New Balance Pays Fat Settlement In Toning Shoes

People who didn't get that tight butt they were promised from New Balance's "toning" shoes are now at least getting a check.

On Aug. 20, a Massachusetts judge agreed to let New Balance pay $2.3 million to settle false advertising claims filed against the company by three women in 2011. The women, Kimberly Carey, Victoria Molinarolo and Shannon Dilbeck will get up to $5,000 each, according to court documents. Others who join the class action will receive a $100 refund for each pair of toning shoes they purchased.

New Balance's shoes, which originally retailed for around $100, were introduced in 2010 and advertised as stylish toning shoes that looked like regular sneakers. New Balance claimed its TrueBalance and Rock&Tone lines "activated" certain lower body muscles with soles that made it hard to stay balanced, as if the wearer was running on sand, according to the original class-action complaint. In ads, New Balance called its shoes a "hidden beauty secret," promising that they helped the wearer burn 8 percent more calories than regular sneakers.

In their complaint,,air jordan cheap shoes for sale at online jordan store. filed in Massachusetts, where New Balance is headquartered, the plaintiffs called the company's advertising deceptive. "Wearing the Toning Shoes provides no additional activation to the gluteus, hamstring or calf muscles, and does not burn any additional calories,women's high dunk high sneakers with patent." lawyers wrote. "Moreover, scientists are concerned that wearing the Toning Shoes may lead to injury, a fact which New Balance deceptively omits from its advertising."

While all the talk of simulating balancing on sand was shaky to begin with, thousands of people bought into the marketing over the past few years -- the toning shoe industry sold $252 million worth of shoes in the first four months of 2010, up from $17 million in 2008, according to the complaint. At the height of the toning shoe craze, a FitFlop pair was spotted on actress Julianne Moore, and Skechers hired Kim Kardashian to push its Shape-ups.

Both Skechers and Reebok have recently been ordered by the Federal Trade Commission to pay settlements to duped consumers. In May of this year, Skechers agreed to pay $40 million in consumer refunds; in September of 2011, Reebok agreed to pay $25 million over its EasyTone shoes. Those companies can no longer claim that science backs up their shoes' weight loss claims without hard evidence.

New Balance has not faced Federal Trade Commission sanctions so far, though the class-action settlement also prevents the company from claiming its shoes do anything to promote health without proof from clinical studies.

Fake Primark store in Dubai rattles UK retailer

Knock-off Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton are usually the most common counterfeit luxury brands found in numerous bazaars across the UAE, but one of the biggest budget retailer names from Europe is now to be seen in Dubai.

A fake Primark store opened this week in Bur Dubai on Bank Street, selling goods under the Primark label and masquerading as the budget brand from the United Kingdom.

The new store has two floors and is packed with clothing that looks like Primark's signature cheap T-shirts, socks and a underwear.

Primark denied opening a store in the UAE and sent a statement to The National explaining it was seeking legal action against the company running the fake store.

"We are aware that there is a store in Dubai that purports to be part of our group," the UK retailer said. "Primark does not operate any stores there and this is not, therefore, a legitimate Primark store. The company is considering its legal options as a matter of urgency."

The people behind the fake store could not be reached for comment, but staff at the store confirmed the clothing on sale and the look of the brand had both been modelled on the budget retailer from the UK.

After the store opened on Monday, shoppers began to excitedly talk about the brand on fashion blogs and Twitter.

"Primark is opening in Dubai!!! Yay, hope its as inexpensive as England lol," said one Twitter user.

"BREAKING NEWS: just found out Primani a.k.a #Primark has opened in Dubai!!! #Fashion #UAE," wrote another user.

Primark is one of the biggest retailers in Europe and has a total of 235 stores in the UK, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and Belgium.

The brand sells a wide variety of fashion for ladies, men and children, as well as home products such as duvets and bedding.

Primark is part of Associated British Foods, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, and yesterday announced a 3 per cent increase in profits for the first half of the year due to a strong performance by Primark.

The brand achieved a 15 per cent increase in sales as hard-hit consumers have turned to discount fashion stores in the wake of harsh austerity measures imposed by governments across Europe.

International shoe designer Guy West speaks about Jeffery West’s 25 anniversary

“WE have tried to be different,” says international designer Guy West of his footwear brand Jeffery West, reflecting on its milestone anniversary.

It is now 25 years since shoemakers and childhood friends Mark Jeffery and Guy West began what has turned into an iconic British footwear brand, donned by celebrities across the globe, including Mickey Rourke, Nick Cave, David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand to name but a few.

In other interesting recent projects the classic with a twist brand, has also been involved in designing shoes for the staff of Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck restaurant and designing shoes for bands like the Rival Sons.

But it all started from humble beginnings and a childhood friendship.

“We were childhood friends we met through our parents. Guy’s parents ran the Sywell Airport Motel and my parents went there for meals, so we have grown up from the age of 10 knowing each other,” said Mark, now aged 47, who grew up in Earls Barton.

“My father owned a shoe factory there, TC Partridge.

“When we started off we were getting rejects from my father’s factory and reviving end of the line shoes to sell on the market.

