Latest news with #NewBalances
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
Norfolk mother pleads for help in locating missing 21-year-old son
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A Norfolk mother is pleading for help in locating her missing 21-year-old son. Deshawn Jerrell Wilson Jr. was reported missing on April 24, according to the Norfolk Police Department. He was last seen in the 1000 block of Norchester Avenue around 6:10 p.m. Wilson is described as 5 feet, 5 inches and 135 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. His mother, Shaquita McKinney provided a description of his clothing at the time of his disappearance. He was wearing a blue hoodie, blue jeans, silver-gray New Balances and a fitted cap. 'We don't know where he is, and I don't know what to think. I don't know how to feel. I just want to know if he's okay,' said McKinney. McKinney has reached out to authorities for updates but has yet to receive any new information. Anyone with information about Wilson's whereabouts can call the Norfolk Police Department's Missing Persons Unit at (757) 664-7222. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Buzz Feed
05-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Buzz Feed
17 Shoes That May Cost A Little Extra But Will Be *Totally* Worth It
Unless otherwise specified, all sizes in this post are listed in women's. 1. New Balance 327s be the perfect pair of sneakers? They're inspired by New Balance running shoes from the '70s, with a retro-meets-current silhouette that'll be on-trend now also but not look dated next year. They'll be your go-to pair with athleisure, suiting, dresses, and more — and best of all, they're *super* comfy. I have these sneakers in two colors (the black and white pictured above and a pair with blue accents that's not currently available), and I wear them *all the time*. They're the perfect balance of slightly chunky but not bulky, and I love the slightly retro look. And of course, they're VERY comfy. I wear them all the time walking around New York, and I brought one pair on a recent trip to Paris where I walked 81 miles in 8.5 days (I wore the New Balances on 7/8.5 days!) and I was comfy on every step. I saw several other people wearing them there, too! I am probably going to buy a third pair (I know...) in the sea salt with sandstone colorway, which is the perfect neutral. Promising review: "Fantastic! Give me one in every color! If you're on the fence, buy them. I get compliments all the time, and I'm on my feet all day. My favorite pair of New Balances to date!" —Amber B TX Get them from New Balance for $99.99 (available in sizes 5–12 and 12 colorways, plus a version for golfing). 2. Sam Edelman loafers with a chic double-bit accent; they're sure to be your go-to slip-on shoes; they're a classic for a reason! And reviewers note the leather is "buttery soft," making them comfy straight out of the box. Why splurge on Gucci? FYI, if you have Amazon Prime you can try before you buy! Promising review:"These shoes are a favorite! I ordered the black after having a beet red color for about a year and a half. They were comfortable right out of the box, the leather is supple, and they look high quality. I am very happy with my purchase. These are often compared to the Brixton loafer from a high-end fashion brand." — Christine Get them from Amazon for $150 (available in sizes 4–14, in wide width, and in dozens of colors and patterns). 3. A pair of Aerosoles platform sandals if you're looking for a bit of a height boost but still want to be comfy all night. The platform front helps mitigate the three-inch heel, and the ~diamond flex sole~ is designed to reduce friction. Spoiler alert: they just might become your go-to event shoes. Promising review:"These are super cute and by far the most comfortable heels I've ever worn. My feet are wide and flat so typically heeled shoes are not my friend. For context, I wore them to a baby shower and afterward walked around Whole Foods with zero issues. I'm definitely buying these in silver next." — Adriana L. Get them from Aerosoles for $69.30 or Nordstrom for $99 (available in sizes 5–12, wide, and in many colors and patterns). 