Karl Smith

Jun 13, 2024 | futurevvorld.com | Karl Smith

The Second Coming of CIRCULOSE: Is This Fashion’s Recycling Reckoning? Second chances in life are a rare thing. The sheer volume of music, films, and other popular culture media devoted to the subject ought to make that obvious. It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol, Against All Odds — all cultural touchstones, all anchored on the concept of getting another go around in one way or another. Without second chances, the human condition is just that little bit less bearable and less beautiful.

Jun 12, 2024 | futurevvorld.com | Karl Smith

Merrell 1TRL and Advisory Board Crystals Walk the Path to Enlightenment – In Hydro MocsGiven that the Michigan-based brand produces the world’s best-selling hiking shoe, it’s fair to say that Merrell is one of those brands that people just know; from full-blown sneakerheads to the kind of consumer that sees footwear as nothing but a necessary means to practical ends, Merrell figures as part of the conversation. And it should: the Moab 3 is a best-seller for a reason, after all.

Jun 6, 2024 | futurevvorld.com | Karl Smith

Have We Reached Sportswear’s Sustainability Turning Point? Sportswear, huh, what is it good for? Well, we wouldn’t go so far as to “absolutely nothing,” but there’s definitely room for improvement. The good news, though, is that improvement already seems to be underway. Even if things aren’t moving quite as quickly as we’d like or, for that matter, as fast as the planet needs, movement is in the right direction – and it’s gaining serious momentum.

Jun 4, 2024 | futurevvorld.com | Karl Smith

Merrell x Parks Project Is a Call To Keep the Outdoors GreatPresumably created by someone in a marketing department somewhere in order to explain the idea that two distinct entities can work in tandem, “brand synergy” is basically a way of saying “collaboration” for people who aren’t sure that their idea works. It’s one of those bits of industry jargon which (rightly) strikes fear into the hearts of anyone hoping for a halfway-decent or meaningful end result.

May 30, 2024 | futurevvorld.com | Karl Smith

Footwear’s Love Affair With Excess Keeps Dragging Us BackwardsOne hand giveth, the other taketh away. Or should that be “one foot” instead? For some time now we’ve seen the sneaker industry making strides toward Earth-friendlier products – new materials, new processes, new modes of design – and that shift has been rightly celebrated. At the same time, however, we’ve consistently seen those gains trampled over by rapid movement in the other direction.