“Guy was working for a local footwear importer and we were selling onto the market and customising it a little bit.

“So that took off a bit and my father’s business closed in 1986, a year later, and we started Jeffery West.

“We were 21 and 22 at the time so we didn’t have enough money to open our own factory, so we used the spare capacity of other factories.

“The Northampton factories have always been more traditional in design and we wanted to do something different...we were in our early 20s and the city Oxford just wasn’t what we wanted to do.

“Our designs have always been fashionable but still using the traditional technique of the local industry.”

Although there is an element of the traditional in the shoes, it is clear as we are shown around the stock at Jeffery West in Northampton, that it has very much its own style, with subtle details, stamps and cuts making them stand out. Much of this is down to designer Guy, now aged 46, who heads up the creative side of the business.

“There’s quite a lot of Victorian influence and that sort of Edwardian steam pump look in our collection. They feel quite fashionable but in a traditional way.

“It is very elegant, an almost bespoke antique look.

“We have shoes which have the St John’s Cross Medal on them or we use a lot of different punctures and different shines. Like having skulls punched into the leathers.

“Then we have the famously pointed toe...it’s the details that make us stand out.

“But you can still see a lot of the traditional Northamptonshire footwear in our designs and I spend a lot of time in the Northampton Museum’s archives for research.

“In 25 years a lot of music from when we were growing up has found its way into the names and designs of shoes.

“We saw a lot of changes in music from the end of punk and disco to mod revival amongst others.

“The majority of our shoes will run for 10 years maybe more. The best seller is Moon named after Keith Moon.”

The brand has spread across the country and now the globe; it has stores in London, Leeds, Northampton and now in Taipei, as well as being stocked in numerous boutiques.

But its roots still come back to Northampton, where around 65 per cent of its shoes are manufactured and the brand remains involved in the local community.

“We have always tried to support the local industry as much as we can and we have been influenced by local history, “ said Guy.

Clay Court notes: Sweeting takes dive after victory

Making a splash

Ryan Sweeting made a flying leap into the River Oaks pool after Sunday's victory, soaking a number of the camera-ready onlookers with a perfect cannonball.

This champions "tradition" goes back only to 2008, when the ATP returned to River Oaks after a quarter-century hiatus. Apparently one of the Tour trainers convinced doubles champions Ernest Gulbis and Rainer Schuettler they had to take the plunge because all the winners had done it at River Oaks for decades.

Not knowing any better, they jumped in, and so did singles champion Marcel Granollers the next day. Now it's expected.

All that River Oaks officials ask is that the players take their clay-caked shoes off first.
Going forward

Only the 2012 tournament remains on River Oaks' five-year contract with the USTA to host the Clay Courts. Tournament director Van Barry admitted he has had no discussions yet with the governing body for American tennis, which owns the century-old competition, about extending the relationship, saying talks don't need to begin before next spring. But Barry said he fully expects the relationship to continue.

River Oaks was affiliated with the ATP from the early 1970s through 1983, then continued hosting an independent exhibition tournament through 2007, when Westside Tennis and Fitness decided to give up the Clay Courts after a seven-year run.

Hoping the keep it in Houston — it's Texas' only major tournament for men or women - despite strong interest from at least three other cities, the USTA entered into talks with River Oaks and the deal got done by early May. Originally, it was for one year with a four-year option to follow if both parties were pleased with how the 2008 tournament went. They were, and they remain so, according to Barry.

"It's been a great partnership," he said.
Across the pond

The European clay court season kicks off in Monte Carlo this week. American tennis will be represented there only by the Clay Courts champions Bryans, Bob and Mike, in doubles.

Eight tournaments on clay follow leading into the French Open, the season's second major, at the end of May. The Bryans won the first of their 10 doubles majors there in 2003, but they've been shut out since.
By the numbers

2 Americans given wild cards who have gone on to win the tournament: Sweeting and Mardy Fishin 2006.

4 Americans to have won the clay courts title since it moved to Houston in 2001.

Protect your feet: Best road bike shoes for men

All road bike shoes are not created equal. Depending on what you're looking for, they can range from the fairly simple (and therefore less expensive) to the most technologically advanced, and it all depends on what you're willing to invest.

If you're a beginner or more casual cyclist, you don't really need to go high-end necessarily. If, however, you spend time on your bike pretty much every day, the shoe you buy ends up being incredibly important.

Like the shoes themselves, not all manufacturers are created equal.

Sidi
The best-selling and most popular bike shoe on the planet, the Sidi Genius 5 leads the pack. You should be able to get last year's model for under $150, especially if you shop online, but if you want the latest and greatest, expect to pay upwards of $250 for a pair. The Genius 5 features water-repellent Lorica, which also allows for a more breathable shoe.

The company also makes the high-end Ergo 2, which they claim is the most technologically-advanced shoe on the market. It retails for upwards of $450.

Shimano
One of the reviewers for the LiveStrong Foundation endorsed this year's Shimano SH-R132 road bike shoe, which retails online starting at around $120, although it's easy to find sites that charge upwards of $150 for the same model. The shoe apparently is a heavyweight, though, so only the hardcore cyclist will want to jump for this one.

