New Shoes in Town

A couple of generations back, children’s shoes were a big investment. Parents wanted their kids to have a sturdy, solid pair of shoes that would encourage healthy foot development and gait. They also wanted shoes that were of a neutral color and style so they would match all kinds of dresses, skirts or pants. In many cases, a child owned only one or two pairs of shoes at a time.

Nowadays, the choices in the shoe department are overwhelming; every color and style you can imagine can be had for a reasonable price so that even a family on a budget can have a full and colorful shoe rack at their front door. While choices are plentiful, they aren’t always high quality, and a new move toward well-made shoes is underway. But today’s kids won’t accept anything less than cutting edge style, so shoemakers have had to combine form with function in some innovative ways. The following companies are showing us that when it comes to quality footwear, there’s life beyond brown Oxfords: Joojos, Shupeas, SWYT Culture, and Shoemees.

Joojos Goes Toe-to-Toe with Fashion and Function

Joojos is one of those companies that seem destined to be the talk of trendy parents. While JooJos are stylish, their true appeal is the high-quality materials and excellent craftsmanship. JooJo’s founder Ama Karikari-Yawson set out to offer a line of children’s footwear that is serious about both form and function. The company’s mission statement reflects a lighthearted yet philosophical view of life and business, with a special focus on the magic of childhood.

In the studio, Ama works with a crew of creative, talented individuals who all contribute their unique perspectives to the design process. The result is a diverse line that includes fashions that can please a variety of tastes.

Fun colors abound, and precision stitching lends a classy look. Whatever the style, Joojos shoes are constructed to encourage a healthy gait, especially for new walkers who need the perfect balance of comfort and support. Most of the styles feature some form of ankle support and a light thermoplastic rubber sole designed to fit a child’s foot naturally.

Keep in step at www.joojos.com

Shupeas for the Foot That Grows Inch by Inch

When Galit Harari’s son Noah was an infant, it was difficult to find shoes that were the perfect fit. Many types of shoes seemed to fit too snugly on his chubby baby feet, and left elastic marks on his ankles. Galit found that she wasn’t the only one to run into these and other problems with baby shoes; other parents had similar complaints.

As a former sales executive in the luxury goods industry, Galit saw a demand for a better-fitting baby shoe that also addresses the common concern of having to buy expensive shoes every time the child’s feet grow. So, she developed Shupeas that offer parents a range of well-crafted, attractive baby shoes that can be adjusted to fit a child’s growing feet.

Shupeas shoes are made of soft, supple leather. The size-adjustable design allows the shoes to be “one size fits most’ from newborn to 24 months. Shupeas use a simple, moccasin-style design that’s podiatrist-approved for young walkers, with innovative hook-and-loop straps that won’t leave a mark on baby’s tender skin.

Check out what kind of fun is afoot at www.shupeas.com

SWYT Success is in Flats

SWYT Culture (pronounced “sweet”) is a line of footwear that utilizes modern materials and creative designs to offer a product that reflects customers’ personal style. Ballerina flats are the only kind of shoe SWYT makes, and the only one they need to, thanks to the style’s overwhelming popularity among kids and teens. Some brands of ballet flats are flimsy and cheaply made, but SWYT’s version is the crème of the crop. They feature molded lightweight outsoles and fabric tops that come in a wide array of eye-catching colors, fabrics and prints.

The sublimation process used by SWYT Culture allows for an endless collection of possibilities for reproducing digital prints and other types of artwork onto the shoe fabric. It gives new meaning to the term “canvas shoes!”.

SWYT Culture’s founder, Maggie Finneran-Geilim, has a passion for creative expression. She has worked as a brand builder for the fashion and luxury goods market, so she knew a good idea when one came along; especially when the idea happened to be her own. Her vision for SWYT includes the new anti-bullying shoe that helps raise money for organizations fighting to put an end to cyberbullying and other types of harmful peer-on-peer behavior.

Step up and help the cause at www.swytculture.com

Shoemees Takes the Right Step to Help Kids Go Green

In the world of environmentally sound kids clothing, shoes are beginning to take a starring role. As companies discover more ecologically responsible manufacturing methods, families have more options when it comes to earth-friendly footwear.

Shoemees is one of the companies making strides in this area. Founded in 2010, Florida-based Shoemees offers kids cute, durable shoes that stand up to the everyday wear and tear of home and playground. They feature breathable, natural materials and skid-proof soles. But the benefits of this company don’t lie in its footwear alone; they also offer cool, imaginative packaging that encourages children to recycle, reduce and reuse.

Every box of Shoemees shoes can be broken down and re-folded into boxes of different shapes. Each colorful box tells a story about the importance of protecting our natural resources through fun, memorable characters. For example, the Blaze character explains how metal can be melted down and reused to save the planet. Each box also comes with a lovable plush version of these eco-heroes.

Shoemees founder Melissa Oldfield had a vision of a company that merged stylish design with innovative packaging that kids would relate to and enjoy. The goal of Shoemees is to plant seeds of environmental awareness that will grow throughout a lifetime.

Want to be on the ground floor of this trendy new company? Get your foot in the door at www.shoemees.com