Automated painting of a shoe sole portion is enhanced by use of a mask cover and an air knife with a paint assembly. The mask cover is positioned in front of a paint-emitting portion of a spray nozzle and is adapted to obstruct at least a portion of the paint intended to be emitted by the spray nozzle. The air knife is coupled to the mask cover and is adapted to emit a laminar fluid flow over the mask cover. The laminar fluid flow helps to limit unwanted diffusion of the paint as it passes along its intended spray path.

Articles of wear comprises iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chains are described. The chains of nanocrystals display a color that is determined by a strength of a magnetic field applied to the chains of nanocrystals, wherein the color is maintained when the magnetic field is removed.

A method of forming an upper for an article of footwear includes depositing a fibrous material over a shoe last to form a fibrous material layer, where the fibrous material layer forms a portion of an upper of the article of footwear, flowing a polymer material within a mold so as to conform with a lower portion of the upper including the fibrous material layer, and drying the polymer material to form a sole structure for the article of footwear.

A method of forming a shoe sole having the appearance of leather. A masking is applied to a peripheral margin of a shoe sole. After applying the masking to the peripheral margin, a first paint is applied to the sole edge. The first paint is of a first color. After applying the first paint, a second paint is applied to the sole edge. The second paint is of a second color. After applying the second paint, a third paint is applied to the sole edge to form a sole edge pattern. The third paint is of a third color different from the first and second colors. After applying the third paint, a lacquer finish is applied to the sole edge. The sole edge pattern has the appearance of leather.

A method of forming a shoe sole having the appearance of leather. A masking is applied to a peripheral margin of a shoe sole. After applying the masking to the peripheral margin, a first paint is applied to the sole edge. The first paint is of a first color. After applying the first paint, a second paint is applied to the sole edge. The second paint is of a second color. After applying the second paint, a third paint is applied to the sole edge to form a sole edge pattern. The third paint is of a third color different from the first and second colors. After applying the third paint, a lacquer finish is applied to the sole edge. The sole edge pattern has the appearance of leather.

Hot melt sequins and methods of applying these sequins are disclosed. Sequins can be arranged in various patterns. Sequins can be arranged in dispersive patterns. Sequin patterns can be used to create gradients on the outside of an upper. The sequins can be used to attach two layers where the density of the sequins used to attach the layers can affect thermal properties, flexibility and relative motion between the layers.

Hot melt sequins and methods of applying these sequins are disclosed. Sequins can be arranged in various patterns. Sequins can be arranged in dispersive patterns. Sequin patterns can be used to create gradients on the outside of an upper. The sequins can be used to attach two layers where the density of the sequins used to attach the layers can affect thermal properties, flexibility and relative motion between the layers.