Dromarti
The folks at Bicycling magazine are big fans of this company's Eroica Nero model, which is due to make its debut for 2011 this month. A simple aesthetic and adjustable fit are hallmarks of this shoe, which is made of old-fashioned leather to boot.

Dromarti set a starting price of $210 for this shoe, but you may be able to find them for less if you shop around.

Pearl iZumi
Customers at Best Bike Apparel are in love with this company's Men's Select Road Road Cycling Shoe, which retails starting at around $80 pretty reliably. People seem to enjoy the look of this shoe a great deal, with its white and silver motif, and many informal reviews mention the shoe's comfort right out of the box.

Good for the casual to moderate cyclist.

Specialized
The S-Works Road Shoe seems to have gotten high marks from just about everybody who has reviewed the 2011 redesign. Definitely a high-end shoe, these retail anywhere from $300 to $350 and sometimes more. The shoes feature two dials that allow you to adjust fit at both the arch and the ankle, and are made of Micromatrix on top and carbon fiber on the bottom.

Specialized claims that this is the lightest shoe on the market.

Prom Project gives away dresses, tuxes to Tehama County students

As she swung the girls' bathroom door open, Kassie Fuchs, 16, emerged wearing a long prom dress with overlapping shades of purple to show her mother and younger brother. Then her sister, Jade Milligan, 18, came out in a halter black dress with vertical silver beading on the chest. They twirled around, made sure everything snapped in place or tied together.

Both sisters tried on several dresses, but the search for the perfect attire for Red Bluff High School's senior prom proved to be worth it after they made their final decisions.

This week, many girls and the occasional boy found everything they needed for prom from the new or gently used dress and matching shoes to the tuxedo and tie at the Tehama County Department of Education on Lincoln Street in Red Bluff. Prom Project has accepted donations and given dresses and other necessities free of charge to students at Red Bluff, Los Molinos and Corning high schools for five years.

"In Tehama County, we really lack resources that our kids should have access to," said Jo Kee, the foster and homeless youth coordinator for the county Department of Education. "When I moved up here, I found a need since so many kids don't get to experience the prom. We wanted to create an atmosphere and a place where they feel comfortable and beautiful on just one special night at their school."

Since its inception, Fuchs and Milligan have found formal dresses for events starting with their eighth-grade graduation. With their father away as a military recruiter and their mother staying at home, they said Prom Project has definitely lifted the financial burden prom may bring to many families like theirs across the country.

"It means a lot because prom dresses are a few hundred bucks and that's a lot for my family," Fuchs said. "On top of getting my hair done and the price of the ticket itself."

During its five-year existence, Prom Project has given away more than 500 dresses with donations soaring to the point the organizers are looking into a larger storage outlet. They gave every girl a box of Bumpits after a donation overload of the hairstyle aid this year. But as the inventory disappears, more is needed. Along with dresses and suits, other items include men's and women's shoes, jewelry, makeup samples, handbags, corsages and boutonnieres.

"I think it's really cool they're giving dresses and tuxes for guys," Milligan said. "It helped out last year when I had to go to a formal." She and her sister plan to donate their gowns back to Prom Project, she added.

After starting a similar program at a Chico teen center in 2001, Kee decided to create another program after arriving at the education department.

"Prom is an easy 500 bucks. I just wanted kids to have one less barrier to go to prom," Kee said. "If a girl needs a dress, we won't turn them away. I had a girl looking for a quinceañera dress. We have girls who need graduation dresses, so it's whoever needs a dress."

Students who participated in the five-minute discussion in the Prevention Lounge on avoiding risk factors associated with prom such as sex, drugs and alcohol, also entered a raffle to win a tuxedo rental, manicure, salon appointment and other prom delights.

After this week, the education department will take the boutique on the road to Los Molinos High School and Corning High School.

As of early Tuesday night, students already walked away with 54 dresses and seven tuxedos.

Men invited to Walk a Mile in women's shoes

In an effort to further involve men in bringing awareness to violence against women, Sexual Assault Support Service for Women of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and Akwesasne is inviting men to walk a mile in a woman's shoes. Literally.

On Sunday, May 15, at noon, men will be stepping into high heels in order to participate in Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, an international men's march to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence, which will be held in support of SASS.

"It's never been done before in Cornwall," explains Lisa Montroy, special events co-ordinator with SASS.

"It's been done in other communities, in the United States and in Canada," communities such as Toronto, Edmonton and Halifax.

"There's sort of a new paradigm shift about the fight in violence against women, that men should be involved and want to be involved," says Montroy. "In the past, it's been a women's issue, and a women's cause."

Montroy says SASS used to hold Take Back the Night, an internationally held march and rally intended to protest and direct action against rape and sexual violence.

Want to tell us what you think. Then send a letter to the editor or post a comment on this article on our website: "But we got a lot of criticism from the community because we didn't involve men," explains Montroy. "We were really conscious of the fact there were men out there who really wanted to support it and didn't have an opportunity. There really wasn't any other event men could take part in."