4. Columbia hiking shoes because you should take that hike in full comfort. The soles? They're a high-traction rubber, so you can avoid treacherous tumbles. The uppers? They're (waterproof!) leather and suede designed to last miles and miles. And the red laces? Well, they're just the cute little cherry on top. Here's BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jenae Sitzes: Reviewers swear these don't even have a break-in period, making them a great pickup for that last-minute outdoorsy trip where hiking and rough terrain are on the docket. Note that it's recommended to go up a half size in these boots to accommodate thicker hiking socks, and I found that to be true when I picked up these shoes myself — I'm normally an 8 but found an 8.5 in these to be totally comfortable. I also found that they hold up well even on my first hike — though I did admittedly still have some soreness around my heel area, this was after a hard, 7+-mile hike with lots of rocks and climbing, so I don't blame the shoes. They felt comfortable right out of the box and super supportive when I was clamoring over rocks and rough terrain. And though I only stepped in water a couple of times briefly, my socks stayed dry, too. I got the brown color with red laces as pictured above, and they're even cuter in person, which is just another plus. Promising review: "There's a reason that these hiking boots are the #1 best hiking boots on Amazon. I am amazed that they are so comfortable. This is day four that I've worn them, and my feet feel fantastic! I hiked four miles on the second day, and my feet were not tired, achy, or sore. I have been hiking for 30 years and have had numerous boots, but not a single pair has been this comfortable. The price is so worth it for what you get." — Granny B Get them from Amazon for $39+ (available in sizes 5–12, including wide sizes, and 12 colors). You can find a similar men's version here. 5. A pair of Alohas ankle boots with a juuuust under 3-inch heel to elevate your outfit with that lightly '70s boot look that's so on trend — but still classic enough to wear for years to come. Spoiler alert: you might come back for a second pair. Alohas Promising review:"This is my second time buying these boots. I bought them in brown a few seasons ago, and they are still in great condition and held up after lots of wear, and now purchased them in black, and they're my new favorite pair! They're comfortable enough for casual wear, and great to dress up. I am a size 7.5 women's in US, and purchased a 38. They fit true to size. Definitely recommend these boots to anyone looking for a great wardrobe staple." —Gabraelle Hanus Get them Alohas for $310 (available in size 35–44). 6. Or a pair of Franco Sarto mid-calf boots that will achieve excellent price-per-wear because they go with just about every outfit, adding a little something-something (thanks to the unique stitching and chunky stacked heel) without distracting from your carefully curated fit. Amazon FYI, if you have Amazon Prime you can try before you buy! Promising review:"They are very good boots! I've bought three pairs of them so far, and I'm happy with all of them! I especially like the felling of the boots! I suggest buying one size bigger and wearing them with thicker socks, and you will feel even more comfortable! Hope this helps!" — NTHCC Get it from Amazon for $87.45+ (available in sizes 5–13 and in 13 colors). 7. Rothy's flats made out of a clever (and machine-washable!) recycled plastic knit that won't ~wear~ on you (or your feet). They're breathable, flexible, and don't rub painfully like some flats with sharp seams. And hey, more than 27,000 reviewers dig 'em, so they're probably worth checking out. Rothy's Promising review:"These are the most wonderful shoes on earth. They are my go-to for shoes. I've been wearing them for 7 years now, and I love them as much now as when I first purchased them." — DEBRA S. Get them from Rothy's for $119+ (available in sizes 5–13 and in many colors and patterns). 8. Bestselling Adidas Cloudfoam sneakers that live up to the name (which is a pretty tall order!) — not only do they have super soft, cushiony soles, but the tops are made with a breathable mesh that stretches with your feet. That means no sweaty feet, no rubbing, just miles of bliss. Promising review: "They felt weird the first time I put them on…but as I started walking in them it got better! Usually my feet are killing me by the end of the day or I'm just super sweaty in my dress shoes, but these are like walking on a literal CLOUD ☁️ and they let my feet breathe!" — Alyssa Promising review: "Literally the BEST shoes ever! So comfy. I spent a whole day at Disney with no complaints, normally I'm tired after two hours of walking in the park, but with these babies, I was up and walking alll day with no problem." — Katherine Get them from Amazon for $42+ (available in sizes 5–11 and 18 colors). 9. Thursday Boot Company Chelsea boots with shock-absorbing insoles, studded leather outsoles, and glove leather lining to keep you comfy all day — which means you're going to turn to these classics time and time (and time and time) again. And reviewers say the quality is amazing, with several revisiting their original review to talk about how well the boots hold up. Thursday Boot Company Thursday Boot Company suggests ordering a half size up from your normal size (aka your boot size). Promising review:"I've bought from Thursday in the past, and I always love their boots and get so many compliments. They're well made and go with everything. They're definitely worth the price. I've had some pairs for years, and they hold up in every kind of weather! 