Netflix and chill with Tinker Hatfiled - not 'chill' ;)

Netflix just released a series of documentaries focusing on visionaries within the art and design field. Abstract - The Art of Design is definitely something you can binge on! I sat and watched 6 in a row and couldn't get enough of it! It was totally inspiring and motivating and after watching them it not only highlighted how talented the individuals were but the path they took to get as successful as they are - basically a LONG TIME. Im always challenged and impatient about time, and where I'm at with my footwear career but these documentaries reassured me that I'm exactly where I'm meant to be.  The episode that focused on Tinker Hatfield the visionary behind Nike particularly caught my eye (of course!) simply because even though his trade is in sports footwear our paths weren't dissimilar at all, we both studied architecture and figured at that point that we were both good at drawing and building 3D pieces of work. We both landed in architecture not really knowing if that was our path and if it was something we wanted to do for the rest of our lives. Of course aside from the personal similarities his full time job wasn't to dissimilar either - we both work in footwear. This documentary is for the absolute sneaker fanatic or shoe fanatic for that matter - it explores the lengths Hatfield went to build a brand but most importantly a product that would stand the test of time. Michael Jordan features in it regularly and the ever famous back to the future sneaker is presented in its most basic form to the fully functioning self tying sneakers. This is an absolute jem to watch and so are the other episodes in this series - so what are you waiting for?

BBC's Inside the Factory

Season 2: Episode 6 - Shoes

When you're a shoe maker its very easy to become obsessed with every part of the making process for whatever style of shoe you are making. The only conundrum I seem to continually struggle with is the trainer simply because the sole unit (even though they can be purchased) is usually attached by machinery therefor making them that extra little bit difficult to make if you are a shoe maker using the traditional shoe making equipment ( it needs its own machinery) . The machinery that deals with attaching the sole unit to the upper is something that I have only come to understand by description so this documentary that aired on BBC2 yesterday was SO interesting, I was able to see the very machine that shoe makers had only ever been able to describe to me. I often love seeing the shoe making process simply because the process can differ from one shoe maker to the other and from design to style. I was totally buzzed and motivated to get back into the studio - a definite must see for shoemakers and trainer enthusiasts! Its available on BBC IPlayer for the next 29 days.

Thomas Le 

Nike Lunar Relic Concept

Now I think its pretty obvious that my heart will always lay with heels. SO when I am on the hunt for sneakers for myself or people to write about for these posts the sneaks have to either be super classic or extremely well designed. Now I'm no pro on why certain sneaks make better sales than others (apart from of course great marketing and celebrity endorsements), but I can tell you or rather show you why Boston based designer Thomas Le's exploration of the upper with weaving and braiding as a concept for Nike is sure to get your approval. Below are Le's thoughts, sketches and working process.

Could you be the next High Heels High Hopes collaborator?

I'm aware that not all women are high heel ladies, sometimes they are  straight up sneaker ladies who wear heels only for certain occasions (what?! I hear you say... "I wear my heels every day and wear them to bed"). This prompted me to do a entry (Once or twice a month) on sneakers. Since they have only really entered my life on a more full time basis with in the last year or so my ears and eyes have adjusted and I'm more aware of kicks, sneakers, chucks, creps (how ever you like to refer to them) trends. However since heels have forever got my heart High Heels High Hopes are looking for a Sneaker contributor - someone who eats and breathes sneaker trends that can contribute to our blog with the latest news on kicks. The contributor would be someone who enjoys writing but who most importantly loves to know whats going on in the world of trainers. If you are that someone or you know somebody that would be perfect for this role head over to any one of social media outlets and get in touch! We'd love to hear from you!

F High Heels High Hopes Blog

T @hhhhblog

I @highheelshighhopesblog

Kiren

x

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/14645243/?claim=59dbmedpftd">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes....

Ginellè Wilson

How did you get into Modelling?

