Footwear Crisis 2025: Inside China’s Factories & the Future of Shoe Sourcing

Frontline Footwear Sourcing Report

Shoemakers Academy Frontline Footwear Sourcing Report I recently spent three weeks in China, engaging with clients and factories who are grappling with the challenges of serving customers in the current, unpredictable tariff environment. The situation in footwear sourcing is exceptionally challenging, with many industry professionals […]

Expert Shoe Consulting Services for Your Footwear Business

Who is Wade Motawi : The Shoe Dog

Wade Motawi Shoemaking Expert, Author & Founder Shoemakers Academy Wade Motawi, affectionately known as “The Shoe Dog,” is a veteran footwear designer, developer, and educator with over 30 years of experience in the global shoe industry. Holding an Industrial Design degree from the University of […]

The global footwear sourcing landscape is undergoing rapid and disruptive changes due to evolving tariff policies. With tariffs already imposed on footwear imported from China—and similar measures now targeting Mexico—two of the industry’s most established and cost-efficient manufacturing bases are becoming increasingly unviable.

Impact of Footwear Tariffs on Global Sourcing

Addressing the Current Footwear Tariff Impact The global footwear sourcing landscape is undergoing rapid and disruptive changes due to evolving tariff policies. With tariffs already imposed on footwear imported from China—and similar measures now targeting Mexico—two of the industry’s most established and cost-efficient manufacturing bases […]

how to board last shoes at home homemade board lasting shoe method

DIY Shoemaking: How to board last a shoe

Board Lasting Shoes Part 1 https://vimeo.com/1061402389 ​Board lasting is a traditional shoemaking technique where a firm insole board—often made of fiberboard or Texon—is attached to the shoe’s upper before the outsole is applied. This method provides a stable and supportive base, making it ideal for […]

DIY Quilted Sneaker Kit for making custom handmade fabric sneakers – perfect for crafters and quilters.

How to Make Quilted Sneakers

The Perfect Kits for Quilted Sneakers A Must-Have for DIY Shoemakers If you love quilting and sneakers, why not combine the two? Quilted sneakers are a fun and stylish way to express your creativity, and with the Sneaker DIY Starter Kit from Shoemakers Academy, bringing […]

Footwear Tooling Design Guide The Complete Guide for the Design, Development, Costing and Manufacturing of footwear tooling.

Footwear Tooling Design Guide

The Footwear Tooling Design Guide: The One Book Every Shoe Professional Needs  In the world of footwear design and manufacturing, tooling is the foundation of every great shoe. Without the right molds, dies, and production equipment, even the most innovative designs will fail to translate […]