BEAUTIFUL SHOES FOR NARROW OR WIDE FEET

Try These On for Size
O, The Oprah Magazine  |  From the February 2007 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

Shoes for All Sizes
"One size fits all" doesn't work when your feet aren't average, which is why shoes used to come in widths. "My dad owned a shoe store for 57 years," says Jeffrey Kalinsky, owner of Jeffrey New York, a megachic boutique in Manhattan's hip meatpacking district. "He sold everything from AAAA to B, and women bought shoes by width almost as much as by length." These days shoe sizes are usually a lot less specific, so you must be guided mostly by brand: Certain lines are better for broader feet, others for slim ones (and there are a few considerate makers that continue to produce shoes in a range of widths). Whatever your feet need, here's how to hit your stride

Narrow Feet
What to look for:

    * A well-fitting heel — too loose and you'll wobble (and risk a sprained ankle)
    * Straps, laces or ties, so that you can adjust the shoe for a closer fit if necessary
    * Leather rather than suede (the latter is too yielding to give adequate support)
    * Round toes, which make very long, thin feet look more in proportion

Wide Feet
What to look for:

    * Suede or soft calfskin that stretches where you need it
    * More covered styles — broad feet "spill" out of bare, low-cut shoes
    * Moderately pointy toes to add length (but beware shoes that narrow radically in front; they can trigger pinched nerves)
    * Shoes the same color as your skin, to make feet seem less prominent
    * Nonbinding design—feet bulge unattractively around straps

MY THOUGHTS

this is a case of accepting reality and learning to live with it. most often than not, when we try to 'go against the tide', we end up the losers.  so, next time you shop for beautiful shoes look for what's best for your feet size.

BEAUTIFUL SHOES FOR THIN ANKLES

BEAUTIFUL SHOES FOR THIN ANKLES

from "Shoe Selection 101"
Original Content  |  January 01, 2006

For those with thin ankles…

…will look like trees stuck in concrete in clumpy shoes such as Birkenstock clogs. Even a ballet flat will appear to swamp the foot, and large details, such as flowers, tend to overpower a thin ankle.

    * If you wear an open-backed shoe, it needs to be a thong sandal so the flow of your legs isn't broken.
    * Pointed toes finish off the ankle in a less jarring way than a round toe.
    * Any detail in the front of the shoe should be delicate.

If you have thin ankles…

…beware of hefty heels. They dominate the shoe, make your feet look enormous and exaggerate the skinniness of your ankles.

More elegant heels will allow the wearer to show off her ankles to the best advantage without the shoes detracting from them and drawing too much attention to your feet.

MY THOUGHTS

"shoes like trees stuck in concrete"!  what i way to put it.  it conjures a very, uh, unpalatable (?) image.  i don;t recall sewing anybody with thin ankles and chunky feet.  so, it's the beautiful shoes.  choose well, then.

Beautiful Shoes for THICK Ankles

SHOES FOR THICK ANKLES

from "Shoe Selection 101"
Original Content  |  January 01, 2006

For those with thick ankles…

…flat shoes with a thin toe make the ankle look even stumpier. A high ankle strap strangles the ankle, and a low kitten heal is in danger of looking like it's going to snap under your weight.

A more substantial shoe looks in proportion to a more substantial ankle:

    * A chunky loafer is a good choice.
    * A simple thong lends much-needed length to a thick ankle.
    * Clogs and mules are a thick ankle's best friend.

For those with thick ankles…

…slingbacks with kitten heels and mules with a thin heel will both look like you have squashed a large leg into a tiny shoe.

If you wear a pump, make sure the heel comes straight down from the base of the shoe, which will give your ankle some shape.

    * A slingback can look good with a high, sturdy heel.
    * A heavy heel on a wedge mule will make your ankles appear thinner.

MY THOUGHTS   

i don't like clogs.  but i like loafers and i tolerate thongs.  so, not a problem.

WHAT RAISING SHOES MEANS

WHAT RAISING SHOES MEAN

FROM Babylon & Beyond
February 11, 2011 |  3:48 pm


EGYPT: What it means when protesters wave shoes

When protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square heard President Hosni Mubarak's natioanl address, in which he refused to step down, many took off their shoes and waved them in the air.

"The message of the shoes is clear," British blogger k2p wrote.

But was it?

The moment was captured in photographs, including one on k2p's blog and another snapped by a prostester and uploaded to Twitpic, titled "The anticlimax."

