Earth, Inc.'s Iconic Kalsø Earth® Shoes Groove Into Fall/Winter 2012

"Original Wellness Shoe" Sharpens Focus with Refreshingly Down-to-Earth Product Collection

Waltham, MA, August 2012 – The company that rejuvenated one of the iconic shoe labels from the 1970’s – a bit of historic memorabilia so recognized by being featured in New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art – is excited to announce today the launch of its new Fall / Winter 2012 collection.

Within the past year, Kalsø Earth Shoes have experienced a re-birth of sorts as the company has restored much of the original artwork that once defined the line including the original Kalsø Earth Shoe logo, the original packaging, and much of the nostalgic photography and imagery that historically set the brand
apart and established its uniqueness.

For Fall / Winter 2012, the new Kalsø Earth Shoe product line throws a respectful nod to the 70’s, but advances the contemporary look and feel of its assortment with silhouettes that inventively reflect throwback / retrotrends in the marketplace today, and underscore these looks with the trusted and enduring design of the “negative heel” footbed found in every Kalsø Earth Shoe.  The “negative heel” is what has largely entrenched the Kalsø Earth Shoe as the “original wellness shoe” and has stood the test of time, delivering the same wellness benefits today as it did more than 40 years ago.

Behind every Kalsø Earth Shoe is also the inspiration of its founder, Anne Kalsø.  The iconoclastic Danish yoga instructor envisioned a wellness ideal where the mind-body-soul connection one feelswhile practicing yoga could be carried over into an everyday existence.  Her shoes, and the “negative heel” concept, specifically sought to mirror the “Mountain Pose” popularized by yogis around the world.  By setting the heels slightly below the toes at a nominal incline, the wearer of Kalsø Earth Shoes is able to realize good-for-the-body benefits that range from improved posture and enhanced breathing, to reduced joint stress and back pain – much like one would experience in yoga practice.

As fashionable as they are functional, the new Fall / Winter 2012 collection seeks to invigorate the fanciful remembrances of those who popularized the original concept more than 40 years ago, while reaching a new, young, aspiring and wellness-oriented culture seeking the same attributes of wellness that have come to define the brand – with the added infusion of a fun, rugged-organic, aesthetic that now typifies
the line.

Earth, Inc.'s Iconic Kalsø Earth® Shoes Groove Into Fall/Winter 2012

"Original Wellness Shoe" Sharpens Focus with Refreshingly Down-to-Earth Product Collection

Waltham, MA, August 2012 – The company that rejuvenated one of the iconic shoe labels from the 1970’s – a bit of historic memorabilia so recognized by being featured in New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art – is excited to announce today the launch of its new Fall / Winter 2012 collection.

Within the past year, Kalsø Earth Shoes have experienced a re-birth of sorts as the company has restored much of the original artwork that once defined the line including the original Kalsø Earth Shoe logo, the original packaging, and much of the nostalgic photography and imagery that historically set the brand
apart and established its uniqueness.

For Fall / Winter 2012, the new Kalsø Earth Shoe product line throws a respectful nod to the 70’s, but advances the contemporary look and feel of its assortment with silhouettes that inventively reflect throwback / retrotrends in the marketplace today, and underscore these looks with the trusted and enduring design of the “negative heel” footbed found in every Kalsø Earth Shoe.  The “negative heel” is what has largely entrenched the Kalsø Earth Shoe as the “original wellness shoe” and has stood the test of time, delivering the same wellness benefits today as it did more than 40 years ago.

Behind every Kalsø Earth Shoe is also the inspiration of its founder, Anne Kalsø.  The iconoclastic Danish yoga instructor envisioned a wellness ideal where the mind-body-soul connection one feelswhile practicing yoga could be carried over into an everyday existence.  Her shoes, and the “negative heel” concept, specifically sought to mirror the “Mountain Pose” popularized by yogis around the world.  By setting the heels slightly below the toes at a nominal incline, the wearer of Kalsø Earth Shoes is able to realize good-for-the-body benefits that range from improved posture and enhanced breathing, to reduced joint stress and back pain – much like one would experience in yoga practice.

As fashionable as they are functional, the new Fall / Winter 2012 collection seeks to invigorate the fanciful remembrances of those who popularized the original concept more than 40 years ago, while reaching a new, young, aspiring and wellness-oriented culture seeking the same attributes of wellness that have come to define the brand – with the added infusion of a fun, rugged-organic, aesthetic that now typifies
the line.

Earth, Inc.'s Kalsø Earth® Shoes "Groove" Into Spring 2012

Original wellness shoe further "un-earths" its roots while still honoring past

What began in Fall / Winter 2011 with the re-vitalization of the original 1970's Kalsø Earth® Shoe logo for all Earth, Inc. "negative heel" product, is now extending in both spirit and intention to Spring / Summer 2012. The dynamic Spring / Summer line of Kalsø Earth Shoes features a respectful nod to its much-heralded past, and is newly infused with stylish updates and a fresh design aesthetic to create a very current, wellness lifestyle-based casual product assortment.

