Suzanne Blecher

LAtest

Keeping Up with Comfort

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The Importance of Wellness

With wellbeing top of mind, we explore how standout brands highlight health and happiness in their footwear.

Passion for the Planet

We recently caught up with a couple of eco experts who are doing important work in developing new ways to improve textile recycling and the problem of waste along with identifying new material alternatives that are better for the environment.

The ABC’s of Brand Strategy

In the life of a brand, companies make many attempts to meet specific, long-term goals. While the road may wind, the ultimate endpoint is to sell, sell, sell. We’ve chatted up some top industry executives to see what they are doing now, during a difficult time, to stand out...

Passion for the Planet

We recently caught up with a couple of eco experts who are doing important work in developing new ways to improve textile recycling and the problem of waste along with identifying new material alternatives that are better for the environment.

The Importance of Wellness

With wellbeing top of mind, we explore how standout brands highlight health and happiness in their footwear.

The Boot Book: Best Foot Forward

Whether for work or play, shoppers know what they want from their boots, and in laundry list fashion. As society continues to emerge from the pandemic, many consumers are looking to buy shoes that complement a new array of ever-changing endeavors.

All Together Now

2020 was a year for family. As the world was turned upside down, we went outside to right ourselves and let loose. According to the 2021 Outdoor Participation Trends Report (commissioned by the Outdoor Foundation), 53 percent of Americans ages six and over participated in outdoor recreation...

Feeling Good

Wellness is defined as the state of being in good health. It is complete physical, mental, and social well-being. For shoe brands, wellness starts in the feet.

Natural Wonders

Shoe brands are working wonders when it comes to sustainability by using natural and recyclable materials. We take a closer look at sustainability stories from brands such as Twisted X, Timberland, Vionic, Sanuk, Kodiak, Simple and more.

Feeling Good

Wellness is defined as the state of being in good health. It is complete physical, mental, and social well-being. For shoe brands, wellness starts in the feet.

Climate Conscious Innovation

Shoe brands are working wonders when it comes to sustainability by using natural and recyclable materials. We take a closer look at sustainability stories from brands...

Natural Wonders

Shoe brands are working wonders when it comes to sustainability by using natural and recyclable materials. We take a closer look at sustainability stories from brands such as Twisted X, Timberland, Vionic, Sanuk, Kodiak, Simple and more.

Winning Active Endeavors

Contributing editor Suzanne Blecher highlights five brands with USA-made collections that tell a compelling material story for products targeting activities such as hunting, golf and hiking.

Going Green(er)

Active/outdoor brands are raising the sustainability bar In 2021, designing eco-friendly products that not only look good, but consumers feel good about purchasing.

Winning Active Endeavors

Contributing editor Suzanne Blecher highlights five brands with USA-made collections that tell a compelling material story for products targeting activities such as hunting, golf and hiking.

Audience Expansion

With hopes of better times ahead in 2021, brands are broadening their horizons. Whether extending into an entry-level product, reaching into a related category or plucking new collaborative partners, the ultimate goal is to keep people moving and harbor brand health.

Everyday Adventures

Brand execs weigh in on the key outdoor and work boot trends to watch for in 2021. “Athletic inspired. Work brands are realizing there is a large portion of consumers that have never worn a boot and look at them as being heavy and uncomfortable...

The Boot Book: Trail Blazers

Boots are ready to meet the moment in the new year. Amidst a challenging 2020, the work and outdoor categories kept their heads above water due to consumer demand. And for 2021, new boot styles across the board are hitting on all cylinders.

The Boot Book: Trail Blazers

Boots are ready to meet the moment in the new year. Amidst a challenging 2020, the work and outdoor categories kept their heads above water due to consumer demand. And for 2021, new boot styles across the board are hitting on all cylinders.

Power of the Picture

Textile firms are doing their best to market their novel technologies, fabrics and eco-stories through a computer screen. With Instagram’s hi-tech, hand-feel simulation, Textile Insight explores the unique actions that companies are taking to keep consumers aligned.

Face Time

As a newly evolving category in the run marketplace, face masks are still finding their footing. Some businesses in the running market, for example, see mask sales as an opportunity, while other businesses, even though supporting the wearing of masks, balk at the responsibility of choosing...

The Mask Rundown

Running masks are a newly evolving category filled with opportunity, if you can get past the challenges. Brands and retailers share their learnings in attempts to accommodate customers.

Safety Goes the Distance

With virtual school, online meetings and health concerns all in the mix this season, consumers have turned to running as a stress reliever and mind clearer – at all times of the day. In response, brands are stepping up their game to make runners shine.

Boot Book: The Essentials

Durability, comfort and protection never go out of style in the work and safety footwear category. And even as the footwear business has been challenged in 2020, work footwear has continued to deliver with performance, style and more.

Boot Book: New Rules

The outdoor boot has been redefined. No longer dominated by traditional hiking boot silhouettes, performance hiking styles range from mid to low-cut heights, and pack in plenty of athletic tech and aesthetic. Outdoor lifestyle boots span the same diverse spectrum.