Technology Meets Style

Rhea Footwear thanks everyone who participated in our #RHEAsummer2016 instagram challenge! Due to a large volume of participants, we've created our next summer challenge for you. We want to see how YOU stay active and healthy this summer. 

Hashtag #RHEActive in an instagram photo of you doing any type of fitness activity (sports, beach workouts, fitness classes, group exercises + more). Multiple entries are accepted and encouraged!

At Rhea, we think it's important to incorporate fitness activities into your everyday life and even more importantly, to make it fun and interactive. Rhea Footwear's mission is to make any activity or adventure fun and SAFE. So grab your family and friends and get #RHEActive with us! We will choose three lucky winners on Tuesday 8/23. 

Rhea Footwear is invested in safety and slip and fall prevention in any and all activities. Rhea Footwear combines an exclusive rubber compound and patented outsole with a micro-tread pattern to channel out liquids and provide maximum contact with the surface. 

There is nothing like fun in the sun with good company and amazing weather. We've put together a list of essential summer go-to's and must-have items for you to take on all of your adventures! 

SUNSCREEN 

Whether or not you burn in the sun, sunscreen can help reduce skin damage from the sun altogether. It's important to keep sunscreen with you, especially if you find yourself outdoors often! Keep your summer activities fun and safe by protecting your skin!

EYEWEAR

Your skin isn't the only thing that needs protection. Proper sunglasses can help protect the eyes from harmful UV rays. Stay safe and stylish with a pair of good shades. 

WATER BOTTLE 

My favorite accessory. I take my reusable water bottle everywhere I go because it limits  the usage of plastic water bottles, and helps me stay hydrated all day long! It can also save you a few dollars a day if you usually buy bottled water on the go. 

DISPOSABLE/ POLAROID CAMERA

Be ready to capture life's wonderful moments on film! I love having a disposable camera on me so I can have a few printable photos at the end of the summer. They're great to keep, add to a small gift or string up on a wall!

A BOOK OR MAGAZINE

I love to keep at least one book or magazine, along with my journal and planner with me. You'll never know when you need to jot something down, or when the long summer day calls for a reading break. At the beach, by the pool or sitting in traffic- a  book is always good to have!

GOOD SHOES

Good shoes are a MUST HAVE for any and all summer outings. Shoes are your foundation and support for adventures and activities, and help you stay on your feet during the loveliest season of the year. Rhea Footwear's non-slip sandals combine fashion and function with NeverSlip technology. This is how Rhea does beach days: 

In case you haven't yet seen what Rhea Footwear sandals can do, check out this short video:

Hershy Petty is a familiar face on the West Side. Whether he's on a beach run, strolling down the canals or managing the floor at local restaurant LEONA in Venice Beach, he makes his presence known and appreciated. 

Easygoing and personable, Hershy tells us that it's the people part of the business that's got him hooked. People come to the restaurant to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or to grab a few drinks after a long day at work. They come around looking for a good time. 

This isn't Hershy's first restaurant in Venice. He previously worked at an upscale restaurant on Abbot Kinney, so we asked him what makes the food culture in Venice so special. 

"I believe our food culture on the West Side is driven by our clientele. They’re young, hip and they’ve got a lot of money. If the food is locally sourced, ethically harvested and socially responsible, they’re willing to pay more for it."

The world of food and food culture speaks a lot about the people and the place from which it blossoms, and LEONA is product of that. The team behind LEONA stays current with the style and trends of Venice while also aligning with the needs and wants of the community. 

Hershy describes the clientele at LEONA as connected to and invested in their community. Hershy's team integrates this into the restaurant by hosting events such as beach cleanup days, participating in a local inter-restaurant soccer league, and #HashtagLunchbag (where they made and distributed lunchbags to local homeless people on the beach and pier). 

The interconnectedness of LEONA and its community is reflected in the lively atmosphere of the restaurant on a busy night. Locals and neighbors excitedly return to share the weekly special with a new friend, to stop in and chat with Chef Nyesha, or to just have a glass of wine at the bar. Hershy makes it his duty to make everyone, visitors and locals alike, feel right at home once they step through the doors.