10/10 recommend!" — Amazon Customer Get them from Amazon for $160 (available in sizes 5–11 and in 10 colors). 10. Doc Martens combat boots — do I even need to tell you why? They're classics for a reason and get even *better* with wear (not only by breaking them in, of course but by letting the leather get a perfectly worn-in patina). The soles are ~ air-cushioned ~ and slip-resistant, and the shoes are bonded with heat so they'll stay intact for years. Just use Dr. Martens Wonder Balsam to condition and protect the leather as needed! FYI, if you have Amazon Prime you can try before you buy! Promising review:"I'm in love. I'm never buying another brand of combat boots again. I'd been hesitant to buy Docs because of the price, but these were absolutely worth it. They have excellent support (comfortable enough to wear for eight-hour shifts on my feet), and they're grippy enough to handle snow, sleet, and New England winters. I tend to wear my shoes to death, but I've been wearing these pretty much daily for four months, and they're holding up well." — R Get them from Amazon for $79.92+ (available in sizes 5–11 and in six colors). 11. Sorel Kinetic Impact Lace Sneakers designed with ventilation on the sides for breathability (buh-bye sweaty feet) and a "Livelyfoam" midsole designed to soften the impact of every step. Plus, how cool are those futuristic, super-chunky soles? If you're looking for sneaks that make a statement, these are for you. FYI, if you have Amazon Prime you can try before you buy! Promising review:"I normally don't like wearing tennis shoes all day because my feet tend to sweat in them, then swell when I take them off. These are the best brand of tennis shoes I have ever owned. They feel wonderful on my arthritic feet, and my feet breathe in them all day, so they never sweat and don't swell up when I take them off. I bought a second pair in white. Well worth the money. All my other tennis shoes are going to Goodwill." — SBoo Get them from Amazon for $76.85+ (available in sizes 5–12 and 12 styles). 12. Naturalizer slingbacks with an itty bitty (but not flat) 1.25-inch heel and a classic pointed toe for a hint of ~how sophisticated am I~ energy — without worrying about rolling your ankle or having cramped toes. FYI, if you have Amazon Prime you can try before you buy! Promising review:"With all my foot problems, I was resigned to only wearing sneakers with orthotics and sandals. I am happy to say these shoes are buttery soft and comfortable. I got the wide fit and am searching for the next cute pair to purchase. They are pricey, so I have to pace myself, but so worth it!" — Vivian Get them from Amazon for $88+ (available in sizes 4–12, narrow, wide, and in 19 colors). 13. Everlane flats made with a *buttery* soft leather that'll mold to your feet as you wear them, so they'll feel like they were custom-made just for you! Plus, they've got upgraded insole cushioning so you can strut your stuff all day long — on trend and on cloud nine. Everlane Promising review: "This is my third pair of Everlane Day Glove shoes and I will probably get more. As someone who suffers with foot problems, I was sold after the first pair! I was able to put them on and go with no problems. The soft leather truly conforms to my feet." —TN Mimi Get them from Everlane for $55+ (originally $138; available in sizes 5–11 and in 14 colors). 14. High-top, platform Converse sneakers that take classic Chucks to ~new heights~. And it's not just for looks (but boy, do they look good) — reviewers say the thicker sole means more cushioning, too! Here's BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Rachelle Yang: "I had these bbs for three years but had to say goodbye to them because it was finally their time to go. 🥲 I first got these shoes because I have very weak ankles and needed shoes that would support them, but these did waaaay more than that. The platforms were a lot comfier than I thought they were going to be, and I wore these EVERYWHERE. From concerts to hikes to beaches, these bad boys really put in the work and held up through everything. I never had a moment when I felt uncomfy with these on, and besides all that, they're SO SO SO cute!!!" Promising review: "I've owned many pairs of Converse in my life, and these are the most comfortable I've ever worn. With the platform there's more cushion in the bottom, making them so comfy. They're absolutely adorable and who doesn't want to be just a couple inches taller! :) Now I just need them in black!" — Jennifer Kaul Get them from Amazon for $46.10+ (available in sizes 5–13 and in various styles/colors). 