I am told that Crocs are really comfortable and very good for your feet. When they first appeared they struck me as something really good for children to wear when playing on the beach, messing about in rock pools and other such summertime activities like paddling in the ford down by one of our local millponds. Definitely not, I thought, the sort of thing sensible adults would wear. Nowadays I see people of all ages wearing crocs in all weathers. Although actually I don’t see many children in crocs.
It was this article about a collaboration between Crocs and Lego to produce footwear that looks like Lego bricks. A Guardian reporter road-tested a pair, looking as though he had the walk in the same way as you might if you were wearing snow shoes.
He concludes his article: “Back at home in my trusty Adidas, I realise these aren’t shoes; they’re a performance art piece about the triumph of novelty over sense. My feet survived – barely – but my ego needs a rebuild. If fashion really is passion over practicality, then I think I’ll just stay fashionably ignorant, thanks very much.”
I did a bit of research. Ordinary Crocs can cost you around £50. Any footwear is expensive.
Lego is not the only firm to collaborate with Crocs. Here is a £720 example:
“Part of a Balenciaga x Crocs collaboration, these silver-toned clogs feature the iconic silhouette updated with a platform sole. The rubber pair is adorned with playful Jibbitz charms inspired by Balenciaga icons.”
Crocs have been around for almost a quarter of a century. “Scott Seamans, Lyndon Hanson and George Boedecker Jr. created Crocs in 2002 to make and distribute the sandals, as they saw its potential and ease of use for consumers.
The trio acquired Andrew Reddyhoff's design from Foam Creations, Inc. of Quebec City, which became the foundation of the Crocs sandals known in the present day. Seamans, Hanson, and Boedecker were drawn to the shoe's comfort and practicality.
In 2002, Crocs unveiled their first model, the Beach, at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in Florida, and all 200 pairs produced sold out.”
Oddly enough I remember owning a pair of actual clogs some time in the 1970s. Made of blue leather and with a classic wooden sole, they were very trendy in certain circles, comfortable but quite impractical for everyday living, and useless for dancing. As regards dancing, I suppose they were easily removed and then you could dance barefoot!
Just for the fun of it, here is a picture an equally impractical-looking thing: a flamboyance of flamingos. Having watched various tv programmes with our smallest grandchild I know that flamingos also have a dance, well, really a fancy stepping manoeuvre to cross difficult terrain. It’s also part of their mating rituals.
Enough of that!
Some seven years ago now, a good friend and I went on an adventure to Cuba, exploring Havana, visiting a tobacco farm, dancing to a Buena Vista Social Club tribute band. We had a great time but were aware of how privileged we were, how our life style contrasted with that of most Cubans. Yet we felt welcomed and on the whole were impressed.
Now, according to this article, as well as other problems arising from the oil embargo - power cuts, food shortages - tourism is also affected. Flights from places like Canada and Russia, which send a lot of tourists to Cuba, are being cancelled because the planes cannot refuel for the return flight!
Where does the arrogance come from that permits one country to interfere in the way another place organises its life? The world is a depressing place!
And yet …
Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!
No comments:
Post a Comment