"I treat every table like they're a guest at my party. Pretend like it's a wedding; as you move around, every table must feel your presence and know that you want them there."

Just a block from the beach, LEONA is an exciting place to be. Hershy prides himself in reflecting the feel of the restaurant in his choice of attire every shift. While it's his job to pay attention and guide the guests' experiences, he notes that they're also paying attention. 

"They appreciate the shirt you got from Scotch and Soda, or a haircut you got at Rudy’s Barbershop on Main Street. It’s a way to feel good about yourself while also showcasing the other businesses in your community."

While staying on top of the latest trends is an exciting and crucial part of the job, it's just as important for his style of dress to be practical and supportive. Hershy claims that shoes are everything in the restaurant industry. Without proper footwear to support 10-12 hour days, it's impossible to work efficiently. He admits that shoes are usually the hardest part of the outfit because they must have a balance between comfort, durability and utility. 

The ideal restaurant shoe not is not only supportive and durable, but also must have premium non slip features to prevent dangerous slip and fall accidents. As a manager, Hershy has witnessed many accidents due to inappropriate footwear and actually requires his team to wear closed toed, non slip shoes. We asked if Hershy believed that a shoe could be both reliable and safe, while also meeting his style standards. 

"Not since a good friend of mine shared Rhea Footwear shoes with me, did I think I could wear something as elegant and elevated in fashion and also serve me in both front and back of house duties. I don’t have to worry when walking back and forth out of the kitchen; I know I’m going to be safe and look good."

So the verdict is in and Hershy more than approves of our NeverSlip technology that is so brilliantly paired with a stylish and elegant design. In the heart of Venice, Hershy Petty and the team at LEONA push food culture forward by connecting people, sharing food and going above and beyond style standards. 

Looking to heat up your summer? Get involved in our summer instagram challenge! Mention @rheafootwear and hashtag #RHEASUMMER2016 in any summer lifestyle photo! We will select ONE lucky winner at random and send over their very own pair of non-slip Rhea Footwear sandals to enjoy the summer in. 

Multiple posts per user are acceptable and encouraged! We look forward to seeing what you're up to this summer so GET CREATIVE. A winner will be chosen two weeks from today on 7/27. 

One of the leading causes of injury in the United States are slip and fall accidents. For professional athletes, these easily preventable injuries can seriously impact their careers. Specifically, the following athletes have injured themselves by slipping in the shower and training facilities. 

Just about six months ago, Falcons rookie running back Tevin Coleman suffered a concussion after slipping in the team's facility showers. Earlier that week, there was talk about using the promising running back in a big game but his shower accident called for a change of plans. 

Last fall, Canadian tennis player Genie Bouchard suffered a similar accident. In a dark training room with no one else in the building, Genie came across a wet spot on the floor and slipped, causing a serious concussion. Bouchard was forced to withdraw from the U.S. open the following week because of her injury. 

A couple years ago, Celtics player Rajon Rondo broke his hand in (yet again) a slip and fall shower accident. At the media day when reporters bombarded Rajon with questions regarding his injury, the Celtics president of operations Danny Ainge admitted that he too had recently faced a head injury after slipping in the shower. All in all, shower injuries from slip and fall accidents are very common and can adversely affect a professional athlete's career. 

Shower accidents happen. Could these athletes have somehow avoided their damaging injuries? The answer is yes. Shower sandals are a proven deterrent to injuries due to slippery surfaces. 

Rhea Footwear is scheduled to release a shower sandal this summer that is the ultimate preventative measure against shower injuries. With a grip-tech sole that combines an exclusive rubber compound and a patented micro-channel tread, these sandals will grip the on the most extreme slippery conditions. 

Even further suitable for shower environments, the shower sandals have drainage holes to prevent puddling at the feet and also include anti-microbial materials to protect from disease and illness found on most bathroom floors. 

Slip and fall accidents are a common and serious issue that all athletes should be aware of. Gyms, training rooms, locker rooms and communal shower facilities can be the next site of major injury if preventative action is not taken. Stay tuned for information regarding our soon to be released shower sandals.