Crocs will be 'stylish' part of Olympic uniform

Sunday Star Times

Last updated 23:06 12/04/2008

The New Zealand O)lympics team will sport Crocs around the Olympic village.

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Shoes from Crocs, the much-maligned plastic clog manufacturer, will be worn by New Zealand Olympians as part of their official uniform - a decision that has appalled prominent fashionistas.

Female athletes will wear the "sueded alice" model - a suede-topped, plastic-soled shoe - for the opening ceremony and all athletes will wear the "beach" model - a version of the famous plastic slipper with holes in - around the games village.

Olympic chef de mission Dave Currie confirmed the sueded alice Crocs would form part of the official uniform being unveiled at a function at an Auckland winery on April 30. He said the opening ceremony Crocs would be "very stylish" and "not the ones with the holes in them", and an athlete design panel had collaborated on the uniform choice, which he described as "sensational".

However, fashion designer Denise L'Estrange Corbet says she is horrified the Olympic athletes will wear Crocs.

"They are the ugliest piece of footwear ever invented. I know people who wear them say they are comfortable, but I'm sure there are more comfortable shoes that you can put on your feet to make your feet look attractive, not the ugliest, widest green feet on the planet.

"They are actually one thing I would like to put in a pile and blow up." She says a New Zealand-designed shoe would be more appropriate.

"All the other Olympic teams will look smart and wear trainers, and we'll be plodding along with these big, plastic, ugly, hideous, vile things. They are so ugly they should be banned. You might as well put a couple of bricks on your feet," she said.

Designer Jane Daniels wouldn't comment on the Olympic shoes but thought the original Crocs would join a host of other fashion nightmares from recent years.

"I'm sure people will look back on this era and wonder what we were thinking with long, baggy shorts, heavy footwear and Crocs."

John Robertson, the sales director for New Zealand women's shoe manufacturer Kumfs, says he doesn't have a particular problem with Crocs or the fact they are made overseas, because 98% of the country's shoes are not manufactured in New Zealand.

"But it would have been nice to have a shot at supplying [the female athletes]," he said.

Crocs have been attacked not only as a style disaster, but also for creating static electricity shocks, getting caught in escalators and being too dangerous for hospital staff to wear.

Originally invented in 2002 by three Americans as a boat shoe, they went worldwide the following year and finally reached New Zealand in 2005.

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42 comments

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Potzzz #42 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

They are ugly things, they melt in the heat (which, it is very hot in Beijing, and they feel akward!!! They should at least be able to wear whatever shoes they want!!!!

Lynda Dowling #41 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

You will be happy to know a VERY happy customer of your sandals turned up during my Lavender Harvest raving about her (of course) purple sandals YOU had made her! They are gorgeous>>> How can I get my own pair? Hers were to small to confiscate for me...hee hee I will put miles on them on my farm, no olympics required~ July 29th 2008 LYNDA Happy Valley Lavender, Victoria, BC, Canada

Jane #40 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Dave Currie, crocs ARE NOT stylish and all those who harp on about how comfy they are - I don't care! These things are hideous. And I'm with Ruud - support NZ made, if given the opportunity I'm sure smart NZ designers could have collaberated and come up with a stylish, apprioprate shoe.

Sue #39 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

For goodness sake, kiwis get a brain! and get a standard, and make us proud to be kiwis! these shoes are the ugliest things I have ever seen, cheap and nasty is the only way I can describe them. and the uniform? say no more! what a laughing stock we are going to be, UGLY AND BORING! It's about time we started caring what we look like, instead of 'any old thing will do'! I too like being casual, but I still like certain standards and always try to look smart, casual or not! So come on, pull your socks up!!!

Peter C #38 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

As this news has been published worldwide, the word started to laugh already and they will laugh more at the time of the Olympics. Come on New Zealand, you can do better than that!

Buy Kiwi and we've got it made!

Jo Couchman #37 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Crocs are by far the most comfortable and practical shoe I or my family have ever had. I think it is a brilliant choice.

milly #36 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

What is this madness! Crocs are revolting, I will remain on my high horse thank you! Maybe the olympics are not a fashion event, but that is no reason to have the rest of the world laughing at our ghastly footware, a fashion faux pas that will haunt us for years to come.

Next time we can wear jandles and stubbies, which are just as comfortable and stylish.

Shudder

Jiani #35 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Oh the world will be amused... and hopefully worldwidely people share the same sense of humor :P

Don Harris #34 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Hi! my name is Don, maker of "Korkers" a small Sandal Co. made in Nelson. I am disgusted to see that our Olympians will be wearing "crocs", surely the Olympic Committee should have our Athletes in New Zealand made footwear. There is currently running a T.V. Campaign "BUY KIWI and WE'VE GOT IT MADE" where are their Loyalties? I agree with Denise L'Estrange Corbet. What a let down. Our athletes will be the laughing stock of the opening ceremony.

tee #33 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

hahahahaa what a joke. i am embarassed. and even more embarassed for my friend who will have to wear them.

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