15. Knee-high suede boots available in *eight* different calf widths, so you can find the perfect pair that actually fits without feeling constricted or looking gaping. Wear 'em over jeans, wear 'em with dresses and skirts — no matter what, the memory foam insole and slightly stretchy interior panel will keep you comfy. DuoBoots Promising review: "Love these boots, they fit perfectly. Took two weeks to wear in and since then have been incredibly comfortable. I have lupus and lots of foot issues including plantar fasciitis and arthritis and they are very comfortable." — Karen Get them from DuoBoots for $340 (available in sizes 5—12 and in eight calf widths; also available in black leather). 16. Lucky Brand ankle boots that are available in dozens of colors and fabrics, because that's how much people have loved these for years. They're low enough to flash some ankle (show off those funky socks) or sit right under pants without bunching at the calf. Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, FYI, if you have Amazon Prime you can try before you buy! BuzzFeed shopping editor Heather Braga says:"I have these boots in both black and toffee — I'm actually obsessed. They are my favorite shoes right now because I can wear them through the fall, winter, and early spring. They look fantastic with jeans and adorable with tights. They have just enough heel to create the look of heeled booties without the discomfort of walking around in heels. Basically, they're amazing and everyone should buy them. K, thanks. You can check out my full review on them here (#6)." Promising review:"These are THE booties in my wardrobe. They carry me all through fall and winter. I would have kept my last pair longer, but my cat ate holes in them. They're a great ankle height for me, keep me warm when I wear them with socks, and are just an all around staple piece. Dress them up or dress them down, they're ready for anything." — Lisa V Get them from Amazon for $53.26+ (available in sizes 5–13, including wide widths, and dozens of colors and fabric styles). 17. Suede boots that, at first glance, are classic black ankle booties with a chick, slightly pointed toe. But take a second look and check out those too-cool dark green embossed croc heels — if you want to get a lot of compliments on your kicks, look no further. Ma'am Shoes is a woman-owned small business creating beautiful and comfortable shoes you can wear for years. If you are in between sizes, the brand recommends you size up. Promising review:"The first day of wear can typically be a challenge for new shoes because I work long hours and am on my feet all day. I am thrilled to report that they wear wonderfully — they felt like I already owned them for a month — they were that comfortable! 10s across the board in my book. I sized 1/2 size up and am so glad I did. Definitely buying more soon." — Ashley Cornett
The Guardian
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The ‘office siren' is over: why gen Z are succumbing to dull workwear
Only someone who has never truly experienced the existential dread that comes with holding down a soulless 9-to-5 would ever romanticize corporate life. And yet, this time last year, fashion influencers were doing just that. The 'office siren' trend was all over TikTok and headlines in Vogue and InStyle. Sirens, we're told, wore skintight pencil skirts, collared shirts unbuttoned to show ample cleavage, and maybe a pinstripe vest to tie it all together. It was corporate Barbie cosplay, with nods to a submissive Maggie Gyllenhaal in Secretary, or Betty Boop moonlighting as a call center employee. Office sirens were celebrating returning to the office post-pandemic while signaling a secret freakiness (one channeled well by Nicole Kidman in Babygirl, in which she played a Lean In feminist CEO who enters into a kinky office romance with a much younger intern and can't stop adjusting her blouse buttons). The trend seemed destined to end in a meeting with HR. But that was all part of the appeal: corpcore as a kind of fetishization. Fast forward to 2025, though, and workers (or those who wish to dress like a cartoonishly sexy version of one) feel less playful. Recession indicators abound, the job market has stalled, stagflation seems imminent. The office siren has died, giving way to a more staid, traditional uniform. Fortune reported this week that gen Z are 'terrified of layoffs and the spiraling economy – so they're copying Steve Jobs and showing up to the office in uniforms'. On TikTok, young people admitted to copying the Apple founder's habit of wearing black turtlenecks, Levi 501s and New Balances into the office as a way to signal he didn't care for the frivolity of dressing up. On TikTok, women share their more conservative go-tos: oversized white boatneck tops, baggy tailored trousers, sweater sets. 'I recently found a TikTok about about finding your Steve Jobs outfit, and I realized, wait I have one,' one user said in a video. 'I live, breathe, and die in Oxford shirts.' Freya Drohan, a fashion writer based in New York, says that she has noticed a shift in more image-conscious dressing. 'There's a move away from outfits that are rooted in self-expression,' she said. 