Some of the best descriptions of the significance of shoe-waving came after another incident broadcast around the world in Dec. 2008 — when Iraqi journalist Muntather Zaidi threw his shoes at President George W. Bush during a news conference in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone.

The Iraqi journalist was detained, and some supporters in Ankara, Turkey, later laid a black wreath with an imprint of a shoe at the gate of the U.S. Embassy in a show of solidarity.

At the time, the Inquirer explained:

"Facing the soles of your shoes toward anyone's face, striking them with your shoe soles, or throwing your shoes at them are considered to be grave insults in Arabic cultures. All Arabs regard streets and, by extension, shoe soles as unclean, and view being struck by shoe soles as a form of extreme disrespect."

MY THOUGHTS

now you know what to do, or what NOT to do, with your shoes when you're angry.

600 SHOES on EXHIBIT

600 SHOES on EXHIBIT

Yakima shoe show strolls through history

About 600 pairs of high heels from David Childs' collection will be on display at the Yakima Valley Museum for the rest of this year after an opening reception Friday.

By Pat Muir

Yakima Herald-Republic

David Childs saw something in the high heels stashed in his mother's closet, something most people would miss.

He saw how a shoe could transcend function, transcend fashion itself, into the realm of art. He saw the curve of the heel, and, where you or I might have seen the potential for bunions, he saw sculpture.

"It's just a fascination," Childs said, standing among hundreds of shoe boxes. "I can't really explain it any other way. They're pieces of art."

About 600 pairs of high heels from his collection will be on display at the Yakima Valley Museum for the rest of this year after an opening reception Friday. Childs has more than twice that number of shoes in his collection, an obsessive pursuit begun in 1968 and abetted by decades as a Nordstrom salesman that has only deepened his appreciation of fine women's footwear.

"I have paid $4 [hundred], $5 [hundred], $600, several times for something I thought I really should have," he says.

While the aesthetic appeal of high heels remains his primary motivation, Childs has found that, like any artistic medium, there are fascinating sociocultural aspects to footwear. The history of American society can, in some ways, be traced through his collection. The earliest pieces on display at the museum date to before World War I; they're high button boots, echoing the Victorian modesty of the late 19th century. To contrast those with high heels from the Roaring '20s is to acknowledge the broad cultural changes that took place over a decade's time.

"This was the first time feet and legs really showed," Childs says, picking up a pair of ornate Art Deco-influenced heels dating to the Jazz Age. "Shoes were important. Manufacturers went wild with color and new innovations."

High heels from the 1930s reflect the influence of Hollywood's early Golden Age. Heels from the 1940s show innovation, specifically the use of reptile skins and fabric as a replacement for war-rationed leather. The postwar high heels reflect postwar American society's move from rural to suburban, with open-toed shoes and spiked heels.

"Until the '60s, many women dressed like that just to go shopping at the grocery store," Childs says.

The '60s, of course, brought liberation — political, sexual, and artistic — all of which is reflected in its decadent high heels. And there was, blessedly to Childs' mind, still a bit of classic glamour to the Kennedy era. By the '70s, that love-generation excess got out of control in the footwear arena just like it did everywhere else.

"Shoes got real chunky in the '70s," Childs says. "The heels came down. I call it the chunky, ugly era."

The '80s marked a return to styles from the '50s, mirroring the nostalgia movement that brought us "Happy Days" and all those '50s-themed diners.

"Most shoe designers will tell you there's only so many things you can do with shoes, and then they repeat," Childs says.

In recent years, high-heel fashion has splintered and fragmented like so many other forms of pop culture. There is no one style that defines this era, and Childs collection acknowledges that.

His newer shoes are all different colors, shapes and materials. That diversity, says the museum's curator of exhibitions, Andy Granitto, is indicative of yet another societal trend, the modern willingness to stand out. It's not such a negative to be seen as eccentric or outside the norm anymore.

"For people who buy that shoe," he says pointing to a flamboyantly bejeweled heel, "it's important that it makes a statement. It defines them as a person."

And this is a guy, Granitto, who initially wasn't crazy about the idea of a high-heels exhibit. John Baule, the museum's director, was wary at first, too, Granitto says. But that changed after they went to see Childs' collection.

"John comes back and says, 'There's this guy with this collection of shoes,' and I was skeptical," Granitto says. "But I went and saw them and was just immediately like, 'This is going to be an incredible exhibit.' "

Like Childs himself, Granitto and Baule started to see something in those high heels. They saw history and they saw culture. And they saw art.

