The Social Lives of Shoes

Footwear Research Network
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What if shoes could speak? The Social Lives of Shoes explores one of the most underestimated aspects of consumer culture through conversations with the people who design, make, study, and wear footwear. Hosts Dr. Alexandra Sherlock and Dr. Emily Brayshaw uncover how shoes reflect our values, impact our world, and offer possibilities for more sustainable futures.

Episodes

  1. 3. What Makes a Shoe Iconic? Birkenstock and Clarks Originals

    JAN 29

    3. What Makes a Shoe Iconic? Birkenstock and Clarks Originals

    What makes a shoe iconic, and what can iconic shoes teach us about sustainability, design, and cultural exchange? Dr. Emily Brayshaw and Dr. Alexandra Sherlock bring together their research on Birkenstock and Clarks Originals to explore how shoes become long-lasting cultural objects. This conversation traces the journey of the Arizona sandal and Desert Boot from their origins in post-war German design philosophies and African cultures to their unexpected adoption by communities worldwide, from Jamaican musicians to Sydney's lesbian scene, from Silicon Valley's Steve Jobs to Gen Z's comfort revolution. Emily and Alex discuss the role of business archives in authentic storytelling, how costume designers deploy shoes as narrative devices in film, why different shoes require different sustainability approaches, from repair programs for emotionally durable icons to biodegradable materials for more ephemeral styles, and how brands should listen to culture rather than trying to control it. Drawing on Appadurai and Kopytoff's theories of things in motion, they reveal how following shoes' social lives and biographies illuminates human values and creates pathways to meaningful, relevant and sustainable design. Chapters: 00:00 - Show Intro00:49 - Episode Introduction02:28 - Acknowledgment of Country - An Explainer for International Listeners05:56 - The Social Lives of Clarks Originals and Birkenstocks07:17 - Research Foundations: Clarks and Cultural Sustainability08:39 - Archetypes: The Arizona and the Desert Boot10:41 - Post-War Design Philosophy: Form Follows Function14:07 - Steve Jobs and the Power of Simplicity16:22 - Counterculture: From Hippies to Tech Visionaries20:40 - Archives and Anniversary Books23:13 - The Alfred Gillett Trust: Preserving Heritage26:19 - Icons Without Advertising28:02 - Queer Birkenstocks: Sydney's Lesbian Community31:10 - Jamaica Claims the Desert Boot32:15 - Hippies, Grunge, Gen Z: Meanings That Don't Compete34:22 - Sticky Objects: Shoes That Attract Communities35:05 - Ageless and Timeless: From 7 to 7036:31 - Wu-Tang and Granddad: Cross-Generational Appeal41:21 - Jamaica and Authentic Storytelling44:05 - When Shoes Become Cultural Objects44:32 - Costume design and characterisation44:42 - Costume Design: Shoes as Narrative Devices49:08 - The Symbolic Power of Footwear49:38 - Brands as Listeners: The Importance of Cultural Capital50:54 - World Shoes52:29 - Cultural Exchange and Collaboration54:33 - Gen Z, Authenticity, and Finding Your Tribe54:45 - Building Cultural Capital55:29 - Sustainability Through Meaning55:42 - Accidentally Sustainable56:56 - Repair, Patina, and Memory59:15 - Horses for Courses: Different Models for Different Shoes01:00:01 - A Social Lives Methodology: Following the Things Themselves01:02:45 - Episode Outro Credits: Presenters: Dr. Alexandra Sherlock and Dr. Emily Brayshaw Editor: Dr. Alexandra Sherlock Show notes and photographs: www.footwearresearchnetwork.org

    1h 3m
  2. 2. Storytelling Through Shoes: Art, Activism and Social Change with Jo Cope

    JAN 16

    2. Storytelling Through Shoes: Art, Activism and Social Change with Jo Cope

    In this episode of the Social Lives of Shoes with Dr. Alexandra Sherlock, contemporary fashion artist Jo Cope joins us to explore shoes as powerful vessels for storytelling and social change. From her collaborative project with Shelter addressing homelessness to her evocative twisted stilettos embodying feminist struggles, Jo reveals how craft and performance art can create empathy and drive meaningful dialogue. We discuss her therapeutic making process, the political power of red shoes, and how footwear can connect communities through shared experience. Jo shares insights from teaching ethical social practice and her current reflections on using art to navigate our challenging political climate—all through the humble yet profound medium of shoes. Credits: Interviewee: Jo Cope Interviewer & Presenter: Dr. Alexandra Sherlock Editor: Dr. Alexandra Sherlock Podcast Photograph:  Links & Images: Available at Footwear Research Network Chapters: 00:00 - Show Intro00:47 - Episode Intro: Jo Cope02:55 - The Power of Shoes as Storytellers04:29 - Jo Cope's Artistic Journey and Philosophy06:52 - An unexpected Trojan horse08:19 - Personal Experiences with Shoes10:28 - Educational Journey and Training15:21 - Family Legacy16:39 - Social Justice and Community Engagement through Shoes and Art20:16 - Shoes Have Names: Jo Cope x Shelter27:22 - Exploring Femininity and Feminism through Shoes32:27 - The Colour Red and Taking up Space34:54 - Movement and Performance in Shoe Design37:11 - Transformative Experiences Through Shoes40:03 - Collectivism and Connection Through Interactive Art41:45 - Social Connection and Authentic Storytelling45:47 - Hand Craft vs. Digital Technology in Shoe Making50:32 - The Importance of Reflection in Creative Practice52:53 - Teaching Ethical Social Practice56:42 - Social Practice as Collaborative Learning58:35 - Future Plans and the Creative Process01:00:51 - Conclusionwww.footwearresearchnetwork.org

    1h 2m
  3. 1. Bespoke Insights with Gabriele Gmeiner

    12/24/2025

    1. Bespoke Insights with Gabriele Gmeiner

    What motivates people to commission a bespoke pair of shoes? What insights does the bespoke model offer into the importance of storytelling, customer loyalty, supply chain transparency, and design for repair? These questions, and more, are explored in this interview with bespoke shoemaker Gabriele Gmeiner in her Venice workshop. Chapters:  00:00 - Show intro01:00 - Episode Overview03:19 - Journey to Bespoke Shoemaking08:16 - Craftsmanship and Materiality10:47 - The Story Behind Each Shoe16:44 - Understanding the Customer's Needs19:05 - The Value of Bespoke Shoes27:25 - The Future of Shoemaking32:10 - Cultural Identity and Craftsmanship37:00 - Walking in Venice: A Unique Experience42:52 - Outro and Acknowledgement of Countrywww.footwearresearchnetwork.org

    44 min

  4. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Trailer - The Social Lives of Shoes - A Podcast by the Footwear Research Network

    Dr. Alexandra Sherlock and Dr. Emily Brayshaw of the Footwear Research Network introduce the Social Lives of Shoes podcast. Visit https://footwearresearchnetwork.org/podcast for show notes, links, photographs and transcripts. www.footwearresearchnetwork.org

    2 min

Trailer

About

What if shoes could speak? The Social Lives of Shoes explores one of the most underestimated aspects of consumer culture through conversations with the people who design, make, study, and wear footwear. Hosts Dr. Alexandra Sherlock and Dr. Emily Brayshaw uncover how shoes reflect our values, impact our world, and offer possibilities for more sustainable futures.

Information

  • Creator
    Footwear Research Network
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Footwear Research Network
  • Show Website
    The Social Lives of Shoes