Footwear News back issues from March 2008:
FINE LINES.
Mar 03, 2008 ... Designers in Milan struck a delicate balance between the bold and the basic. Their shoes for fall blended flashy metallics and eye-popping blues ...
MARKET SLUMP PUTS FOOTWEAR FIRMS ON EDGE.
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Wayne Niemi, With contributions from Katie Abel, Barbara Schneider-Levy, Lindsay Sammon and Neil Weilheimer LAS VEGAS - Does the shift in the economy spell worry or windfall for footwear retailers and vendors? Those interviewed at the WSA show, held here Feb ....
PATERNO LANDS AT NINE WEST.
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Meredith Derby NEW YORK - After a three-month hiatus, Rick Paterno is back. The former Rockport Co. president and CEO will set up shop at Jones Apparel Group's Nine West division as president of the group's wholesale better footwear division, effective March ...
PATRICK COX IN TALKS FOR NEW FUNDING.
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Elisa Annis, Samantha Conti LONDON - Patrick Cox is in talks to revive his eponymous company after his private backers unexpectedly withdrew funding. The London-based designer, famous for his Wannabe loafer in the mid-1990s, shuttered his Sloane Street store ...
ON DEADLINE.(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Clair Windsor Weak U.S. Dollar Hot Topic at Micam Show The most recent installment of the Micam ShoEvent showcased the made-in-Italy offerings for the fall-winter '08 season, but vendors and buyers were buzzing about more than footwear. During the five-day ...
ECONOMY TOP-OF-MIND AT MAGIC.
Mar 03, 2008 ... Byline: Nicole Urbanowicz, Meredith Derby LAS VEGAS - The atmosphere was decidedly dour during the recent Magic show as macroeconomic conditions weighed on attendees. Vendors, buyers and analysts attending the Magic, WWDMagic, Pool and Project shows held here Feb ....
ATLANTA SEES STEADY, BUT CAUTIOUS BUYING.
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Jennie Bell ATLANTA - Though the Atlanta Shoe Shoe buzzed with commerce last month, the shadow of the economy continued to loom large. Vendors and retailers kept up a stream of order-taking at the show, held at the Cobb Galleria Centre Feb. 15-17, but much of ...
GEIGER CEO CLIFFORD LEADS FIRM'S BUYOUT.
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Elisa Anniss LONDON - Graphite Capital, a U.K.-based private equity firm, has backed the multimillion-dollar management buyout of Kurt Geiger from venture capitalist Barclays Private Equity. Kurt Geiger CEO Neil Clifford is leading the buyout, valued at 95 ...
PUMA OPTIMISTIC AS YEAR ENDS UPBEAT.
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Meredith Derby, With contributions from Robert Murphy NEW YORK - Puma AG's financials closed out last year on a high note, and thanks, in part, to the hiring of a new creative director, 2008 is looking even brighter. With backlogs up about 10 percent, ...
COMPASS TO LAUNCH IN '08.(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Meghan Cass NEW YORK - A small, new trade show is planning to compete against WSA in Las Vegas this summer. New York-based sales and PR firm BPMW is launching Compass, an alternative footwear exhibition, at the Alexis Park Hotel Ballroom July 28-29. The WSA ...
WSA ORGANIZERS LOOK TO AUGUST AS SHOW PARTICIPATION DIPS.
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Katie Abel LAS VEGAS - While WSA organizers acknowledged that the recent edition of the show was challenging, they were upbeat about the future. WSA CEO Skip Farber said February's late show dates, coupled with overlapping fashion weeks and trade shows in ...
DESIGNERS BANK ON RED CARPET BUZZ.(Conference notes)(Conference notes)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Lindsay E. Sammon NSRA Conference Promotes Lifestyle Retailing LAS VEGAS - Before WSA officially opened its doors, The National Shoe Retailers of America gathered Feb. 20 at the Tuscany Suites & Casino for a conference exploring the benefits of understanding ...
MATERIALS SHOW STRIKES A CHORD.
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Jennifer Ernst, Lindsay E. Sammon LAS VEGAS - Serving and educating the supply chain was the goal of the newly launched Materials at WSA show, held at the Sands Convention Center Feb. 19-21. According to Courtney Harold, director of Materials and Factories at ...
INSIDER.(Concert review)(Concert review)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Byline: Jennifer Ernst, With contributions from Katie Abel, Jennie Bell, Meghan Cass, Meredith Derby, Lindsay E. Sammon and Neil Weilheimer Insider @ W S A Showtime While it was a slower show than in past years (or so Insider hears), there was still plenty ...
