor her canvas shoes were almost exactly the same as those worn by her father Cash Warren – the only different being the colour.
Purple was predicted to be one of the big colours this season after a strong showing on the catwalks late last year.
All in black: The pregnant actress dressed up her bump in slimming black ensemble
Fashion princess: Honor’s purple cardigan is on-trend this season
Purple wane: Cheryl Cole’s fashion disaster in Los Angeles earlier this month
And Honor pulls it off with ease, outshining the likes of Cheryl Cole who made an embarrassing faux pas with her purple trousers at an appearance for the U.S. X Factor – which she has since been axed from.
Meanwhile Jessica Alba herself opted for an black outfit, with a polka dot blouse, trousers and flat – with a tan coloured shoulder bag.
While husband Cash wore a black shirt and chunky knit cardigan, grey shorts and black and grey canvas shoes.
Over the weekend the pregnant actress
spent several hours shopping at different spots around Los Angeles with
her daughter who turns three next week.
Alba
toted her mini-me around, who was dressed in a princess outfit, making
several stops until the sun had set on their shopping marathon.
The 30-year-old wore a long tie-dye purple and white dress with a zipper jacket.
Her little girl was on her best behaviour as they went around the supermarket stocking up.
Shopping trip: The actress took her daughter around Los Angeles over the weekend – a week before the toddler turns three years old
Alba is due to give birth to her second child this autumn, she has yet to reveal the sex of the baby preferring instead to keep it a secret.
She said: ‘We tell our family but we don’t tell anyone outside of that. I’m hiding it well.’
And, asked whether she thought Honor was ready to have an older sister, she said: ‘We talk about it. She loves babies, she loves her dollies and she likes taking care of her dollies. I think that’s the closest association she can really have with a baby.’
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Article source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1392457/Jessica-Albas-daughter-Honor-fashion-princess-trend-colour-Are-watching-Cheryl.html
The Irish Times – Tuesday, May 31, 2011
ELEANOR FITZSIMONS
Fashion-conscious women are risking life and limb by perching precariously atop skyscraper stilettoes
WE’RE ALL familiar with the term “fashion victim”. Formerly used to describe a shopper in thrall to the latest trend, this may perhaps now be applied more literally to the hoards of teetering women who are taking a tumble in the name of fashion.
Lately it would seem that stylish women are increasingly willing to risk life and limb by perching precariously atop a pair of skyscraper heels. The danger intensifies when dancing and alcohol are introduced into the mix and sadly it seems that even after you’ve kicked off the heels after a night out problems can still arise.
A report in the
Australian Daily Telegraph last April described how ambulance paramedics operating in the southeastern state of New South Wales are reporting a rise in emergency calls from women who have sustained ankle fractures, dislocated knees, head injuries and broken wrists caused by falling from their towering shoes.
These are now more prevalent than sports injuries, it would seem. Australian podiatrists and chiropractors have also seen “dramatic” increases in chronic injuries from excessive wearing of extreme heels.
Elsewhere, a recent US study established that women who regularly wear high heels may be at an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee, also known as degenerative joint disease.
The findings, which were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, confirmed that the higher the heel the greater the risk.
So what is the situation here in Ireland? Are we also paying too high a price for our heels?
According to Anne McGoldrick, practising chartered physiotherapist and medical director of both the Drumcondra Physiotherapy Sports Injury Clinic and the Physio Company, we undoubtedly are.
“There’s definitely an upward trend here in Ireland, particularly during the summer months. The reason for this seasonal variation is obvious really,” says McGoldrick.
“It’s the backless and strapless type of shoe that women are more inclined to fall off.”
The type of injuries that McGoldrick most commonly sees women present with are “fractured wrists and hands but also dislocated shoulders from grabbing onto rails as they are falling”.
Sometimes patients are reluctant to admit what has happened. “We see them in the post-traumatic stage and very often they present with an injury that has been treated, a dislocated shoulder for example,” says McGoldrick.
“It’s only when they’re questioned that it transpires that the fall was as a result of wearing heels.”
Many of the injuries happen the morning after the night before. She advises women “not to jump out of bed” if they’ve been wearing heels the previous night.
“Your calf muscles will have contracted, particularly if you’ve been dancing and you can easily tear them,” she says.
It seems that two distinct types of injury or damage are occurring: serious falls that may require a trip to AE and also the plethora of non-traumatic injuries to knees, calves, ankles and feet.
Walking in high heels is an acquired skill. Without proper support, the ankle and foot move in a turned-out position that weakens the support given to the ankle making it easier to sprain.
Ankle sprains can cause pain and sometimes swelling as a result of soft tissue damage around the ankle.
There are other risks too. The unnatural position of the foot when it is squashed into a shoe that is too narrow can also cause painful deformities such as hammer or contracted toe, bunions and Morton’s neuroma, a painful thickening of nerve tissue between the third and fourth toe.
In addition, the position that high heels force the wearer to adopt, with feet pointing downwards and pressure on the ball of the foot, can affect the posture.
The natural S-curve shape of the back flattens and an added strain is placed on back muscles, causing back pain.
