Footwear Plus Magazine

4 weeks ago | footwearplusmagazine.com | Greg Dutter

Alegria made its the debut in 2008—smack dab in the middle of the Financial Crisis. That markets meltdown ushered in the Great Recession, the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression. It was tough enough for established brands to stay afloat, let alone a clogs startup run by a small, family-owned company, Pepper Gate Footwear, based just outside of Los Angeles. Yet, over the ensuing 17 years, Alegria not only survived but thrived.

Mar 12, 2025 | footwearplusmagazine.com | Ann Loynd Burton

In an era where trends can turn at the drop of a 20-second TikTok video, a 90-year-old shoe is something to celebrate. Sperry‘s Classic CVO (circular vamp oxford) has endured the test of time since making history in 1935 as the world’s first non-slip boat shoe — not the Top-Sider, believe it or not. The style was beloved by icons including JFK and Paul Newman, crafted by Paul Sperry to give sailors a better gip on wet decks.

Feb 20, 2025 | footwearplusmagazine.com | Ann Loynd Burton

Inspired by Japanese craftsmanship and the Chinese concept of Yin and Yang, Flower Mountain designs sneakers that encapsulate the outdoor spirit and urban culture in one colorful package. The Washi sneaker is a prime example, fusing technical fabric with suede, tactile ribbons, and trekking laces in an ultra-colorful package. Combining retro style inspiration with arts-and-crafts details like perforated suede, the Washi is equally functional and fashionable.

Feb 12, 2025 | footwearplusmagazine.com | Ann Loynd Burton

Shoes typically take a backseat to the apparel at New York Fashion Week. But this year’s shows featured more than a few runway moments where the footwear was the fashion. (Looking at you Christian Cowan.) From tabi boots to shearling everything to footwear-as-apparel, we’ve rounded up the biggest shoe-moments across the FW25 runways. Sperry was back in full-force at this year’s shows. The brand returned as footwear sponsor at New York Men’s Day while also making waves in women’s fashion.

Jan 29, 2025 | footwearplusmagazine.com | Ann Loynd Burton

Today, Foot Locker, Inc. announced it will return for NBA All-Star 2025, hosting a multi-brand activation for the weekend  in the San Francisco Bay Area. The immersive experience, open Thursday February 13 through Sunday February 16, underlines the retailer’s commitment to basketball culture. It will feature the latest sneaker drops, star-studded NBA player appearances, interactive games and prices, and exclusive product customization.