'People are instead leaning toward safeness in terms of color and silhouette and toeing the line with their outfits. I can't remember the last time I saw someone commuting or in an office in a bright patterned blouse. Maybe they're simply too tired to think of putting together unique looks when the news cycle and pace of things is so exhausting.' 'The decision fatigue is real,' said Isobelle Panton, a 32-year-old from Manchester, England, who leads commercial for a podcast production company. 'I used to follow trends, but I wound up with an eclectic mix of stuff that didn't go together. So I decided that I wanted to go with a uniform.' This includes three blazers, three pairs of pants and a couple of tops. What constitutes a work-appropriate outfit has always been somewhat vague: you know it when you see it. Cierra Gross, founder of the independent firm Caged Bird HR, believes that the desire for more conservative outfits fits into the US's overall embrace of conservatism, especially in politics. She referenced the fast-fashion brand Pretty Little Thing, which used to sell eye-catching clubwear, but rebranded earlier this year to sell beige shift dresses and brown blazers that wouldn't be out of place if seen on Karoline Leavitt, Trump's press secretary. 'Now it's old money, which is a complete 360 from those very revealing, individualistic looks they used to sell prior to the [Trump] administration,' she said. While the plain, cashmere look might be Republican-coded, it's also inoffensive and apolitical. That explains the soaring popularity of Quince, a discount site that sells bland, plain clothing (plus home goods) and appeals to younger shoppers who feel they have grown out of overly trendy fast-fashion brands – but not the cheap price tag. Drohan adds that while corporate sirens may have left the office, you can spot them after-hours. 'Ironically, I think gen Z women are more likely to dial up this trend outside of their 9-to-5, when they can cosplay in the vein of what they see on the runway, or what they imagine they might wear if they were on Wall Street,' she said. 'There's an escapism and manifestation element to the look. I can see them wearing pieces associated with the very sexy secretary archetype not necessarily at work, but on their nights out.'
New York Times
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
What to Make of These $690 Flip-Flops
Like all flip-flops, they are pool attire, good for walking a stretch of scorching sand. And yet the Row's take on the toe-baring staple, priced at $690, is in a class of its own — best suited, let's imagine, for a stroll down the starboard side of a yacht. The Row, the luxury label by Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen, is known for simple designs at luxury prices. Often lauded for their personal taste, the Olsens are highly influential in matters of style. Photographs of them wearing flip-flops often circulate on social media accounts devoted to their outfits. While lacking any distinctive design hallmarks beyond a small logo on their footbed, the $690 flip-flops have attracted a wait list in most sizes on the Row's e-commerce website. Reporters and editors from the Styles section sat down to debate the polarizing shoes. Stella Bugbee I recently encountered these in the shoe department at the Nordstrom on 57th Street. I picked one up out of curiosity, only to turn it over and see the $690 price tag. I gasped. Jacob Gallagher Here's where I have to immediately come clean that I'm warped by years of covering fashion, because that price, while high, doesn't really shock me. Misty White Sidell Believe it or not, it's definitely an entry point price for the Row's shoes. JG In an era in which Miu Miu is selling $1,170 New Balances, why did this price strike you as particularly egregious? SB Well, for one thing, there is no way to pretend that they could possibly be worth the money. With loafers or boots you can at least say they are meant to last. MS To me, they exemplify the wealth gap in a very tangible way. JG I do think they represent a certain lifestyle that people want. I could hear someone justifying the purchase by saying, 'I feel like I'm in St. Barts.' SB Sure. All high fashion is expensive and represents an alternate reality, but these also get at a practice that upsets me on a deeper level. Brands 'reinvent' something when a really good version of it already exists — like the original Keds, for example, which the Row also made — because they know customers want a 'luxury' version of that item. In my opinion, buying something just because it's expensive often indicates you have no taste or conviction. JG This I agree with. I think we are in a grim moment in fashion where no one is really chancing a 'new' idea for a number of reasons — shareholder fears, brands being too big and no one really caring about who is designing, to name a few. We're being served supposedly 'elevated' versions of basics we might