Blending Fashion with Technology, Oxypas Raises the Bar in Nursing Footwear

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Blending Fashion with Technology, Oxypas Raises the Bar in Nursing Footwear

Written by Jackie Rosselli

Monday, 15 February 2010 09:31

Ask any nurse and she'll tell you – the profession is hard on the feet. Days are long, usually spent standing, making the selection of a comfortable shoe more important. Simply put, if your feet feel good, you feel good.

But there's more to shoes than comfort. Today's nursing footwear must also be functional, suitable for the rigors of the job. And of course, they must be stylish, allowing each nurse her own take on fashion.

Enter Oxypas, a relative new comer to the American medical footwear industry. An established name throughout Europe, Oxypas recently penned a deal with Peaches, giving the medical apparel giant exclusive rights to distribute the Oxypas designer nurses' footwear line to the uniform retail market across the United States.

"We strive for the same goals," says Oxypas CEO Remy Quilliot about Peaches. "They're innovative, interested in bringing technology, color and fashion to the medical apparel market, and so are we."

Peaches is well-known as one of the most successful and dynamic manufacturers of scrubs. Founded in 1987, the Dallas-based company is a pioneer in the market. Peaches Uniforms has an active tradition of innovation as the first company to introduce fashion colors and 100% cotton fabrics in the 1990s.

Why Wear Them?

Oxypas, too, is a trailblazer of sorts, being the first to inject color into the medical footwear industry over 20 years ago. Now, they're blending style with technology, for a look that is fashionable and durable, poised to meet the changing concerns in today's healthcare industry.

Oxypas

How? By incorporating technological features into every shoe sold. For example, all Oxypas shoes are anti-static, protecting both patients and the equipment used to treat them from electrostatic discharges. Insoles are removable, meaning the footwear has enough space for custom-designed insoles if necessary. And their anti-bacterial leather lining reduces the risk of infections, while the unique rubber outsole offers slip resistance. "Nursing footwear in the U.S. doesn't have technical features," says Remy. "We bring novelty to the market, something for retailers to talk about."

Family-owned, Oxypas was founded in 1994 by Roland Quilliot, an entrepreneur with an extensive background in the footwear business.

In 1998, Quilliot's son, Remy, designed a lightweight clog featuring ventilation holes and an adjustable heel strap in 15 different colors. "I studied shoe design and pattern making in France, and know that being a good designer doesn't necessarily mean you know how to make a product last," notes Remy.

But his creation did, and it was to become the biggest innovation the European footwear industry had ever seen. Originally developed as a surgeon's shoe, the footwear had to adhere to stringent Europeans safety standards. Remy explains: "In Europe, medical footwear is never worn outside the hospital. Additionally, shoes must be periodically sterilized using an autoclave to ensure both patient and staff are protected against infection." An autoclave is a device that sterilizes items by subjecting them to high pressure steam at 121° C or more, typically for 15 to 20 minutes.

The durable clog was a hit, and a few years later the design became popular in other applications. Today, the Oxypas brand is sold in specialized and non-specialized shops as well as many ecommerce and mail-order companies in 41 countries from selected distribution partners.

The U.S. Launch

September 2009 saw the launch of Oxypas' U.S. distribution, and the collection quickly garnered acclaim. Strikingly absent however is the famous surgeon's shoe, an omission explained by culture. "The mentality surrounding safety standards is different in the U.S., but it's changing, so we may introduce it at a later date" notes Remy.

So far, the company has rolled out 5 styles for the U.S. market with 4 more planned in the coming months. Each is available in 4 fashion colors, and styling options include both a closed and opened back model. While the overall Oxypas line is extensive, the American introduction has been limited. "We've selected the products best-suited to American tastes and demands," says Remy.

All styles and colors are available in stock, with no minimum order quantity. "Unlike Europe, retailers in America don't want to stock inventory, so we have to work very tight and be flexible," adds Remy. "You have to provide the level of customer service that is expected." Oxypas also offers drop shipment service to all customers if necessary.

You can learn more by visiting www.oxypas.com