Well I use to model as a child and as I was getting older I kept getting scouted in lots of different places like the post office, walking down the street any where really than I was scouted in Mc Donald's by IMG models who I signed too.

The best thing about being model? 

The best thing about being a model is traveling to different places and meeting new people all the time. 

The worst thing about being a model?

The long hours and early call times and sometimes not being fed on jobs.

You're a model which means you have great fashion sense but can you think of any footwear crimes you have committed in the past? 

Yes at shoots and shows wearing shoes that are too small or to big.

Describe your footwear style in 1 sentence?

My style is unique, fashionable, contemporary and Modern.

What’s the most memorable pair of shoes you can remember shooting in?

I say Dsquared shoes the one's with the pad locks on them. I love their style and their run way shows are always fun, I would love to walk on their run way one day.

Sneakers or ballet pumps when you’re not on model duties?

Definitely sneakers; easy to get around London when running around especially fashion week.

Plain or pattern?

It depends on what style mood I'm in but I would say plain just to be safe.

Stone wash or tie-dye?

Stone wash; it's easy to go with other things.

The most expensive pair of shoes you own?

It's my Roccobarocco pair I bought in Italy.

Sneakers or heels?

I like heels and would like to wear them all the time if I was lucky enough to be driven everywhere so it has to be sneakers as I walk everywhere.

Stileto or Wedge?

Definitely stilettos for me not a big fan of wedges.

Lipstick or lip-gloss? 

Lipstick 

Cats or dogs?

Cats I have two and a snake.

You’re on a day of castings - what shoes do you travel in and what heels do you change into?

I travel in flats if the weather is bad then boots and summer any kind of flats sandals, sneakers etc. Then at the casting I would change into my highest high heels which is normally a stiletto heel.

What's the one pair of shoes you can't live without? 

Right now it's my sneakers from Adidas there for running but I wear them all the time and there so comfy 

What's on your iPod right now? 

A mixture of house music and hip hop but my favourite playlist that I'm listening to right now is I love house by ministry of sound.

What makes you go to sleep? 

I like listening to mediation music to fall asleep.

 If you could time warp yourself to any point in history when would it be and who would you hang out with?

It would be the ancient Egyptians times, when they built the pyramids and had queens and pharaohs

 What is the most precious thing in your wardrobe? 

I would have to say all my clothes lol but there a lot of things I like, like my Zara real leather jacket I got in the sale for really cheap.

If Ryan Gosling came over to you right now, what would you say to him?

Hey how about we talk about me having a show like the Kim K one lol joking. Hmm I dunno probably just hi and then walk off 

Your best friends plan a last minute night out - what pair of shoes do you grab first?

What ever pair of heels stand out to me at the time, but I have so many shoes right now it's really just what ever I see first Lol.

It's your birthday - do you plan your shoes around your outfit? or your outfit around your shoes?

I'd say if I bought a really nice new pair of shoes then I would plan my outfit around my shoes but if I bought my outfit first then I would find shoes to match them.

Suede or patent?

Suede

Favourite place to shoe shop?

I like to shop in different countries to get my clothes and shoes as I feel I get the best deals.

Best shoe bargains?

I have a lot as I like a bargain. So nearly all my shoes and clothes are a bargain because I know where to shop lol.

Your favourite footwear designer of the moment?

Dsquared and Giuseppe Zanotti

What's the most embarrassing thing you've ever done?

Haha I walked around with a slip in my trousers right at the bottom part. Embarrassing! 

What's the biggest shopping mistake you've ever made?

Buying small clothes hoping to fit into them at some point 

What's your biggest inspiration?

I like the old super models like tyra and Naomi and Iman but I also like anyone that's doing well in what they want to achieve, it's inspiration for me to do what I want and reach the top. I aspire to be a super model like Iman, Tyra and the Victoria Secret angel Jasmine Tookes maybe I'll be an angel soon too haha 

I - Ginellè Wilson