So when Montroy heard about the Walk A Mile in Her Shoes event, she thought this idea was "brilliant."

"This is really a chance for men to step up and say we want to be a part of the solution," she says. "We wanted to speak to the criticism that men aren't involved."

Montroy says SASS will be partnering with Kinsmen Club of Cornwall for the event.

"They're absolutely on board," she says. "They're giving us money to buy all of the shoes."

Shoes for the walk will be provided. Montroy estimates the actual walk will be less than a kilometre.

Currently, Montroy says about eight men are registered, but hopes 40 will sign up for the walk.

"We'll have a couple of police officers come out in full uniform," she says. "It's not a drag show. Men will be wearing regular clothes. We don't want any group of people to feel demeaned by this."

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes will begin at around noon at the Lamoureux Park clock tower on Water Street. A barbecue will also be held to raise funds for SASS. The entire event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"We plan to make this an annual event," says Montroy. "This could be a really large community event. It's a good, fun, positive experience and event. And, it's a lot of fun."

Men may register for this event as individuals, or as part of the team. Pledge forms are available, and participants are encouraged to set personal fundraising goals.

Step right up for ugly shoes

This spring, putting fashion's best foot forward could get ugly. The meta-trend of inexplicably hideous shoes continues apace with the introduction of Prada Creepers, $795 (U.S.) men's-style brogues set atop several layers of multicoloured soles, one of which is raffia, like an espadrille. The fashion press is calling them "flatforms." I call them educated-clown chic. On vacation.

These shoes are so coveted, though, that there are waiting lists for them at Prada stores across North America. For those who can't get their hands on them (or afford the hefty price tag), there's no need to worry. Knockoffs abound.

But who would want these?

Leandra Medine of the popular satiric fashion blog ManRepeller.com is one enthusiast who has already ordered a pair. "The Prada flatforms are a great example of the manipulative power that designers have over the industry and the consumer," Medine says. She stresses, though, that she does not consider Creepers ugly.

"Fashion to me is more about wearing art and it so happens that intriguing and [many] complex shoe styles are considered conventionally ugly." To Medine, wearing supposedly unattractive shoes sends a strong message. "They say, 'I wear what I want.' " And that is the message fashion is supposed to send."

Ken Thomas, an economist and the hobby blogger behind UglyShoes.com, agrees that such footwear can also be fashionable.

"What is the purpose of fashion?" he asks. "It's to attract attention. Lots of the shoes we feature as being 'ugly' are very unique. You may not like them but they are attention-getters." The only negative feedback he gets, Thomas says, is from readers who disagree when he deems a shoe they like ugly. "Ugly is in the eye of the beholder," he laughs.

But it isn't just high-end, high-cost shoes that challenge our notions of taste and aesthetics. At first, Uggs looked odd; Crocs did, too. Both, however, have become mainstream hits. Even Birkenstocks, considered the height (or depth) of Deadhead schlubbiness, circled back from their uncool past to hit runways in recent years.

My own arguably ugly shoe purchases for spring include clogs from Sweden and Warishofers, best described as orthopedic granny sandals, from Germany. Neither pair would win pretty points in a pageant. But I love them for their comfort and, yes, their fashionability.

In truth, the only really ugly shoes are shoes that are irrelevant, like your white workout sneakers or the wacky statement shoe that references or appeals to nothing.

Picking the "ugly shoe" of the season is participating in the fashion game. Wearing them says you've embraced an alternative to gravity-defying high heels, to jacking your foot, heel and posterior, as flattering as that may be.

Of course, Uggs are notoriously bad for feet and some clogs are as high as stilettos, but they are the exception. With many ugly shoes, the comfort factor may be the most stylish thing about them.

Where to buy running gear in the Alton, Illinois area

As the weather begins to warm up, more individuals will be looking to purchase good running gear. This article will explain where to go in the Alton, Ill., area to purchase these items.

Alton is located northeast of St. Louis, Mo.

First to the Finish
This running store is located in Carlinville, Ill. You can order over the internet, by phone or by visiting the store. You can even find them on Facebook.

They carry many brands of shoes, spikes, sweats, tents, watches and other track supplies. Mike Viano founded the store about 20 years ago. Viano and his family have a strong background in competitive running. They can ship most orders within 24 to 48 hours.

Finish Line
This store is located at the Alton Square Mall. They specialize in three areas of shoes (men's, women's, children). They also carry different brands of running clothes and accessories. They carry everything from sunglasses to sandals.

They are located on the first level and are open from 10 a.m, to 9 p.m., Sundays noon to 6 p.m. Their phone number is 618-465-9630.

You can order on line and they now except PayPal. You can purchase gift cards up to $250.

Nike Factory Store
Located at the Mills Mall in Hazelwood, Mo., this store offers a unique experience. Besides running shoes, they carry all sorts of sports gear. They are located in suite 318, near entry 3. Their phone number is 314-227-5575.

It is the family headquarters for the value customer. Most products here are from past seasons and are offered at discount prices.

Reebok Outlet
This outlet is also located at the Mills Mall. It is in suite 158, near Cabela's. You can save up to 65 percent on some items including shoes. they have accessories for the entire family.