"At some basic level, no matter how people look at it, it's a side of culture, of humanity, of embellishment, of turning things into something," Granitto says. "They're works of art."

MY THOUGHTS

yakima valley is in central washington! so much for seeing the exhibit.  i was just curious.

SHOE SLASHER

Shoe slasher investigation

7:35am Thursday 27th January 2011

POLICE are investigating a bizarre incident in which an intruder targeted a family home and slashed ten pairs of shoes.

The shoes, which were on a rack inside the porch, were attacked with a knife before being thrown all over the floor.

A trailer in the garden of the house in Oatfield Gardens, Totton, also had its cover slashed.

PC Vicki Tomkins said: “This is a highly unusual crime. Police would like to hear from anyone who saw something suspicious or who may have information about who could be responsible.”

The incident occurred between 7pm last Sunday and 8am the next day.

Ring PC Tomkins at Totton police station on 101 or call Crimestoppers on

MY THOUGHTS

your guess is as good as mine. could be a prank? or a member of the family stepped on someone else's shoes?  whatever, i would hate to be the victim.  not my shoes, please.

Do Special Fitness Shoes Really Work?

Do Special Fitness Shoes Really Work?
Hilary Walke on Jun 4, 2009 at 1:16PM
www.ivillage.com

MBT's Anti-Shoe

MBT's The Anti-Shoe is supposed to improve fitness levels and overall health. Could it be true?

Claim: Improves posture; tones butt, lower limbs
Price: $239.99 to $247.00

Our Fitness Expert Says: In a study published in the Journal of Prevention and Rehabilitation, this shoe did have postural benefits. The good news is that if your back is achy and your posture could use a boost, these shoes can definitely help with standing tall. This will improve your appearance and prevent future back and joint problems.

Earth's Exer-Fit Sandal

These new summer sandals are apparently a comfier alternative to average flip-flops.

Claim: Strengthens, tones, activates core muscles; engages hamstring, quad and calf muscles
Price: $49

Our Fitness Expert Says: Unlike most sandals, these will provide you with great arch support and even a little extra incline in the sole to push your weight back over your heels. It’s a great way to engage the core muscles and improve posture.

Acupressure Sandals

Imported directly from China, these acupressure sandals are supposed to heal and massage your foot.

Claim: Revives vital organs; accelerates metabolism; improves blood circulation; reduces heart strain; helps you look and feel younger
Price: $35.95

Our Fitness Expert Says: Even though acupressure has been shown to help with a wide range of issues, from nausea to PMS, there is no evidence that this sandal will help you look and feel younger.

Z-Coil Footwear

With an actual spring attached to its heel, this shoe seems to be one of a kind—for sure.

Claim: Relieves foot, neck and back pain; reduces the shock of impact; improves mobility.
Price: $200 to $230

Our Fitness Expert Says: If you’re on your feet for most of the day, these shoes can help protect your joints from repetitive impact. However, unless that motivates you to move more, the extra cushioning won’t only be found on your shoes.

Skechers Shape-Ups

Skechers Shape-Ups resemble sneakers that you'd use to walk on the moon.

Claim: Improves posture, tightens abs, firms butt and calves; reduces cellulite and tones thighs
Price: $99 to $110

Our Fitness Expert Says: These sneakers have a similar concept to MBT’s, so if you’re looking for a little help with the slouch go for it. Just remember that wearing these shoes isn't your replacement for the gym.

MY THOUGHTS

if you find these info useful or interesting, visit www.ivillage.com to find out more.

Beautiful Shoes that Feel Good

Treat Your Feet: Shoes that Look and Feel Good
Arricca SanSone on May 27, 2010 at 11:41AM

From stilettos to strappy sandals—how to choose summer styles that won't hurt your feet

Stilettos

Ultra-high heels look beautiful on Sarah Jessica Parker and her fellow Sex and the City 2 cast members, but the damage they can inflict on your feet can be ugly. Walking or standing at that angle on hard surfaces can put a strain on the balls of your feet, and eventually cause permanent deformities like hammer toes. “You’re transmitting tremendous force to the forefoot,” says Steven L. Haddad, M.D., associate professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at the University of Chicago. “The higher the heel, the more pressure and pain in the ball of the foot.”