The Kalsø Earth Shoe story is one that goes back more than 40 years. It dates to the brainchild of a young Danish yoga instructor, Anne Kalsø, who envisioned that wellness – much like that experienced during the daily practice of yoga – could be perpetuated and extended into a day-to-day existence. In an attempt to animate this inspired vision, she set out to design the 'original wellness shoe', a shoe that simulated walking barefoot on the beach with a slight "negative heel" design to naturally re-distribute body weight. By the early 1970's, the concept of her shoe had seized the imagination of an entire youth movement, and became simply known as the Kalsø Earth Shoe. In recognition of its fashion icon status, the original Kalsø shoe is now memorialized in New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Leveraging the Earth, Inc. design team's sensibility in the areas of both design and production, the new Spring / Summer 2012 Kalsø Earth Shoe line features authentic, playful styles that are fun-spirited while throwing a subtle nod to the 1970's. Several casual trends in the footwear marketplace have been integrated into the design of the Spring / Summer 2012 Kalsø Earth Shoe line, highlighted by cut-out sandal booties, tribal-inspired gladiators and rattan-wrapped sandals. Several athleisure styles also incorporate bold color detailing and accents to add a sense of freshness and pop to the collection.

Gary Champion, President, states, "It's difficult to imagine a line that offers a greater opportunity for design creativity than Kalsø Earth Shoes. Consumers who care about living healthily and taking care of their bodies naturally exude a carefree spirit and energy. We set out to celebrate that energy, and the wellness attributes associated with Anne Kalsø's 'negative heel' design, in a very light, casual and fun way. What our Spring / Summer 2012 collection represents is an exciting and approachable assortment that heritage Kalsø wearers will relish, and consumers who may be new to the Kalsø concept will find pleasingly different."

Spring / Summer Kalsø Earth Shoes will be previewed in July / August 2011 to retailers at the FFaNY, WSA, Platform and Atlanta Shoe Market trade shows. With MSRPs ranging from $69 to $159 USD, the new collection will start shipping in December 2011. Noteworthy new styles in the line include:

The Eminent A cut-out bootie designed to rock any wardrobe from shorts to leggings.	The Empire Tribal-inspired color blocking and detailing distinguish this exotic gladiator.	The Enlighten Rich leathers combine with an espadrille bottom to produce a sandal that marches to its own beat.	The Prosper Bright accents and lightweight flexibility create a dream for the feet.

About Earth, Inc. and Earth^® Footwear* * Earth® is a brand of Earth, Inc. based in Waltham, Massachusetts (USA). For more information about the Earth, Inc. brand portfolio, please visit earthbrands.com. All media inquiries may be directed to Katie Kangas at 781.547.4417 or katie.kangas@earthbrands.com.

Earth, Inc. "Un-Earths" Its Roots!

Re-Introducing The Original Kalsø Earth® Shoe Logo For All Fall '11 "Negative Heel" Product

Going into the Fall 2011 season, Earth, Inc. is paying homage to its company roots and heritage by re-introducing the original 1970's Kalsø Earth® Shoes logo on the sock linings of all new "negative heel" seasonal product.

Original Kalsø Earth® Shoe logo Featured on all FW'11 "Negative Heel" Product

The move honors a story that goes back more than 40 years. Anne Kalsø, a Danish yoga instructor, made the insightful observation that the daily raising of the toes relative to the heels could actually help people attain a physical feeling of wellness like that experienced in the yoga position – 'Mountain' pose (Tadasana). Inspired by the thought that wellness, in its most organic form, could be part of an everyday experience, she set out to develop the very first Kalsø Earth® Shoe.

From those passionate beginnings now thrives an expansive collection of casual wellness footwear, known over the past 10 years as simply "Earth" Footwear. Acknowledging the exciting transition for Fall, Gary Champion, President of Earth Inc., asserts, "Kalsø Earth® Shoes are truly the heritage of our company – the authentic reasoning behind why we exist as a wellness-based branded enterprise. It's the natural starting point, and grounding of the Earth, Inc. branded portfolio as we know it today. We're very proud of that".

As the original wellness shoe, every Kalsø Earth® Shoe features the proven 'negative heel' design, a slight sole incline that naturally re-positions the body. Kalsø Earth® Shoes are flanked by Earth, Inc.'s Earthies® line, which is a collection of heels and wedges, newly introduced in Spring 2011, and positioned within the marketplace appropriately as 'Wellness. Elevated."

For many loyal followers of Kalsø Earth® Shoes, the logo shift for Fall will be a major blast-from-the-past and will be sure to strike a nostalgic chord. For those too young to know (or remember) the original Kalsø Earth® Shoe, the move will welcome a cool "new" look, and shoe that's re-asserting itself as a retro-vintage brand. Kalsø Earth® Shoes have never strayed from their heritage as a whole-body wellness shoe, grounded in their "negative-heel" design approach that helps to promote improved posture and reduced joint stress – all while offering a unique aesthetic that has been contemporized over time, and yet still retains much of its 1970's design sensibility.

Prepare to experience some major 70's flashbacks – back to the days when Kalsø Earth® Shoes ruled the feet of college kids from New York to Denmark. Kalsø Earth® Shoes have been un-earthed!

About Earth, Inc. and Earth^® Footwear* * Earth® is a brand of Earth, Inc. based in Waltham, Massachusetts (USA). For more information about the Earth, Inc. brand portfolio, please visit earthbrands.com. All media inquiries may be directed to Katie Kangas at 781.547.4417 or katie.kangas@earthbrands.com.