The Mills is located just across the Mississippi river from Alton.

Blacks Sporting Goods
Blacks is located at 2729 Govelin Street in Alton. They are located just off the Belt-line Highway.  This is a small sporting goods store. You can order your running gear through them. They do a lot of work by catalog.

On a personal note, I have done business with them for years and have found them to be very reliable.

These are five running gear stores that I would recommend to anyone.

Man distracts clerk, steals $210 from hotel money drawer

A man's car was broken into in the 4100 block of Union Square Boulevard. The man's wallet, which was left in the center console, was taken. The man told police he could not remember if he had locked his car . After examining the vehicle, police could not determine a point of entry or any visible damage. Because the car was in such poor condition the officer did not process the vehicle for evidence.

DRUGS

A man and woman were found sleeping in a vehicle in the 1500 block of 15th Court. When the officer arrived he discovered the car running and the two occupants still asleep. Upon knocking on the window and rousing the pair, the woman, who was the driver, seemed confused as to why the officer was present. She said she was there to meet her surfing instructor. After requesting the pair step out of the vehicle the officer noticed two pills on the driver's seat. Also found were a bag containing a glass pipe with marijuana residue, rolling papers, six pieces of aluminum foil, 31 small zippered plastic bags and four razor blades. The woman also had more than $1,500 in cash on her. The woman was charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

Jupiter Police

THEFT

A man stole $210 from a hotel in the 6700 block of Indiantown. The man walked into the hotel's lobby and asked the cashier for some towels. The woman, thinking the man was a guest, walked away to get the towels. While she was gone, the man went behind the counter and removed $210 from the unlocked cash drawer.

An airless paint sprayer and equipment worth $3,300 were stolen from a church in the 400 block of Center Street. The equipment was taken from a storage room .

A woman entered a store in the 75 block of East Indiantown Road and stole two pairs of men's Nike tennis shoes. The woman walked in, grabbed the shoes and ran out of the store. She jumped into a waiting vehicle, which sped off. The shoes were valued at $400.

VEHICLE BURGLARY

A GPS and $25 in cash were stolen from an unlocked vehicle in the 100 block of Ocean Cove Drive. The GPS was valued at $495.

The owner of a truck in the 700 block of South U.S. 1 said someone stole two stocked toolboxes from the bed of his truck overnight. The man estimated the total value at $450.

BATTERY

Police arrested a woman for simple battery after she dumped a pot of water on and threw a plate at her roommate. The woman had taken her roommate's blanket and he was trying to retrieve it when she became agitated . When police arrived the woman would not obey the officer's commands and kept interrupting officers as they tried to interview the roommate.

North Palm Beach Police

TRESPASSING

A property manager called police after finding a man on his property in the 300 block of Golfview Road. The police told the man, who said he was a private investigator, to leave and warned him against trespassing.

THEFT

Several potted plants and a door decoration were stolen from a residence in the 100 block of Paradise Harbour Boulevard. Though the homeowners called police, they declined to file a report once officers arrived.

ANIMAL PROBLEM

Four chocolate Labs chased a woman and her two small dogs home in the 700 block of Hummingbird Way. The woman said this has been an ongoing problem. She didn't know if the animals were still loose, but asked police to contact the dogs' owner. The police advised the owner against letting his dogs roam the neighborhood.

Sheriff's Office

VEHICLE BURGLARY

A thief smashed a window of a vehicle parked in 11511 block of Ellison Wilson Road in North Palm Beach, and grabbed a beach bag that was on the back seat. Among items in the bag were an iPod Touch and a college textbook.

A woman left her vehicle for service at a business in the 3700 block of Northlake Boulevard in Lake Park. Her laptop computer was in the trunk. After she picked up the vehicle and drove home, she realized the $600 computer was gone.

HOME BURGLARY

A Briggs & Stratton portable generator was taken from the garage of a home in the 1600 block of Boxwood Road in North Palm Beach. The homeowner said she left the key in the lock of the door.

A resident in the 4700 block of Square Lake Drive in Palm Beach Gardens left keys in a rear door to his home. A burglar used the keys to unlock the door, and steal a DVD player, a Direct TV DVR and a laptop computer.

BUSINESS BURGLARY

Someone removed screws from a door hinge at a storage facility in the 3600 block of West Blue Heron Boulevard in Riviera Beach. The intruder took a turkey rotisserie oven, computer and antique wood table.

An attempt was made to break into a business in the 15100 block of Park of Commerce Boulevard in Jupiter between 5 and 11 p.m. An employee came to work and found his truck parked in front of the building. The vehicle's ignition damaged. A hole was cut in one of the bay doors of the business. It appeared someone started the truck and moved it to the front of the building to cover the burglary attempt.

Who says comfy shoes can't be fashionable?

The only thing worse than unstylish shoes is uncomfortable shoes, a fact I learned while walking abroad once in footwear that pinched. After a whole day trekking in fashionable flats that somehow morphed into torture devices, I was hobbled to the point where I couldn't take another step. Looking around in desperation I spied, like an oasis in the desert, a Clarks store. The comfy-looking shoes in the shop window looked like a sure escape from pain, so I limped into the store. Minutes later I emerged with a spring in my step, my feet lovingly cushioned by black walking shoes that managed to be comfortable and stylish at the same time.

