These exclusive fur slides are available solely at the NBA Store on Fifth Ave. in New York City, adding an extra layer of exclusivity to the product. For those eager to explore ISlide's premium custom slides and explore their licensed partnerships, additional information can be found on the official website www.islideusa.com. This collaboration with the NBA Store exemplifies ISlide's commitment to pushing the boundaries of customization and personalization in the world of footwear.

You know what they say: you can't judge someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. But when it comes to eco-chic shoe brand Alterre, you'll probably be able to take note of the company's whimsy and innovation right away -- and you might soon be inspired by their commitment to sustainability.


The U.S. apparel market may be expected to grow to a $385 billion valuation by 2025, but designers know they need to do more than create beautiful products for their brands to succeed. The modern consumer is more focused on environmental responsibility than ever before, as is evidenced by the fact that electric vehicles will make up 54% of new car sales worldwide by 2040. Brands now need to address green practices in some way in order to stand out. Many have managed to make sustainability truly fashionable.


As of 2017, there are more than 17,300 warehouses across the United States. Most filled with consumer products that put little stock into the impact their production and distribution processes have on the rest of the world. In the case of Alterre, things are different. It's more than using responsibly sourced materials in their products. The brand does make a significant effort to utilize eco-friendly materials, like recycled plastics and leathers. Although this limits the type of shoes they can make (as "virgin" plastic is required for stiletto heels, for example), the company's founders -- Shilpa Iyengar and Harmony Pilobello -- are confident that their aesthetic and sustainable decisions are aligned. But Iyengar and Pilobello haven't stopped there. They're also making an effort to reduce unnecessary waste by ensuring that their products are as versatile as possible. In fact, their shoes are customizable, meaning the wearer can switch out the base and the upper of a given shoe to create endless style possibilities.


Basically, they're modular shoes. The consumer can buy a base (which come in sandal and platform styles) and several "uppers," which all work interchangeably. This allows the wearer to get much more out of her shoes and be a bit more creative. Plus, it can eliminate the need to buy (and eventually get rid of) several similar pairs or shoes -- and could potentially make packing for a trip a total breeze. Plus, these shoes are seriously cute and contemporary.


It's taken consumers a while to catch on, as some have shied away from the unfamiliar or expressed concerns about the comfort of these styles. And while the platforms might not be ideal for the 30% of Americans who walk for exercise, they're perfect for a strut down a busy street or a morning stroll with another stylish friend. It doesn't hurt that the brand was founded by two women and donates 5% of its profits to Restore NYC, which helps sex trafficking victims. All in all, Alterre is an intriguing shoe brand that's doing some excellent work to promote greater eco-consciousness -- all without sacrificing the desire to look fashion-forward.

A new Kickstarter campaign has set out to create the world's most customizable shoes. With an interchangeable heel system, women can transform these pumps from block heels to stilettos at a moment's notice. These customizable heels come from Oumou Barry, a French shoe designer who thought of the idea when she couldn't decide between her shoe options and found her choices rather boring.


The shoes are perfect for transitioning from a day to night look, all while staying safe. Five of the most common personal injury cases involve car accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, product liability, and wrongful death. Without being too dramatic, ladies, how many times have you been betrayed by your own high heels? One 2015 study found that high heel related injuries had nearly doubled over the span of 10 years and we know heels aren't likely to get any shorter.
Oumou Barry's new heels can provide the safety you need without compromising on the height. Engineers and designers at SATRA, the global leader in footwear testing and research, have tested and approved the heel system for safety, comfort, versatility, and quality. Despite the ability to remove the heels from the shoe, they can withstand extreme forces without breaking and won't distort when you walk.


While the design of the heels keeps you safe, it can also make your day much more comfortable. Stiletto heels can strain your feet and ankles if you have to walk a long way in them. Block heels, however, offer much better support because you can distribute your body weight across their greater surface area. The support of a chunky heel can lessen pain in areas such as your feet, ankles, legs, and lower back. When faced with this pain, many people may seek medical help at one of the 7,357 urgent care centers in the United States. If you could skip the discomfort and the inevitable trip to the doctor's office by switching your stylish stiletto to a supportive block heel when you're on the go, wouldn't you?


The practicality of the heel system also holds an appeal for many women. By having a two-in-one pump, you no longer have to pack multiple pairs of shoes for a business trip or vacation. With 92% of employees saying that vacation time is important to them, the challenge of packing strategically is one that almost every traveler faces. Now multiple pairs of bulky heels won't be taking up room in your suitcase. You can pack just the one pair and tuck the sets of heels into side pockets or your purse.


According to the Kickstarter campaign, Oumou Barry is currently offering one design of the customizable heels. Called Severine, these pumps are made of 100% genuine leather on the body and a segment of patent leather on the rounded front. The high-quality leather guarantees durability and longevity while offering optimal comfort. Both heel choices of the Severine pumps measure three inches.
In the future, Oumou Barry plans to offer a wider variety of colors, shapes, and materials. The Kickstarter is currently in the campaign phase, but will likely move into production in December and January. Their timeline shows that by March of 2020, the first batch of shoes will go out for delivery.
If you've been looking for a pair of shoes you can change on a whim, these might just be what you've been dreaming about. Check out Oumou Barry's fundraising campaign to learn more about these one-of-a-kind Kickstarter kicks.

As humans, we cherish community but love our individuality. Making things "our own" has always been prevalent, especially in fashion. From painting or dyeing, to adding buttons and patches to our clothing, we always want our personality to shine through. That's why companies like Zazzle are a go-to for customization needs. We personally use Zazzle to create our custom Shoeography t-shirts, and we are just one of the thousands of people who use them....and they're expanding their reach and doing great things. You see, Zazzle recently announced a partnership with Ubuntu Life to welcome the Afridrille, the world's first custom espadrille handmade-to-order in Africa.


As part of the commitment to its philanthropic-inspired program, Zazzle Heart, Zazzle has taken the next step to power manufacturing at scale and to have an impact through the partnership with Kenya-based Ubuntu Life, the the largest employer in Maai Mahiu, Kenya. They employ a community of skilled Kenyan artists and Maasai tribes-women who enjoy above-market wages.


You can either purchase one of the adorable one already available or customize your made-to-order Afridrilles by choosing from one of the 11 canvas colors, 16 outer patterns, 12 color options of the outer pattern, and the 24 inner lining patterns. Check out how easy it is to create your own.


The final result, a lovely pair of Zazzle and Ubuntu Life Afridrilles that are customized to my style and personality.The best part, I can created so many different color and print combinations. Imagine the possibilities.


"Our mission at Zazzle is to give people the power to make anything imaginable – and that includes making lives better too," said Jeff Beaver, co-founder, and chief product officer, Zazzle. "We see the Afridrilles and our partnership with Ubuntu Life as a beautiful example of how Zazzle provides sustainable, meaningful jobs for individuals and communities so that they can both follow their dreams and support their families."

The Zazzle and Ubuntu Life Afridrilles can be yours starting at $89.95, and you can get 25% Off with code HAPPYSHOPZAZ. All proceeds from the Afridrille sales, along with sales of other handmade products such as leather journals and canvas totes available for custom order through the Zazzle marketplace, go directly towards these marginalized mothers and the medical care and education for their children with special needs in Kenya. The Afridrilles are available for purchase now at https://www.zazzle.com/heart.