You have questions, We have answers

Good mate Mark Marovich, founder of The Greener Blue, wanted to pick our brain a bit. He delivered us some questions...hoping to get a deeper scope of IndoSole. We decided that no person was better suited for such a task than IndoSole's production manager / co-founder, Faye Middleton. click link below for interview

THE GREENER BLUE INTERVIEW

The following is just a brief introduction into The Greener Blue. If you have not yet been to this website, we're casting a spell on you until you check it!


When not working for the man, I enjoy surfing. Although my preferred activity doesn't seem to be threatening to the environment from the casual onlooker, referring surfing to a natural art form is a paradox. Surfboards are constructed from polystyrene, wetsuits are PVC based and well, that white stuff that is rubbed onto the board is petroleum based with synthetic rubbers. We make the attempt to live a carbon free life. Avoid certain items here and there, yet we still encounter the evils of pollution, forest degradation......

Companies and shapers in the surf industry have begun to realize that technology is advancing in a way to combat some of their past negligence thus newly sustainable substitutes have revolutionized the way we perceive surf products. For example, we have a choice between polystyrene or reclaimed / sustainably harvested wood for a surfboard. We must give credit to sustainable information portals like The Greener Blue. It has given us a new way to see surfing through a green lens.

Batik Day

Work It.

October 2nd was National Batik Day in Indonesia. You may be unaware of batik, a cloth that traditionally uses wax resist dying technique and dates back to the 4th century. Not much of batik fabric has surfaced in the states; however, it's cultural identity among Indonesians in their homeland. Batik is used to make sarongs, kebaya dresses and even babies are intentionally wrapped in this cloth to bring good luck through infancy.



Batik is making a strong presence in the 21st century since many Indonesian fashion designers are constructing collections with batik being the focal fabric. During Jakarta's Fashion Week in 2010 and 2011, the runways were strutted with batik. So, the next time you grab that "dakine" button up for Aloha Friday, IndoSole wants you to consider batik as an option. Yew

The end of Bali's oil burning power plants

We are stoked to relay the news that all of Bali's oil burning power plants will soon be converted to a cleaner alternative, natural gas. This is truly a major environmental initiative for Bali since many innovative and benefiting programs can easily get lost in Jakarta politics. The program, Bali Interim Gas Distribution, will focus on implementing modern generators that operate on natural gas. The current outdated generators depend on diesel fuel thus has created mass pollution since Bali's energy consumption percentages have exponentially increased due to both a rise in population and tourism. This cleaner energy initiative will begin this September.



Although we would love Bali to operate on 100% clean energy such as solar, this mandate to switch from diesel to natural gas is a paramount step in the right direction. Even if you have never been to Bali, its natural beauty is known so lets continue to respect the island. IndoSole was founded on strong values that cherish Bali's beauty hence we have chosen to use no fuel powered machinery in our workshops.

Ombak Film Festival

We are proud to announce a partnership with Ombak Bali Surf Film Festival July 20 - July 23. IndoSole presents Protect Our Waves, UK in its Asian premiere.

artwork done by Kellen Breen

IndoSole's presence in Bali continues to grow. Our latest media hit is a product check-out in the popular "Lines Magazine" which is a staple Indonesian publication which circulates local surf shops and beyond. We are simply stoked on this exposure! Big props to our Bali local marketing and sales crew, Menikmati Distribution.

View the article here

With much anticipation and equally as much pride, IndoSole would like to introduce our upcoming print advertisement which will appear in the June 2011 issue of Surf Time Magazine. Makasi banyak and Thanks to our Bali Team and Surf Time Magazine

Although we're not directly linked together, we like to think that IndoSole and Deus are a collective that share the same stoke for motorbike exploration, music, art and surfing. This crew brings heaps of enthusiasm to our shared town of Canggu, Bali and IndoSole always feels the reprecussions of their hosted parties. Mega shout out to our Bali wrecking crew over at the Temple of Enthusiasm!

Deus Dress Up Drags from Deus ex Machina on Vimeo.

Recent media hits that we are proud of.....

Check out the story at Surf Time

Check out the story at www.revoltinstyle.com - San Diego, CA's classic surf and urban lifestyle mag

Our good friends over at Live Agape have spearheaded a marketing campaign called "Sole Surfers" which focuses on young people who have positive influence in their communities. The first piece goes out to Gede "JUN" Juniartha who is a young Bali surfer with a dream. Jun's goal is to influence his friends to get an education, preserve local beaches, and to also support IndoSole's efforts of re-purposing trash in Bali. If you know of a "Sole Surfer" in your community...please introduce him/her to us...indo@indosole.com

Sole Surfer - JUN from IndoSole on Vimeo.

The anticipation is almost over. BALI: Art, Ritual, Performance is premiering tomorrow night at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. The opening night is going to include Balinese performances and music, work shop stations and of course the 131 art collections from the island. From what we have been hearing on streets, it's going to be a packed house. The weather is scheduled to be frigid in SF (maybe snow) so why not grab a beer and teleport to Bali.

http://sf.funcheap.com/matcha-temple-dances-bali-exhibit-sneak-preview-asian-art-museum/

Although we proclaim San Francisco as our home, Bali is our true passion. When experiencing all the obstacles of operating a business, our small, tight knit crew is able to reflect on each other's euphoric Bali tales for mental clarity. IndoSole could not be more stoked to announce that many of the same elements in our Bali tales are coming to San Francisco, CA! The Asian Art Museum in SF is proudly hosting BALI: Art, Ritual, Performance. http://www.asianart.org/bali.htm

The exhibition will include a variety of art mediums along with many featured artists so viewers can understand the context in which they were constructed and their significance. 131 artworks to be exact will be on site and a selected few have never been seen before in the U.S. Lastly, there will also be puppetry and gamelan performances, masked dances. IndoSole can't stress enough how interactive this experience will be.

This is something for everyone. For those who either want to revive Bali memories, inspire the dreamers, or ones who don't have a clue.

- J.U.

January is the busiest month for sandal production in Bali as its always a hustle to get our products made quickly and at the highest quality possible. IndoSole's rookie of the year - Jeremy Urone took a time-out in the workshop and bonded with our craftsmen and women and rewarded their hard work with gifts from our San Francisco clothing drive back on October 22. The goodie bin contained Tshirts, jeans, sweatshirts and some slick Mtn. Dew Sunglasses. Now our crew is styling while they crank out our best batch of sandals yet! Thanks to our hard working Bali crew and to all in the USA who have contributed to the Indo goodie bin.

Happy workers make Happy Shoes - Big Thanks to Paola Loves Shades for sunglass donations

IndoSole marketing guru Jeremy Urone has reported to our Bali office for the month of January. His plan was to surf a ton, snap some photos and build on our marketing content. However, when sandal production starts to lag all hands are needed on deck to stay on schedule. Here is Jeremy on the line in the workshop glueing sandals and controlling quality as he goes. Welcome to Bali life Jeremy!

The IndoSole crew would like to thank everyone for all the support in our first year of business. 2010 was our foundation year and we are so appreciative of those who bought sandals this past year. We are looking forward to big things in 2011. Happy New Year and Selamat Tahun Baru!

Atlas Skateboard shop in San Mateo, CA encourages kids everywhere to get out and skateboard. Skating is becoming more popular amongst kids in Bali but most cannot afford a new skateboard setup. So, Mike and the crew at Atlas have kicked down some skateboards and clothing to be delivered to Bali. Thanks guys!

Check out Atlas Skateboard Shop: http://atlasskateboarding.com/