That's how I became a fan of Clarks, which Cinderella brought to the Philippines in 2007. Though Clarks shoes are a British institution that have been around for almost 200 years, these aren't your grandparents' shoes — not by a long shot.

"In the past Clarks has been associated with mature styling, but five years ago we started taking it in a younger direction," says Fong Wan Kwan, general manager of Clarks Southeast Asia. "We let the product speak for itself, so the shoes are the star."

Another misconception is that Clarks is just for men. That's far from the truth, though they do offer fantastic work, sports and dress shoes for men.

"It's actually a ladies' and men's brand," clarifies Richie Santos, group manager of Cinderella's imported division. "The strength of our sales right now is 60 percent ladies and 40 percent men, so we have a lot of new and fashionable styles for women."

Evidence that Clarks has indeed reinvented itself for the current generation was its recent spring/summer 2011 launch in Singapore, an ultra-stylish event that took place in Sentosa's exclusive One∞15 Marina Club. In addition to not one, but three fashion shows, Clarks offered Southeast Asian media a yacht cruise around the island, a reminder of Clarks' expertise in making boat shoes, and a perfect excuse to wear nautical, one of summer's top trends.

We also visited the top-performing stores in Ion Mall on Orchard Road and the Marina Bay Sands; here in the Philippines we have seven Clarks boutiques, the newest and biggest of which is the one in Mall of Asia.

At the stores and later, during the fashion shows, I was amazed at how far Clarks has come style-wise. Always on the lookout for that rare specimen — fashionable high heels with comfortable soles —I spotted quite a number of them in styles that are as forward as any designer Italian or French brand.

Here's a quick breakdown of Clarks' SS 11 lines to guide you:

Walk On Air

Collection: Active Air

What it's about: Comfort taken to a whole new level.

Innovative technology: Air Flow System, hundreds of tiny pockets in the insole that trap air, creating a cushion to absorb impact between the wearer and the ground beneath.

Made from three different densities of foam so it doesn't flatten with wear, the foot bed is also moisture-wicking and quick-drying to combat odor and keep germs and bacteria at bay.

Must-haves for women: The Faun Robe, a wedge pump that works equally well with business attire or shorts; or the Rhythmic Vibe, a flat sandal great for weekend wear.

Must-haves for men: Reflect Mocc driving shoes or the Movers Sun sandal, which Clarks claims is its "most comfortable sandal — ever."

Walk Further, Feel Fitter

Collection: Sports

What it's about: A range of performance footwear of which Clarks' boat shoes are best in class, earning the endorsement of elite, Olympic-level sailors.

Innovative technologies: Aquadx Water Drainage system for expelling water and preventing sliding; an Atsu Massage Footbed to stimulate the feet and improve circulation; and rock soles for slip-resistance.

Must-have for women: The Idyllic pump, a sports shoe inspired by the Pilates trend, not to mention it's so cute you'll want to use it as an everyday flat.

Must-haves for men: Rocco Fuse, the ultimate urban walking shoe with its oxford-meets-trainer looks; and Quay Port, an authentic tricolor boat shoe that functions just as well on a deck as it does on a beach or city sidewalk.

Work and Play Shoes

Collection: Look and Feel

What it's about: Clarks' most fashionable line covers all your wardrobe needs for work, play and parties.

Innovative technology: Softwear, specially engineered underfoot cushioning technology

Must-haves for women: Bodrum Market, a leather peep-toe pump; Scenic Way, an on-trend platform sandal; Arizona Sands, lightweight, super-soft metallic ballet flats; and Capricorn Moon, the perfect work shoe with its sleek-but-stable wedge style and ankle strap.

Must-have for men: Wingtip shoes are back, according to Santos, and Clarks has them in premium leathers with an Atsu massage foot bed to boot.

If "Helen and David" were the original muses Clarks had in mind when designing for its customers, today it's "Sam and Anne," a thoroughly modern young couple with small children, according to Evelyn Ladim, general manager of Clarks Philippines. "Clarks also has a children's line that will soon be available here."

"In Manila our partner Cinderella has done a fantastic job for the brand," notes Fong. "They have really gone with us in a shared direction and increasingly they're going to offer to the Philippine market the most up-to-date collections we have in London. It's a market that has great potential."

Clarks, which sells in 165 countries around the world, is the No. 1 shoe retailer in the UK and the fastest-growing brand in the Asia-Pacific. They sell about 45 million pairs worldwide each year with a turnover of about US$1.7 billion, making it the No. 1 casual shoe brand in the world.

Founded in 1825 by brothers Cyrus and James Clark in an English village called Street, Clarks started as a maker of sheepskin slippers. Since then they've shod customers in every conceivable style, from court shoes to sneakers, with the brand really taking off after it launched its Desert Boot in 1950, and again with its Wallabee in the '60s. You can still see these iconic shapes in many of Clarks' shoes today.