Knee and hip pain may result from the additional work required from these joints to compensate for the position of the foot. Ultimately your ability to move your body forward may be noticeably reduced.
When women present at the clinic with injuries it is important to establish the cause. McGoldrick is clear that “we question them closely so that we can accurately and appropriately offer advice”.
An occasional devotee of heels herself, she offers the following very pragmatic advice: “Don’t hang up your heels, just listen to your body.”
Specifically she advises that women “try to keep the heels under two inches for day-to-day wear. If you must go higher then wear them minimally.”
McGoldrick is realistic enough to realise that there are unrepentant women out there who will never be parted from their towering heels.
She advises dedicated wearers to “maintain good calf muscle strength. Perform calf stretches at least twice a day and keep your core stability strong. That way you’ll minimise the risk.”
It may be the last thing on their minds when they hit the shops, but women keen to add a couple of inches should keep the health risks in mind as they flourish the credit card.
McGoldrick believes that “people don’t think about which type of shoe is safest. Wedges and box heels are better than stilettos, where the heel has a very small surface area.
“Leather stretches and has a bit of give in it and if your feet are two different sizes as many people’s are, fit the shoes to the larger foot.”
One fashion innovation that potentially offers the ideal solution comes in the form of “Flatforms”, best described as level platform shoes.
Unlike platform heels, where the ball of the foot is much lower than the heel, Flatforms elevate the whole foot and replicate the comfort and safety of wearing flat shoes.
Perhaps we can add the inches yet avoid the damage and injuries after all.
Article source: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2011/0531/1224298131741.html
Laney College women’s basketball guard Chardonnay Shula knows how to make a fashion statement on and off the court. With her deadly three-point shooting and over 50 pairs of tennis shoes to chose from, this San Diego Christian College-bound basketball star will walk—and perhaps run—into a bright future.
Having the first name “Chardonnay” would make for an interesting story; it’s a fine wine and a favorite beverage of her step dad’s whose idea it was to name her. But as destiny would have it, it’s not nearly as memorable of a story as being called “Shu.” That is, “Shu” as in Shula and shoes.
“She’s a shoe fanatic,” head women’s basketball coach Ron Williams said of ‘Shu,’ who admits to having a few pairs of runners, about five pairs for basketball, and the rest to look good.
“She’s got a pair of shoes for everyday,” he said, after acknowledging he has never seen her in the same pair of shoes—except for her team basketball shoes.
And wearing those team shoes is something that ‘Shu’ does well. “She’s inspirational,” said one teammate after pointing out how much she contributes to the team.
It was practicing hard with two older brothers who challenged her daily to one-on-one court battles that Shula attributes her rapid advancement in the sport.
She easily gives credit to the special high school friend who recognized her competitiveness and encouraged her to try out for basketball even though she didn’t think the game was for her.
Shula also expresses appreciation to the coach that got her off the road of rough beginnings just four short years ago in her freshman year of high school and on to a better future than she might have otherwise seen for herself.
Basketball gave her direction; it was a fresh start. She speculates that an earlier start in the sport at a younger age might have her already playing professionally but she quickly said, “Things happen for a reason.”
The everyday demands of basketball helped her build her confidence on and off the court and basketball quickly became her passion and a way to make it to college and play ball.
“I fell in love with the game,” she said. She is certain she would be “in a very different place” and doing things she “really shouldn’t have been doing” without basketball as part of her life but now she’s doing it and doing it well.
Her ambition has grown and now she sees her success as athlete as an opportunity to give to others. She knows she has what it takes to make a difference.
Shula won’t brag much about her basketball abilities and modestly says “I can shoot,” but she led the Eagles in three-point shots. She is only a little over 5 feet, 7 inches tall.
“I like to say I’m 5-8,” said Shula, who is average in height among team members but tall in skill and ability as it’s the shots, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks that earned her the ride to San Diego Christian College, located in El Cajon.
“Even though there are others out there who might be better than me, I know that I always work as hard as I can and give it my best,” Shula said. She claims it’s her work ethic that has helped her develop as a player and kept her focused on her grades at Laney. “Don’t give up and always work hard,” is the advice she has for younger players.
And whether it’s a play in a game or a situation in life, “whenever something goes wrong, forget it. It’s the past. Move on.” For Shula, it’s a simple move: “You get the ball back.”
Besides basketball, Shula also plays the drums and the saxophone. She admits to singing every morning in the shower. She will miss the family she leaves behind in Richmond when she heads off for her new school but smiles big when she mentions how much she loves the beaches in Southern California.
As for seeing Shu in the pros, that’s a definite possibility. She’s got two years to work hard in San Diego where she will continue to play basketball, improve her game, and major in sports medicine.
If she’s not on the court playing as a pro after college, she plans to be on the sidelines traveling as the team trainer. The plan is basketball one way or the other. “I really just want to see the world,” she said. She’ll travel with suitcase in hand and with lots of room for shoes.
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Article source: http://www.laneytower.com/shula-s-shoes-they-re-vintage-chardonnay-1.2257196