The solution: You don't have to give up stilettos completely; just save the Manolo Blahniks for special occasions. Limit wear to a few hours, sit often, and go with a lower heel (2 1/4” or less) if you need to walk a lot. With sandal styles, the more straps, the better as they can hold your foot in place so you won’t wrench your ankle.

Flip Flops

They’re a summer staple, but—believe it or not—they’re actually hard on your feet. “Pancake-flat flip flops are fine for around the pool, beach or hotel room so you don’t step on anything or pick up plantar warts or athlete’s foot,” says Krista Archer, D.P.M, of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “But they’re not meant for long walks because they have zero support, which can lead to heel or arch pain and tendonitis.”

The solution: Toss last year’s worn pair and look for a new pair with built-in arches and a slight wedge or thicker heel, such as FitFlops. A good test of quality: Bend the shoe to test its sturdiness; it should flex at the ball of the foot but not fold completely in half.

Sandals

Sandals are perfect for flaunting your pedi and, while they're pretty, they're also practical. “They’re some of the healthiest shoes,” says Carol Frey, M.D., director of the Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Center in Manhattan Beach, Calif. “There’s no deforming effect on the foot because they’re not constrictive. It’s as close to barefoot as you can be.”

The solution: Try sandals such as Teva (left), which are good walking shoes because they’re supportive and adjustable so they won’t slip around (and come in some cute styles!). For dressier sandals, look for those with arch support, such as Dansko. To avoid blisters, choose soft leather—especially with gladiator styles—and make sure there’s no heel hangover and a thumb’s width of space between your longest toe and the front of the shoe.

Platforms and Wedges

Among high heels, the platform or wedge shape is preferable to slinky stiletto heels when it comes to comfort. “The wedge distributes your weight more evenly over the whole foot,” says Dr. Haddad. “And platforms have a more gradual taper from the heel to the forefoot, which is less stressful than a sharp angle.” You’re at risk for ankle injuries when wearing platforms, though, especially those that are more than three inches tall. Like your favorite stilettos, they’re best for special occasions or limited walking.

The solution: For comfort, choose cork wedges, which offer more cushioning, and wide straps that can be fastened securely so your foot doesn’t slide around. Espadrilles are another option; look for arch support and tie them firmly around your ankle.

Ballet Flats

After a long winter of boots, ballet flats seem heavenly. But they can feel like hell if you're not careful. “If you transition too rapidly from a shoe or boot with a heel to flats, you may stretch tight calf and hamstring muscles too rapidly,” says Dr. Archer. “That can contribute to arch and heel pain.”

The solution: Pad the arch and heel of your favorite flats with an insert like Foot Petals pads. Stretch the Achilles tendons and back of the leg muscles daily (a runner’s stretch is ideal). Even with the added support, it's still best to limit walking on hard surfaces or for long distances in these shoes.

Sneakers

Many fashion sneakers have flimsy soles, which make them okay for occasional wear but not for every day or athletics. “They don’t have the support or the features needed for lots of walking or sports,” says Dr. Frey. “If you do anything more than three times a week, you need a shoe designed specifically for that activity.”

The solution: When it comes to athletic shoes, you generally get what you pay for. Cheap sneakers may feel okay the first month, but the insoles wear out quickly, which can cause heel pain. What’s the best kind? “Everyone’s foot is shaped differently, so get fitted at a specialty store to find the brand and style that fits you best,” says Dr. Haddad.

MY THOUGHTS

i love sandals.unfortunately i can't wear them often.  especially during summer. i have overactive  sweat glands. so,i go for sneakers and ballet flats.

SHOES THAT SHAPE YOUR LEGS?

From Dr Scholl's to FitFlops: Which Toning Shoes Work?

Our expert weighs in on four decades' worth of shoes that claim to shape your legs (8 Photos)

Melissa F. Pheterson on Aug 2, 2010 at 3:24PM

1968: Dr. Scholl's Exercise Sandals

Perhaps the original toning shoes, the iconic Dr. Scholl's style remains popular four decades after it was introduced. Sculpted from a block of wood, the exercise sandal has a raised toe crest to promote a gripping action that claimed to help shape legs.  "The toe grip is a classic foot-therapy exercise, like picking up marbles or scrunching a towel with your toes,” says Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D., the chief science officer for the American Council on Exercise (ACE).  "But the raised toe crest will not shape legs. It will change your gait, but it’s anyone’s guess which muscles will respond to that, and how.