FACES.(FDRA - an association of firms promoting footwear )
Mar 03, 2008 ... Byline: Lindsay E. Sammon As Billy Joel said during his concert benefiting Soles4Souls on Feb. 21 at the Orleans Arena, "There's no business like shoe business." But business at this year's WSA show in Las Vegas, by most accounts, was slower than usual. Still, many designers and ...
MILAN FALL '08 RUNWAY.(Milan Fashion Week)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Milan's Mix Call it a season of eye-poppers and sure-things. Designers showed a bit of both during Milan Fashion Week. Sky-high platforms and slim-line stilettos had models walking and even wobbling at some shows (DSquared, most notably). Others took new risks, presenting rubber ...
BEHIND THE SCENES.(footwear industry; fashion designers work)
Mar 03, 2008 ... A mix of high-profile collaborations, store openings and runway-side sightings contributed to all the buzz during Milan Fashion Week. 1 Collaboration King Can anyone outdo Christian Louboutin when it comes to designing shoes for the runway? Nicholas Kirkwood is on ...
FINANCE OPTIONS DROP OFF; INVESTORS ARE SHYING AWAY FROM FUNDING FOOTWEAR BRANDS AND START-UP DESIGNERS DUE TO MARKET TURMOIL AND SOFT SPENDING.(Statistical data)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Nat Worden NEW YORK - There's no sugar-coating it - the dawn of 2008 finds the footwear industry on shaky ground, and raising money to launch a new venture in the business now is harder than it has been in a long time. One year ago, private equity money was ...
CFO PROFILE: DECKERS' ZIV.(Interview of Zohar Ziv)(Interview)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Meredith Derby NEW YORK - What leads a former Israeli diplomat to become the CFO of a $449 million, U.S.-based company known for its wildly popular shearling boots? Love, of course. Over 30 years ago, Zohar Ziv, now CFO and COO of Goleta, ...
TAKING STOCK: THE BOTTOM LINE ON THE SHOE BIZ.
Mar 03, 2008 ... Byline: Nicole Urbanowicz UGG LEADS DECKERS AGAIN: After posting a fourth-quarter net income that nearly tripled from a year earlier, Deckers Outdoor Corp. isn't worried about 2008. "We not only see significant room for expansion in the first half of the year ... but [see the] ...
K-SWISS SALES DECLINE.(Financial report)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Byline: Nicole Urbanowicz NEW YORK - K-Swiss Inc. shares slumped in trading last Tuesday after the company announced a dismal outlook for its U.S. business and said it will take at least until 2009 to achieve progress. "We've been saying for several quarters now that ...
HIGHER HEIGHTS; WITH OPTIMISM AND A STRONG WORK ETHIC, TANIA SPINELLI IS FORGING HER OWN PATH --- THOUGH A FAMILY TRADITION IN FASHION DOESN'T HURT.
Mar 03, 2008 ... Byline: Regina Popp 11 AM: I arrive at the Greg Mills Showroom on West 39th Street in Manhattan to meet Tania Spinelli and walk through her newest collection - her sixth since starting her eponymous label three years ago. For the past two seasons, Tania has not only designed her ...
DROPPED DEAL ALTERS COURSE FOR GCO/FINL.(Mergers between Finish Line and Genesco and Foot Locker Inc. and Genesco Inc.)
Mar 10, 2008; ... Byline: Meredith Derby, With contributions from Meghan Cass NEW YORK - In the wake of a bitter merger battle, Finish Line and Genesco still face a number of challenges - and the sluggish footwear market certainly isn't helping. The languishing, $1.5 billion deal ...
NEXT STEPS.
Mar 10, 2008 ... The Paris collections delivered the season's most forward-thinking footwear, with sleek runway offerings light years ahead of the rest of the market. Here, ...
REEBOK BETS ON BECKER; MANAGEMENT CHANGE SEEN AS POSITIVE, BUT BRAND STILL FACES BIG CHALLENGES IN NORTH AMERICA.
Mar 10, 2008 ... Byline: Nicole Urbanowicz NEW YORK - Observers were upbeat after Uli Becker was named to Reebok's top post last week - but it's clear the new CEO has plenty of work ahead of him, especially in the North American market. "He has a good reputation," Foot Locker CEO Matt ...
TARYN ROSE STEPS DOWN FROM NAMESAKE COMPANY.(Taryn Rose has resigned from her Taryn Rose International firm)(Brief article)
Mar 10, 2008; ... Byline: Meghan Cass Taryn Rose has resigned from her eponymous firm, a company spokeswoman told Footwear News last week. At press time, Rose could not be reached and the firm declined to comment further. It is not clear how big of a stake Rose owns in the ...
NEW DESIGNERS CHEER PARIS.
Mar 10, 2008; ... Byline: Katie Abel, Elisa Anniss PARIS - The City of Lights has become the destination for emerging footwear designers looking to make a splash. A host of up-and-comers exhibited new collections during Paris Fashion Week, at trade shows such as Premire Classe, Rendez ...