"We're happy our principals are reinventing the brand," says Santos. "Comfort shoes is where their strength is — that's the core of their business — but now we have a lot more fashionable shoe designs for men and women."

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Clarks stores are located on the second level South Wing, SM Mall of Asia; second level Midtown Wing, Robinsons Place Manila; third level The Block, SM City North Edsa; second level Bldg. A, SM Megamall; ground level Glorietta 3; ground level Greenhills Shopping Center; and ground level inside Cinderella in Alabang Town Center.

Allen Edmonds, the World's Largest Cobbler, Begins Recrafting Sale

Men just don't seem to want to give up their favorite well-worn shoes.  That may be why the women in their lives sneak into their closets once a year to clean them out.  This spring, there is a better solution for everyone, as long as his shoes are Allen Edmonds.

The U.S.-based shoe manufacturer announced its annual Recrafting? sale began March 14, and runs through April 3.  For only $89, Allen Edmonds will re-build your shoes using a 38-step process that includes replacing the sole and heel, attaching a new welt and applying fresh form-fitting heated cork, as well as refinishing the leather uppers to bring them back to like-new condition.  The uppers are even re-fit to the original last, ensuring the shoe feels just as comfortable after the Recrafting process.  In just a matter of weeks, the recrafted shoes are returned to their owners ready to easily pass the eye-test of wives and boardrooms.

"We actually reconstruct the majority of the shoe," said Colin Hall, Chief Marketing Officer of Allen Edmonds.  "Shoes sent to us are deconstructed and recrafted using the same superior materials and techniques used to make our new shoes."

Superior Quality and Value

Allen Edmonds is believed to be the world's largest cobbler, Recrafting over 60,000 pairs of Allen Edmonds shoes annually.  Based in Port Washington, Wis., the 300+ skilled American cobblers, some of whom are second and third generation employees, produce Goodyear welted shoes worn by businessmen, politicians, athletes and celebrities around the world.

"We bring men the styling, construction and service they've come to depend on," said Hall.  "With proper care, our customers wear Allen Edmonds shoes for many years.  With our Recrafting service, they can significantly extend the life of their favorite shoes for about one-third the cost of a new pair."

During the three-week sale, Allen Edmonds is discounting its Recrafting Standard Package by 10 percent.  The company does offer its Recrafting services year-round.  New this year, the company will begin to recraft its Italian collection.

Champion Michigan Gymnast Rises Far Above a Disadvantage

Chris Cameron is the defending N.C.A.A. all-around men's gymnastics champion, a member of the University of Michigan's defending N.C.A.A. championship team, and a rising star for the national squad.

His skill is even more remarkable given that he was born with hemihypertrophy, a congenital abnormality that causes one side of the body to grow faster than the other. At 12, Cameron had a growth plate removed from his fast-growing left leg to allow his right leg to catch up. The operation evened the length of his legs, but Cameron's muscles developed differently, wrapping themselves around bones that are nearly identical in length but unique in structure, size and bone density.

"The calf is probably where you see the biggest difference," said Cameron, 22, nonchalantly rolling up his pants to show the contrast between his limbs. Both legs bear the bruises and scabs that all gymnasts have, but the right one is noticeably slimmer than the left. Cameron estimates that there is about a 10-pound difference between them.

"I have to tighten my right shoe a lot more than the left, or wear two pairs of socks if I'm wearing dress shoes. Other than that, it's absolutely no hindrance at all," Cameron said.

In fact, Cameron's seeming imperfection gives him an edge in his signature events. On rings, he has less dead weight dangling below him as he twists and turns through his Maltese crosses and handstands. On pommel horse and floor, it's easier to keep his momentum going, and he can perform leg flares, a high-value move that adds difficulty points to his start values.

"If I get a little tired, where a lot of people would kind of drop down in their circle and get smaller and then they hit the pommel horse, I can keep going," he said. "Once I get my left leg up, the right leg kind of pops my whole body up, so it gives the flares a good look."

"Chris does some very aggressive and yet still stylish gymnastics," said Kevin Mazeika, the United States men's national team coordinator, who named Cameron to his squad in 2009. "It's fun to watch him."

Having different legs on one body, however, has disadvantages. Cameron has an uneven stride, which hurts him in vault, in which the gymnast needs a running start to launch himself onto the apparatus. He cannot point the toe on his right foot as well as he would like. And he endured teasing in middle school.

"He went through a period where he didn't want to wear shorts because he didn't want anyone to see," Cameron's mother, Suzanne Heckman, said. "But on a more personal level, he was better able to be at peace with who he was. Because of his success in gymnastics, he knew that being different wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It gave him a mental perseverance."

Today, Cameron can laugh at his asymmetry. His teammates call him Little Leg, and last Halloween, he dressed up as a peg-leg pirate, borrowing a cane from the team trainer and painting his skinny leg to make it look like wood. A daredevil, he surfs whenever he is home in Winter Haven, Fla., and he helped his teammate Thomas Kelley build a skateboarding halfpipe in the backyard of their shared house in Ann Arbor. While most gymnasts struggle to find the sweet spot between easy routines they can execute perfectly and more challenging moves that have a higher point value, Cameron always pushes for greater complexity.

