Made in Spain CHILDREN’S FOOTWEAR
2,000 sales outlets in more than 40 countries worldwide, this is a company that continues to build on its success year on year. The mainstream Garvalin brand offers children’s shoes, boots and trainers
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for school, casual and formal wear – with a wide range of colour-ways, fastenings and trims, from the classic to the latest design. Every season these brands receive marketing backup by actions ranging from advertising campaigns in the mass media to the supply of displays, show racks and other promotional articles to the actual sales outlets. Biomecanics, the latest addition focuses on the physiological
development and mobility of small children. For the past 10 years, every aspect of an infant’s gait and the shoes they wear, has been examined, tried and tested. From the flexible uppers and fastenings to the new ergonomic sole units that spread at the heel (to prevent children toppling backward or sideways).These include a ribbed forefoot to maximize flexion and prevent slipping and sliding. The new sole units ensure that no shoe is heavier than the proportional age-appropriate weight for the child’s body weight. Developed by the Garvalin technical team, the Biomecanics brand has
been endorsed by studies carried out by IBV in Spain and TNO in Holland. Another brand made and distributed by Garvalín, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, is created by Spain’s top international designer of children’s footwear. Agatha Ruiz de la Prada’s creativity and Garvalín’s shoemaking experience, means every season sees a collection full of originality and colour in the world of children’s fashion.
Biomecanics The transition from crawling to walking does not happen suddenly, it is a natural process. From the time children first pull themselves up by holding on to something (such as a piece of furniture) and put their feet on the
arvalin is a long-established family company, based in the famous shoemaking city of Elche, near Alicante, Spain, from where it launched its first collection in 1968. Making nearly 2m pairs of shoes a year, with a choice of 300 new models each year, distributed to over
Footwear Today takes a look at Garvalin - one of Spain’s most successful family-run shoemakers
ground, they begin to acquire confidence and to strengthen their musculoskeletal structures. This progress continues until they can take a firm step. Throughout this process, children crawl or walk depending on what they want to do at that particular time. If children feel more confident walking, they will walk; if they feel they are going to stumble, they will crawl. These two ways of getting around are perfectly acceptable in their own
right and should never be discouraged. The role footwear plays in this process is very important because it can affect the development of the foot. Footwear should never make up for children’s lack of ability to push themselves along, but rather stimulate their development, helping them as naturally as possible.
The Society of Shoe Fitters is concerned about the number of children’s shoes being purchased over the web adversely affecting feet and foot health, leading to an increase in visits to GP’s and podiatrists in the future. “There is no substitute for taking your children to a reputable shoe shop to see a qualified shoe fitter and allowing them to assess the right size and fitting shoe suitable for your child”, says Laura West, Secretary of the SSF. “A child may have a high arch, low ankle-bone, pronation, supination; they may even require remedial advice and need to be referred to their G.P. or
chiropodist. Shoe fitting is not just common-sense it requires knowledge and experience. Only a third of children have average feet, therefore a qualified shoe fitter is the best person to look after your child’s feet as it is their job to continually look, feel and assess many different pairs of feet in a day’. What you consider to be ‘cheap’ now, may cost your children dearly in the future, and there is no extra charge for an expert service”.
38 • FOOTWEAR TODAY
• JUNE/JULY 2010
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