1970: Earth Footwear

All the rage among flower children, this line of “negative heel technology” claimed to position the body in natural, vertical alignment by making the heel lower than the toe so wearers strode from the back of the leg. "Having your heel hit the ground first could change how leg muscles are activated," agrees Bryant. Still, he's skeptical that will result in significant changes. "The user might notice a different way of moving, but she will 'habituate' to the difference--in other words, grow accustomed after the novelty fades. So the shoe won’t have as pronounced an effect over the long run."

1996: MBT

It stands for “Masai Barefoot Technology” and was sold as the Anti-Shoe, designed to mimic the walking techniques of the Masai tribe in Africa. Its promise to tone legs rests upon a distinctive "rocker bottom," creating instability--similar to running on unpaved ground--that engages the lower leg muscles, from ankles to calves. But its bulk also theoretically cushions the spine from repetitive stress upon a hard surface. "The rocker bottom does cushion the foot and improve balance, but recent studies from ACE show no difference in the muscle activity of calves, quads, hamstrings or glutes between MBT shoes and regular running shoes," says Bryant. "The amount of calories burned didn’t change, either."

2008: Skechers Shape-Ups

"Get in shape without setting foot in a gym," proclaimed the advertisements. Similar to MBT, the Shape-ups’ rounded soles claim to rock your foot forward, like a wobble board in the gym, to challenge your leg muscles and burn calories while improving posture. "It’s without question a less stable surface, and again a balance challenge," says Bryant. "But as with others, the body adapts to any change in motion or muscle effort, so these won’t burn any more calories than would normal running shoes."

2008: FitFlops

Even Oprah couldn't get enough of these fat-attacking flip-flops. The company credits an unstable "wobble" board in the sole that recruits stabilizing muscles to tone the calves, blast butt jiggle, increase circulation and enhance posture. But "after the body adjusts, the wobble seems pretty minimal," says Bryant. Plus, flip-flops can cause toe-gripping when worn excessively; save them for the pool or beach.

2009: Reebok EasyTone

This shoe uses built-in "balance pods" (plus Reebok’s DMX cushioning technology) to create an air pocket between the toe and heel that mimics the sensation of walking on sand, de-stabilizing the base of the sneaker to activate and firm up hamstrings, glutes and calves. EasyTone is among Reebok’s best-selling shoes, and the company cites studies that show increased muscle use among wearers. "It’s the same wobble board concept," says Bryant, who believes a standard running shoe would serve just as well. Still, he adds: "If people find the shoe comfortable, they’re more likely to walk further and more often than they would otherwise, which is always a good thing."

2010: Chaco’s BioCentric

These sandals tout an "aggressive arch support" to correct our tendency to over-pronate, or roll our feet inward to the point of placing stress on the muscles and tendons, radiating tension through the body from the shin to the neck. Chaco’s sculpted heel cup also claims to alter the foot’s shock absorption site to reduce impact and injury. These are fine features, but Bryant says they're not necessary for everyone. "Not all feet need aggressive arch support," he says. (Consult a podiatrist to see which arch support is best for you.) "And not all activity is high-impact enough to warrant extra shock absorption. Walking, for example, is pretty low-impact." Ultimately, if any toning shoe encourage wearers to exercise more, that extra effort will do more to tone legs than any fancy feature of the shoe.

MY THOUGHTS

whatever type of shoes you have, if you want to keep moving, you will.  it's saying you can't exercise because you can't go to the gym. 

LIBERTY X NIKE FOR WOMEN

Liberty x Nike Women Sportswear Shoes 2011
from becomegorgeous.com

The most fabulous collaborations of the year will provide us with mesmerizing shoe collections as the Liberty x Nike Women Sportswear trainers. Those who are fond of the sporty chic designs of Nike as well as the colorful and signature prints of Liberty of London will have this mash up of design and colorful patterns to add a pop of color to their summer outfits.

In spite of being in love with high heels it is also important to take a peek at the comfy sports shoe collections perfect to complement our casual and urban sportswear outfits. Those who are eager to keep an eye on the most prominent brands that launch their brand new line for the hot season will be simply thrilled when spotting the Liberty for Nike Women Sportswear shoes 2011 as yet another fabulous example of the visionary collaboration of the London-based department store Liberty and the hyper-popular sportswear label Nike.

