GREAT FOOTWEAR
GREAT BRANDS
Concept 21 is a global strategy and design consultancy in the footwear industry. We bring iconic ideas to market for our clients by providing a fresh perspective that expands your brand's potential. We believe that each brand must have its own unique voice, great design is paramount, and commercializing great footwear concepts is an artform.
Services
We are instigators of inspiration who utilize our deep understanding of the market and its consumers to provide world-class strategy and design for our clients. As footwear alchemist, we are passionate about building excellent product. Our goal is to turn impactful concepts into reality. Here is how we do it:
We guide our clients to create their unique voice in a crowded marketplace. A strong brand image and voice are critical key differentiators that sets your brand apart from others. Concept 21 works with individuals, teams... Continue Reading →
We provide in-depth analysis of footwear trends and high-level consumer trends for our clients. Information contained in Concept 21 trend reports is essential for quickly understanding market trends, developing product.... Continue Reading →
We design footwear that connects with people on an emotional and functional level. Our concepts, design and products reinvent categories and brands our clients emerge as leaders in the industry. Great iconic design is our passion...Continue Reading →
We move products to market quickly and efficiently by leveraging our 40+ years of experience building footwear and our exclusive relationships with manufacturing facilities and suppliers. Taking concepts off the page and creating... Continue Reading →
We fulfill production needs for our clients through our extensive partnerships with factories and suppliers across the globe. Matching the right manufacturer to serve our clients needs is essential to producing successful product...Continue Reading →
We offer logistics services to ensure shipment of product from factories to dock to clearing customs and delivery to distribution centers. Our internal team has the knowledge and relationships to ensure shipping product...Continue Reading →
About
At Concept 21, our passion for footwear runs deep. Established by pioneers of the industry, the consultancy was founded on delivering breakthrough concepts. Innovation, creativity, and inspiration are some of the principal tenants that Concept 21 delivers through their creative department. Coupled with a team in China responsible for making these ideas a reality, Concept 21 has the extensive relationships, experience, and abilities to bring any footwear project to life. Learn More →
It all started with an urgent email from the top executives at Anta, China’s largest athletic company. They had a new opportunity that would put their brand in the international spotlight and wanted Concept 21 to make it happen.
Brent James, Founder and COO, shares his thoughts on the recent move into Concept 21's new headquarters and the future of the company.
A sample from our first chapter of the 2017 Footwear Impact Report.
Has the performance of basketball shoes been compromised by style? Is the low top trend really good for basketball players, and why isn't performance central to basketball shoes? Join us as we take time to reflect.
With the recent series of bankruptcies of major retailers and the rising popularity of online shopping, what will come of the brick-and-mortar retail space? We see an opportunity for serious disruption in this space and would like to share some of our more wild ideas.
With the recent release of several production shoes featuring 3D printed components, I have been asking myself if this is really the future of shoes. In the spirit of inquiry, lets pull back the veil and see what this is all really about.
How adopting a beginner's mindset allowed us to create innovative apparel concepts for Salomon in the 1990's. We share our learnings on how we pushed the boundary of conventional thinking.
An exclusive insight into how to create unique design concepts. Join us as we share our design process, and how we utilize inspiration to spark creativity.
Having a clear understanding of this is essential to building a strong brand that connects with customers. In today’s world, there is no tolerance for weak brands. Over the years we have seen some epic brands get buried in the noise as a result of reacting to market trends...