"Leap" brand may not be familiar to many today, but for older generations, the image of white and red orchids, with a yellow tendon at the end of the shoes, is deeply ingrained in their memory. These were the so-called "stinky shoes" that everyone used to wear. If you're not familiar with "Leap," then you might know "Pull Back" or the classic army-green "Liberation Shoes." You may have worn these styles before, but now they've gone out of fashion — or at least, that's what you might think. However, this retro "Chinese style" has made a big comeback in Europe and the United States.
When you see a Hollywood star or a celebrity walking the red carpet in shoes with red and blue stripes and a yellow heel, or even those iconic red striped platform shoes, don't be surprised. That's "Leap," "Pull Back," and "Liberation Shoes" — all made in China. These once-forgotten brands are now making waves in the global fashion scene, representing a strong "Chinese element" that has captured the attention of high-end European and American designers.
Buying a new pair of "Leap" shoes in China isn’t easy anymore. "Pull Back" might still be found in small town shops, and "Liberation Shoes" can sometimes be spotted in military stores. But finding a brand-new "Sirius" — another name for Liberation Shoes — is becoming harder. Three Chinese local brands have successfully rebranded themselves for international markets, following a clear path: design, packaging, and maximizing commercial value.
The price range for "Leap" shoes in Europe now ranges from 20 to 120 euros. Interestingly, if you search for the "Leap" brand on Google, you won’t find an official Chinese website. Instead, the French have created a bilingual site called "Feiyue," which means "flying forward." The brand was originally known as "Leap" but was rebranded to appeal to a global audience.
"Leap" dates back to the 1920s and 1930s, but it almost disappeared in China until a Frenchman named Patrice Bastian changed its fate. In 2005, he discovered the old "Leap" shoes in Shanghai and was instantly drawn to their retro style. He partnered with designer Charles Munka to create a new version of the shoe for the European market. Launched in 2006, the new "Leap" line sold for between 50 to 120 euros — a significant jump from the original 20 to 50 yuan in China.
Now, "Leap" has become popular in Europe and the U.S., and even Japanese agents are getting involved in the sales. Meanwhile, "Pull Back" has also found a second life abroad under the name "Warrior." Though it no longer dominates the domestic market, the brand has shifted its focus overseas. On its official website, you can now find a variety of export products, with only a few maintaining the original red stripe design.
Another notable example is the "Liberation Shoe," now rebranded as "Sirius" through a collaboration between Ospop and Sirius Footwear. The new designs retain the classic look but add modern comfort features like a reinforced sole. Priced at $76 per pair, part of the proceeds go to the Henan County Education Fund.
In cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong, trendsetters are embracing the "new liberation" look. But in Chengdu, the reception has been more cautious. According to interviews with local fashion experts, Chengdu is still in the early stages of adopting such trends, and people may find it hard to accept something like "Leap" right away. Despite this, the global success of these Chinese brands shows that nostalgia, when reimagined, can truly transcend borders.
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