In order to make these shoes even more feminine and trend-appropriate designers decided to keep the floral patterns and prints. The capsule contains the most stylish sports shoes designs from the Nike Blazer Mid to the Dunk High as well as the Nike Air Force 1 Low. Those who are eager to skim through the preview of this fabulous collection will have the chance to do it here and now.

The Liberty of London fashion house is here to enchant us with the most stylish floral prints oh-so-popular also on the runway.
The greatest designers are keen to embed this pattern into their style fantasy in order to make outfits even more feminine and cheerful. Therefore if you're a fan of the blooming and alternative color palette as well as the versatile looks make sure you update your shoe collection with these stylish designs. Choose the best style that suits your lifestyle and body shape from the Dunk High to the Air Force 2 low all these shoes will grant you with a comfy and stylish fashion experience.

Nike is eager to surprise sportswear fans with a complex and eye-popping collection of shoes.The series of collaborations with Liberty of London proved to be one of the most successful projects the company ever had with another brand. Check out these cute designs and see the sophisticated detailing as well as the professionally inspired print and color selection.

The collection will be launched during Spring 2011. Keep an eye on the upcoming details of the Liberty x Nike Sportswear Women 2011 capsule collection that contains all the must have shoe designs worth of hitting the road with. As the complete collection is revealed it would be much easier to spot your dream designs and wear it all throughout the hot months paired with your cute skinnies or stylish summer dresses

MY THOUGHT

there you go ladies!  another pair of beautiful shoes you can get hold of.  even you don't have it yet. i don't. but i'm not likely to get one coz i don't need one.

WILL YOU WEAR MISMATCHED SHOES?

Helena Bonham Carter Explains Her Mismatched Golden Globes Shoes
Written by Alicia on Jan-27-11 10:53am

Oscar nominee Helena Bonham Carter made Vanity Fair's Best Dressed list last year, much to the surprise of, well, everyone—including her.

Say what you will about her fashion choices, but Carter's an original through and through. She explained her sartorial approach to People, saying, "Sometimes I get it right and sometimes I get it wrong, but fashion is all about having fun. I think fashion has been hijacked by the fashion industry creating rules on what one should wear and I feel like breaking the mold and seeing that the world won't crumble."

Which is why Carter decided to wear different colored shoes on the Golden Globes red carpet: "Why not wear mismatching shoes? Who says we can't? I was just having fun."

MY THOUGHTS

click on the title to see the photo.  would you dare?

Korean firm opens $25m shoe factory in Karawang

Korean firm opens $25m shoe factory in Karawang
Rangga D. Fadillah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 01/27/2011 11:48 AM | Business

South Korean shoemaker Chang Shin has commenced the operation of the company’s newly-built factory in Karawang, West Java.

Ansari Bukhari, the secretary general of the Industry Ministry said the Korean company had invested up to US$25 million in the Karawang factory, which has 8 production lines.

“All shoes produced at the factory would be exported,” Ansari told reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of the new production plant on Tuesday.

“The factory employs around 5,000 workers, and that number could increase to about 15,000 when it begins full operation,” he said as quoted by detik.com.

He said that Chang Shin’s investment marked the success of the government in improving Indonesia’s investment climate. Currently, 388 footwear companies operate in the country, employing a total of 454,359 workers, he added.

According to the ministry’s data, in 2010 the value of Indonesia’s footwear production reached $3.27 billion, utilizing only around 67 percent of the available production capacity. The country also recorded a total export value of $2.13 billion last year from only $1.72 billion in 2009.

“In 2010, Indonesia’s shoe products had successfully gained 3.99 percent of market share in the global market,” Ansari said.

The Indonesian Footwear Association (Aprisindo) said in earlier reports that, given recent convincing global and domestic investment trends, it expected that by the end of 2011 Indonesia could attract at least 20 major footwear companies to relocate their factories to Indonesia.

Footwear industry stakeholders are also upbeat that Indonesia will potentially overtake Vietnam and become the second-largest footwear exporter in the world after China in two years.

Prior to Chang Shin, two giant Korean companies, steel producer Pohang Steel and Iron Corporation (Posco) and tire maker Hankook, had officially announced their plans to pour capital into the country with a total investment of more than $7 billion in several years to come.

Last year, Korea was the ninth largest investor in the country with a total investment of $328 million, Investment Coordinating Board’s (BKPM) data says.

MY THOUGHTS

that's a lot of shoes. and a lot of investments.  i hope something like that happens here.