Radical News
Read articles, watch videos, learn more about our products past and present.
Yes! Journal
Behind The Scenes: A Key Ingredient To Our Design Process
A Radical Yes Promise: We Never Stop Wanting To Be Better. Whether it’s with the way we make our shoes, the contribution we can make by operating with sustainability as the framework, or consistently improving the way we serve our customers – we are an innovation led business. It was with this thinking in mind that we began investing in our own custom designed outsole molds back in 2019. Since that time we have designed and invested in three styles of proprietary outsole molds. While we always start with the consideration of style and aesthetic first, our designs evolve around the idea of building shoes that fit well and last longer. "We care as much about our product quality as we do about style. Pursuing best practice manufacturing techniques, constantly evolving our design knowledge and using the feedback loop from our customers IRL wear experiences - the philosophy of Flat Shoe Liberation is about so much more than just aesthetics.” Kerryn MoscickiFounder & CEO What makes our outsoles so radical? Getting the mix right. With a design process led by curiosity, we learnt that reducing sole abrasion to expand a shoes longevity, starts with improving the quality of the pouring materials being used on the outsoles. This includes things like using better quality rubbers and getting the right mix of plastic to rubber ratio. Too much rubber means outsoles can be too soft – too much plastic means they are heavier, brittle and lack shock absorption. A Visit to the outsole factory Go behind the scenes at our outsole factory to see some of the process of making our outsoles. Watch the video below. What’s on the inside that counts. The process of opening our own outsoles has also meant we could specify the things you don’t see – specifically the design of the internal coring that supports not just your foot, but also how the midsole section of the shoes performs. This helps reduce quality issues that arise from excess compression Opening our own molds has also meant we have been able to increase the height of the interior wall of the outsoles. This has the benefit of increasing the surface area for gluing the uppers to the outsoles reducing the likelihood of the soles coming apart from the upper. Our Design is Led By Customer Experience. See the finished products here.
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Why We Only Make Flat Shoes
"In the beginning it was based around my Yoga practice." Kerryn Moscicki Founder & Brand Director This was 2013. I was teaching Yoga and wanted a shoe I could wear to the studio with my leggings and an oversized trench that would allow me to continue my journey afterwards on to my ‘real’ job in fashion. I was dreaming up this shoe that would be neat, flexible and comfortable. That would not cause my lower back to ache and my hamstrings to shorten. I liked the idea of a multi-purpose shoe. Part pixie boot-part trainer. Part casual-part smart. This is where the lines of our very first shoe 'Abundance' were drawn from. A few years in we realised the flat shoe choice had become more than a pragmatic sartorial choice. Instead it had become something of a statement about where we had arrived as women in the modern world. A dozen times a week or maybe more we hear the same comment in The Fitting Salon – “I never wear heels anymore”. We like to call them shoes inspired by movement. Photos by Ben Sullivan. It is a reflection of the fact that as women we are mobile, active and conscious. In and out of cars, standing on trams, chasing after children, taking care of our loved ones, conjuring creative projects and literally walking our 10,000 steps a day. Women are the lightning rods that bring communities together and colour the world with magic. And so it emerged from this place, the idea that we now call ‘Flat Shoe Liberation’. It is an idea that gives women permission to come at the world from a truly grounded perspective. To be more in touch with the inner world of true self. Defined by what feels good as much as what looks good. A dozen times a week or maybe more we hear the same comment in The Fitting Salon – “I never wear heels anymore” "And so it emerged from this place, the idea that we now call ‘Flat Shoe Liberation" At Radical Yes, we believe a flat shoe can be both elegant and a bold statement. It can be sharp as much as it can be casual. But most importantly it can provide the foundation for living your most creative life. This is Radical Yes. "Flat Shoe Liberation...is an idea that gives women permission to come at the world from a truly grounded perspective. Shop Flat Shoe Liberation here.
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Why Did We Make A Bag Shaped Like A Croissant?
Why Did We Make A Bag Shaped Like A Croissant? The reason has nothing to do with our shop being next door to Bread Club (well maybe just a little)... Join us as we introduce our newest 'big bag' the Rainbow Tote. Made from recycled nylon and shaped like our favourite French pastry, we talk about three great 'end-uses' for this versatile new bag! Click below to watch the video... "With only one bag, you can change your outfit." - Sonia Rykiel See more bags here.
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Why Is The Sunny Boot Our Most Reviewed Shoe?
Today we are celebrating the return of the much loved Sunny Neoprene Pull On Boot - which is back in stock after selling out - and ask ourselves why we have never made a video about them when...they are our most reviewed shoe on our website!!?? We’ll explore the three reasons why we think this is by reading through some of your reviews! If you own Sunny boots - tell us what you love about them in the comments section of the YouTube video below👇 Watch the video here... See More Sunny Boots here...
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What Can I Fit In My Maximilian Dance Tote?
In our latest video, we do a ‘What’s In My Bag’ to see how much can fit in our new large Maximilian Dance Tote (do not try this at home - demonstrated by a professional). We also talk about why and how we designed this new style - and how it can double as a pillow or an umbrella (we like you to get the most out of our products)! We also need your help (because without your feedback there would be no videos) with a design question about a possible new bag style customers have been asking us for and whether we should make it. But you'll have to watch till the end and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Tune in and Stay Radical ✌️ "Always love it when I purchase something and begin using it straight away, and that is exactly what has happened with this bag. Have used it as carry on luggage, for the beach, going to the shops, and when heading into the office. So glad I chose this colour. It goes with absolutely everything. Love, love, love this bag." LeanneRadical Yes Customer See more bags here.
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Talking Shoe Care with Anna from 'On The Mend'
Aside from the important sustainability gains that are made when we care for our belongings, we have found something almost spiritual in caring for your shoes as a signifier for the way we carry ourselves with deliberate intention through life. It is a kind of physical manifestation of the ‘Hasten Slowly’ idea to slow down, take notice and take care and one of the reasons we created our own ‘Full Moon Blessing’ shoe care ritual. Join us on our YouTube channel as we talk all things shoe care with our personal shoe repair Guru, Anna from On the Mend.
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Something for You, Something for Your Community. Earth Day 2021.
April 22nd is Earth Day. But what is Earth Day and what are we doing about it? Read more to find out how you can help.
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5 Reasons Not To Wear The Same Shoes Every Day.
We get it. You love your new radical shoes and you want to wear them every waking hour of every day! While we absolutely design our shoes with everyday versatility and regular use in mind, they are not indestructible. So here's 5 important reasons why giving your shoes a rest between wears is just one step to giving them the longest life possible.
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Eternally Optimistic: On Outsole Molds and the Yoga of Shoemaking
We like to think of shoe-making is a lot like yoga. Your first expression of a pose is never your best. That’s why it’s called practice. It takes years of doing the same thing many times to train the body and even then it’s never static. You never ‘arrive’. So our process at Radical Yes is to always be looking for the ways we can outdo ourselves each and every time, to find our best expression of the shoe. Combined with the feedback and learnings we gain from our customers, it's the thinking that drove our latest collection.
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