already own. Fans of the Row consider the Olsens themselves to be the epitome of chic, and I don't know the twins at all, but I can't fathom them spending $690 on flip-flops. I'd bet they're more likely to wear Havaianas. SB Havaianas are $30! MS The Row flip-flops embody a larger problem. We have seen sales at big groups like LVMH and Kering stagnate or decline as customers push back against seemingly normal objects being branded as luxury just because of a fancy name and high price. Even some of the wealthiest shoppers are retreating from these brands and feel like their money is better spent elsewhere. JG The Row has a blue chore jacket for sale right now, priced at $1,650. A similar one from France costs $100. The Row has tweaked the fit and fabric, made the buttons firmer. I could make the case that it improved upon the old version. SB I'm not saying all things from the Row are bogus, but these flip-flops feel like a stretch. JG The flip-flops might be the limit of this exercise in making the prosaic premium, but when we glorify celebrities for how much they make and what they spend on clothes, couldn't you say we're past the time of judging people's absurd purchases? SB Perhaps, but when I came upon the $690 flip-flops, I felt repulsed. JG I understand that feeling, but I also think we may be overlooking how much wealth there really is in this country. These flip-flops exist because there is a market for $690 flip-flops. SB I'm not debating that! But 'the market will support it' is an argument for nihilists and a critical dead end. You can (you must!) evaluate the merits of something beyond its market viability. JG I am not a nihilist. MS But you are team flip-flop? JG I understand the flip-flops. And I think the sugar high of blasting something for how much it costs burns off quickly in an environment where everything in luxury fashion costs so much. It's splitting hairs.
New York Times
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
When Sneakers Become Art
On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake produced a devastating tsunami that swept away entire towns along the coast of northern Japan. Otsuchi, in Iwate Prefecture, was one of them. According to official statistics, 1,271 lives were lost and more than half of the town's residential area was submerged during the disaster. Sashiko Gals, managed by Moonshot, a Japanese company that aims to take on social issues through design, is one of the many projects that has coalesced since the tsunami struck that aims to help victims. It was named for the traditional Japanese stitching method — sashiko — that its 15 workers use to upcycle secondhand sneakers, including New Balance, Vans, Converse, Nike and even Dr. Martens. The one-of-a-kind footwear can take as long as two weeks to create, and cost 200,000 yen, or $1,332, a pair. Since Sashiko Gals introduced its work in early 2024, the group has completed 100 pairs of sneakers, sold through stores in Tokyo and elsewhere that stock Kuon, a brand managed by Moonshot. The wait list for the sneakers has grown so long that the group is now accepting new orders only twice a year. But Edison Chen, the Hong Kong singer and actor, has a pair, as does Takahiro Moriuchi, best known as Taka, of the Japanese band One Ok Rock. 'The magic of Sashiko Gals is in how they transform ordinary sneakers into wearable art,' Jake Silbert wrote on the Highsnobiety site in December. 'Little Stabs' Sashiko, a word meaning 'little stabs,' is a patchwork technique akin to that used in traditional American quilting, and one of Japan's many methods of extending the life of items, such as kintsugi, the method of repairing broken items with gold, silver or other precious metals. Melanie Uematsu, a tailor and sewing teacher in Tokyo, wrote in an email that sashiko is a simple, but effective, skill: 'Children from age 3 or 4 can do it and even elderly people who are 104 can still do it.' Developed during the Edo Period (1603-1868), at a time when cotton products were scarce and costly, the method became popular because of its simplicity. All an artisan needs for sashiko is heavyweight cotton thread, a needle and scraps of fabric such as cotton or linen (the Sashiko Gals have been experimenting with using leather, too). Sashiko stitches can be placed in geometric patterns, such as stars or ripples, or appear just as a simple double stitch. At Sashiko Gals, stitching is done freehand and directly on the shoe, which can be harder than stitching, say, a tablecloth. Recently, Tomiko Goto was working on New Balances decorated with white and orange stitches in linear patterns. 'The fabric of this shoe is so hard, and you need strength to thread the needle through the material and pull it out,' she said. 