NEWS Gibson London launches for Spring 2009
It was 1964; the streets of post war London were alive and sounding to a new youth beat defined by music and style codes from Southend to Liverpool. Explosive social consequences challenged traditions. Music and style were at the
heart of this new generation, gigging bands such as The Kinks, The Jam, Small Faces played dingy rooms above smoky pubs and small back street Soho clubs. This is where the Mod culture of the early sixties was at its most vivid and vi- brant. For them, it was to look their best, it was becoming a player – “ace face” – on the scene. This explosive cultural heritage is at the soul of Gibson London’s ethos and style aesthetic – a contemporary British men’s brand informed by the best traditions of fine tailoring, with a passion for modern relevance, culture and style.
personality and handwriting for a debut collection that com- bines classic and authentic British style with fashion and functionality. Following in the footsteps of its clothing
brand big brother, the footwear collection delivers excellence in quality, design and attention to detail. A timeless style and
traditional craftsmanship blend with contemporary elegance to allow the
product to ooze confidence and The Gibson London collection
takes it’s influence from two famous London Streets – Carnaby Street and Saville Row and its inextricable links to the music scene of the 60’s and 70’s. Gibson London footwear
launches for Spring/Summer 2009 with a strong
transform the wearer into a modern-day dandy, inspired by youth, music and style. The Gibson London collection mirrors the Gibson London philosophy, reflecting trends and creating them.
• For further information: Pete Winkworth on
T: 0208 532 1150 or E: petewinkworth@
baselondon.co.uk
The Society of Shoe Fitters - Bernard O'Brien receives his Chain of Office from 'Immediate Past President' Lesley Waddy
Mr. Bernard O'Brien of Tuam, Co. Galway, S. Ireland, has been appointed the new President of the Society of Shoe Fitters, now in its 50th year as a not-for- profit
organisation.Bernard took over from Lesley Waddy (of Best Feet First, Epsom, Surrey) at the recent AGM with Lesley having completed a successful two years in office as President. Jan Parry of Parry's Shoes, Pembroke Dock is now Vice President. Bernard is the first President
to come from Ireland and like those who have gone before him, is passionate about footwear, shoe fitting and good foot health. A family man, hav- ing started in his teens on a 'sons and daughters course' at Clarks and creating a lucrative and successful business in Tuam, Bernard has 'irons in many fires'. Bernard, well known to those who play golf
6 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • MAY 2009
on the Shoe Trade Charity Golf circuit, is passionate about horse-racing and is pro-active in promoting the aims and objec- tives of the SSF, having tutored several overseas students from Vietnam, Spain, Germany etc. The credit crunch has seen a
need within the industry for specialisation and student num-
bers on the Society course are at an all time high, reports Laura West, Secretary. “We are also receiving lots of
enquiries from existing experi- enced shoe fitters to do our ex- amination to obtain a recognised qualification - which they can promote to the public and health representatives. With the public able to buy shoes literally anywhere - even in the comfort of their own home, the Society offers a quali- fication to give retailers that bit extra in terms of knowledge, skill, confidence and support - which in turn creates a positive and respectful sales environ- ment. Unfortunately, 'ignorance is not bliss, it's blisters' when it comes to selling shoes, so thankfully our organisation con- tinues to flourish in a world that needs as much help as it can get to stay on it's feet!” says Laura.
ion-mask™ scoops footwear industry innovation award
ion-mask™, the plasma-based surface enhancement technology originally devel- oped by the MoD to protect soldiers against chemical attack, has won its seventh footwear industry award. ion-mask™ technology was
honoured in the Footwear Innovation category at the 2009 Company Clothing Awards, held recently in London. Judges singled out the MAGNUM Elite Force 8.0 WPi, from MAGNUM’s world- first collection of ion-mask™ protected uniform footwear, as the winner in a highly competi- tive and coveted award category. ion-mask™ technology, from
Oxford-based P2i, uses a highly-innovative and patented gas plasma process to perma- nently alter the properties of treated materials at a molecu- lar level. The plasma treatment deposits a uniformly-applied, microscopically thin layer that dramatically increases water and oil repellency so that liq- uids bead and run off without leaving any trace. The result is a protective shield that also greatly enhances comfort and, crucially, does not affect look and feel. Commenting on the award,
Carl Francis, CEO of P2i said: “With ion-mask™’s military heritage it seems fitting to be winning an award for innova- tion in uniform footwear. As well as helping police, para- medics and medical profession- als keep their feet dry, cool and blister free in challenging conditions, ion-mask™ has the additional vital benefit of protecting against biological contamination risks.” “This technology has truly
huge potential to add value for manufacturers in a vast number of product categories, wherever there is an appetite for high-performance products with ground-breaking benefits built-in.”
• For further information visit
www.p2ilabs.com
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