The U-Lace Universe—When a Product Takes on a Life of its Own

How U-Lace went from transforming shoelace design to transforming how people live

It’s as if it has a life of its own.  A product designed for a specific purpose takes on an even more meaningful function once in the hands and imaginations of the consumer.  For U-Lace customizable shoelaces, what started as an avenue for self-expression and creativity turned into a meaningful everyday solution for those that had struggled with tying conventional laces.
Everyday people everywhere take for granted the ease of accomplishing simple tasks—tasks like putting on a pair of sneakers.  Imagine the frustration that those with injuries, disabilities or ailments experience while struggling to tie their laces.  For U-Lace Founder, Tim Talley he never dreamed his vision of self-expression and design through shoe laces would morph into something even bigger.
U-Lace, the innovative customizable alternative to conventional laces, was essentially designed for a sole purpose—customizing sneakers with amazing color and awesome designs.  However, since hitting the global market in nearly 50 countries, U-Lace has taken on a life of its own using appealing fashion to provide everyday function. Because U-Lace holds sneakers securely on the feet without the need to tie, they transform every pair into convenient slip-ons, eliminating the frustration and difficulty that can often accompany shoe lace tying for those with injuries, disabilities or ailments.  The popularity of the slip-on function was a surprise for Talley.
“U-Lace was invented first and foremost SOLELY as a lace for customizing sneakers,” Talley said. “I did not even really consider the lace-up-to-slip-on conversion as a key benefit until consumers started talking about it…Wounded Warriors have contacted us telling us how the product has changed their lives, enabling them to put their shoes on without help.”


It doesn’t stop there. Hundreds of parents of autistic children have contacted U-Lace to thank them for such a fun and creative product. U-Lace eliminates the struggle that many autistic children go through to tie shoes and the need for sometimes embarrassing Velcro closures.  In addition, U-Lace popularity has skyrocketed in the Netherlands where kids get demerits for untied shoes.  Because with U-Lace their shoes are transformed into slip-ons, many have made them an essential addition to their school uniforms.
Created by global trend-spotter, Tim Talley, U-Lace was born out of the pursuit of a product that could transform the world.  Inspired while in Harajuku, Tokyo—one of the coolest places on the planet—Talley brought U-Lace to life and it quickly caught on.  Exciting, creative, innovative and empowering, U-Lace has been named the #1 Hot New Trend product in Japan and distributed in almost 50 countries in some of the hottest shops around the globe.  Looking to become a leader in customizable products, U-Lace is rapidly changing the way people lace up and how they express themselves from head to toe.
For more information please visit http://www.u-lace.com/ or contact Kristen@chicblvd.com