'Sometimes I use pliers to pull the needle out.' Reconstruction On a snowy February day, I took a six-hour train ride north from central Tokyo and got off at Otsuchi's little station. The town itself was quiet, almost no one on the streets. I could see just a few rows of townhouses that were built with government support after the tsunami and a few shops. Later, I walked along the coastline and across a breakwater to Horaijima, a rocky island with a small shrine that survived the earthquake and has become a symbol of reconstruction. Yet, almost 15 years after the disaster, the town still hasn't fully recovered. 'There are no parks for children to play in and the town is full of vacant lots,' said Kaori Kurosawa, who manages Sashiko Gals on-site for Moonshot. Sashiko Gals operates with a crew of all women, some of whom learned the skill shortly after the tsunami, through one of the programs set up at an evacuation center to keep residents busy. Over time the number of needlewomen has risen and fallen; their output has included clothing, small accessories and household items. Moonshot became aware of the group in 2011 and supported them from the get-go. In 2024, the joint venture in sneakers was born. 'Sashiko Gals is not a brand, but a project involving artisans who have great sashiko techniques and stories to tell,' said Arata Fujiwara, the founder of Moonshot. 'We have been involved as a business, not as a charity, because we believe that long-term reconstruction assistance can only be provided through the 'business' of fashion.' Mr. Fujiwara came up with the business's name, combining the sewing term with a label he felt matched the women's lively behavior at work. There is no Japanese translation; everyone just calls them the Sashiko Gals. Needlework The women primarily work from home, but occasionally get together at the business headquarters, a brown and yellow two-level townhouse in the center of Otsuchi, for stitchery sessions and tea parties. While a few of them work on sashiko full-time, others have jobs so they are just part-time. On the day I visited the headquarters, a table in the main workroom displayed an array of pieces they had decorated with sashiko stitching, including a pair of Vans bearing the Sashiko Gals logo, the kanji character for needle; stuffed toys such as a Hello Kitty doll decorated in pink, red and floral fabrics; and clothes and baseball caps. Atsuko Sato, one of the three needlewomen present that day, showed me a pair of Converses covered with cotton pieces in different hues of blue and accented with some purple stitching. 'This kind of fabric is very soft, so it was not that difficult to sew on,' said Ms. Sato, 66. 'But later I started working on different materials, and some of them are very hard.' At that point, she indicated a pair of New Balance sneakers that she said had taken her colleague, Ruiko Ishii, a total of 23 hours to complete. Ms. Ishii, 79, who was also in the workroom that day, had worked as a laboratory technician before the tsunami. 'I lost almost everything, my home, my husband,' she said. 'I was desperate. I felt the worst in my life at the time.' She was one of the women who learned the technique at the evacuation center. 'I was not good at sewing,' she said, 'but I decided to try anyway. I was so overwhelmed by the atmosphere in the workshop. So welcoming, so loving, so calming. There, I found some hope.' Ms. Goto, 77, said she had found sashiko work to be very calming. 'Before that, although I was watching TV, I wasn't able to hear it really,' she said, referring to how hard it was to bypass all her worries. 'But when I started sewing, I could concentrate on it and I could forget about the experience I had gone through.' While she was talking, she had been busy using a long needle with a slightly curved end to stitch a pattern with multicolored thread onto a dark blue tablecloth dyed with indigo. The women said they did talk about how to spread the word about sashiko and ultimately perpetuate their project. Ms. Kurosawa said the group had conducted a one-day class in sashiko at a local high school, and also held workshops for students from other parts of Japan and overseas. 'The Great East Japan Earthquake made the town of Otsuchi known to the entire world, but I think it was quickly forgotten,' she said. 'I know a lot of people survived disasters all over the world. But I hope a lot of people will learn there is a way to recover, by creating a community like this one.' The women all agreed the group's camaraderie had been at least part of the reason that the project has endured. Ms. Goto used the Japanese word kizuna, meaning 'human connections.' 'Sharing those similar feelings with friends has helped me a lot,' she said. 'Everyone has had hardships, but without saying that out loud, they know what it feels like to go through it. That kind of strong emotions and connected feelings are very important in this project.' Ms. Ishii agreed: 'After losing my family, I learned how crucial it is to get involved with other people and to take care of other people, because you are not alone.'