"That's really the name of the game," Cameron said, "deciding how much risk to take, deciding whether or not the juice is worth the squeeze, so to speak. You can't fall behind the curve, difficulty-wise."

Cameron's high expectations have had an effect on his entire Michigan team. After losing eight all-Americans from the 2010 championship team, the Wolverines are rebuilding. Beset by injuries, they stumbled in their season opener against Penn State but rebounded against No. 2 Illinois and No. 12 California-Irvine. Michigan, currently ranked No. 6, came up short, 351.25-346.20, at home against No. 5 Stanford on Saturday in a rematch of last year's national championship, in which the Wolverines edged the Cardinal by 0.7 on the meet's final rotation. Cameron will play a major role in Michigan's drive for a another title.

"He's very good with the athletes when it's time to take the next step," Coach Kurt Golder said. "Sometimes, you're a little afraid as a gymnast to actually do the skill out of the pit, or just to do it, period. When he believes somebody can do something, he just tells them, ‘You can do this, and you're doing to do it.' "

Cameron also has a knack for figuring out easy fixes to other gymnasts' problems. He recently talked his teammate Ian Makowske into adding a Gaylord II, a twisting release move named for the Olympic gymnast Mitch Gaylord, to his high bar routine. Makowske, a walk-on for the Wolverines, nailed the routine Feb. 6 at the Winter Cup. His score, 15.350, was Makowske's best ever, and good for third place against the best talent in the nation.

"It adds a good five-tenths to my routine, which is huge, and it's kind of similar to a skill I do very, very well," said Makowske, who is also Cameron's roommate. "He's done so much with his own gymnastics that he knows how to help other people."

In addition to another N.C.A.A. title, Cameron wants one of the six spots on the 2012 Olympic team. At the world championships in the Netherlands in October, Cameron and Team USA were uneven. The team finished fourth, and Cameron fell on pommel horse, scoring 14.333, more than a point off his personal best. Pommel horse has traditionally been the Americans' worst event in international competition, and turning a perceived weakness into a strength is something Cameron knows how to do.

"It's a matter of adaptation," he said. "The rules of the sport are constantly changing, the skills are being updated and the level of gymnastics is advancing constantly. Everybody has to adapt to the changes of the sport. I just had to do it a little differently."

Men wearing Uggs - the history, the why and the why not?

Forever the preserve of ladyfolk, Ugg are now looking to corner the men's market with a more masculine take on the sheep skin shoes. Do you dare?

By Sinead Ryan

Ugg boots burst into our lives over 5 years ago and they aren't going anywhere soon. Made from sheep skin and lined with wool, they are designed to keep your feet warm in winter and cool in summer and were first marketed towards women with nothing better to spend their money on.

Available in a variety of styles, different colours and different finishes, there was a perfect pair for everyone. The worst pair I ever set my eyes on was in the U.S - silver and metallic, they resembled something that Neil Armstrong probably wore on his trip to the moon. I hoped that they wouldn't make it across the Atlantic but unfortunately for Irish eyes everywhere, they did. They have invaded our shores and wardrobes of Irish womenfolk alike.

The Ugg phenomenon is down to an Australian man by the name of Shane Stedman. A lifelong surfer living by the beach in Sydney, Stedman made the boots to keep his feet warm at the beach after leaving the water. The idea was brought to America by a young surfer by the name of Brian Smith and soon the boots were beginning to gain popularity.

Stedman sold the rights to an American company which turned the product into a $799 per-year enterprise. You're probably thinking that Stedman earned a fortune when he sold the rights. In actual fact, he sold the rights to the multi-million dollar enterprise for ￡10,000 and three pairs of Ugg boots every year for the rest of his life. Sounds like an easy man to keep happy.

Now however, Ugg have started to get their dirty hooves into Irish men. They are falling into the lovely, cosy and comfortable world of the Ugg or the Mugg (Male Uggs). It's not just ordinary guys who are being sucked in by the phenomenon, Hollywood stars such as Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck and Leonardo DiCaprio (above) have all been spotted wearing Ugg boots.

At first, you may think that Uggs on a man would be completely different to a woman. I mean, you couldn't go around wearing the same boots as your lady friend, could you? Yet, surprisingly, there are some styles that aren't that similar to the female boots available.

Wearable male uggs? They exist

Ugg has brought out styles of boots for men that are actually wearable fo men. The makers of Uggs realise that you don't want to look like you're heading out to get some milk in your girlfriend's boots. As such, they have expanded their range by keeping the important elements of the original Ugg boot and mixing them with hard-wearing, manly looking boots.

Schuh currently stock a small range of men's Uggs which include the original classic styles, slippers and leather boots.

So if you do decide to venture over to the dark side, I won't judge you for wearing Uggs, but beware of those non-believers.

Ugg lovers everywhere will have to accept that they will be in a minority group and they should be prepared for a backlash. They'll rip the absolute piss out of you for wearing them. So make sure you pick the pair that doesn't make you look like a girl. No pressure there then.