EURO CHILLS MOOD AT MICAM SHOW.
Mar 10, 2008; ... Byline: Katie Abel, Clair Windsor MILAN - High-end footwear players are bracing for a very difficult fall season. During the most recent edition of Micam, held here Feb. 26-29, vendors and buyers said the sinking U.S. dollar, which at press time was trading at 65 ...
TOMMY HILFIGER FOOTWEAR SHIFT SEEN AS POSITIVE.(Collective Brands Inc.)(Brief article)
Mar 10, 2008; ... Byline: Lindsay E. Sammon NEW YORK - Tommy Hilfiger's decision to bring its footwear business back in house is a good move, industry observers said last week. Tommy Hilfiger USA said it had reached an agreement with Collective Brands Inc. to reassume control of its ...
THE UNRAVELING OF A DEAL; A BLOW-BY-BLOW ACCOUNT OF THE FINISH LINE/GENESCO FAILED MARRIAGE, FROM COURTSHIP TO SPLITSVILLE.(Deal calendar between Finish Line and Genesco Inc.)(Calendar)
Mar 10, 2008 ... Jan. 19, 2007: Foot Locker Chairman and CEO Matt Serra calls Genesco Chairman and CEO Hal Pennington to inquire about buying Genesco; Pennington turns Serra down, according to SEC filing. Feb. 5, 2007: Serra calls Pennington again; Pennington says his views have not changed. ...
BEACH COMBING; INDEPENDENT SPOTLIGHT: IL PRIMO PASSO IS CARVING OUT A HIGH-END NICHE ON SANTA MONICA'S PREMIER SHOPPING STRIP.(Il Primo Passo)(Company overview)
Mar 10, 2008; ... Byline: Nola Sarkisian-Miller SANTA MONICA, Calif. - When Beth Whiffen opened Il Primo Passo, an upscale shoe boutique in Santa Monica, Calif., last year, she didn't foresee the nation's current housing debacle, stratospheric rise in fuel prices and economic slowdown. The triple ...
FRENCH LESSON.
Mar 10, 2008 ... Wrapping up the season with a selection of the most architectural, futuristic, feminine and defiantly out-there footwear, Paris Fashion Week showcased designers with both cerebral and practical approaches. Typical fall shoe-boots, pumps and Mary Janes popped up on the runway, but were ...
L' APRS-MIDI.
Mar 10, 2008 ... Mid-calf boots stormed the Paris catwalks en masse. From hard-edge rocker and combat styles to light-colored suede and fur versions, designers presented a full spectrum of looks in the new height. Socklike slim-fitting boots were best in the midi length, accentuating the curvature from ...
MLANGE-A-TROIS.
Mar 10, 2008 ... A kaleidoscope of colors, textures and materials marked the most innovative thinking of the season. One-of-a-kind designs emerged through creative pairings of suede, metallic, satin, patent and wool. Bold colors will be a staple for fall, especially in wild patterns, speckled fabrics and ...
FUTURIST SCHOOL.
Mar 10, 2008 ... Space-age styles in the form of carved-away platform wedges, trompe l'oeil heel-less boots and geometric razor-sharp pumps prove that designers are innovating with the future in mind. Metallic elements are geared toward giving footwear a modern edge instead of adding glitz to feminine ...
GRAY FORECAST.
Mar 10, 2008 ... From the ultimate fall classic - a suede pump - to a more daring combat-style ankle boot, gray was the color of the season on the Paris runways. Cozy suedes, glistening patents, sleek satins and even rare skins were all shown in the color, destined to be a fall signature in a variety of ...
BACKSTAGE PASS.
Mar 10, 2008 ... Paris was buzzing with news of growing businesses, emerging and innovative designers and grand store openings. 1 The Loewe-Down After his recent departure from Mulberry, ex-Creative Director Stuart Vevers now plans to expand the shoe offering at Loewe. ...
THE BEST (AND WORST) IN SHOW; FOOTWEAR NEWS GIVES THE INSIDE SCOOP ON THE BEST AND WORST MOMENTS OF THE WEEK.
Mar 10, 2008 ... Best staging: Chanel A working carousel of giant accessories raised and spun the models inside the Grand Palais. Best Theme: John Galliano The designer transported his audience to Kubla Khan's Pleasure Dome. Most Likely to Stage a Protest: ...
THE REACTION; WHAT BUYERS THINK ABOUT THE FOOTWEAR SHOWCASED ON THE PARIS RUNWAYS.
Mar 10, 2008 ... Jeffrey Kalinsky, Founder, Jeffrey New York, Jeffrey Atlanta; Director of Designer Merchandising, Nordstrom Strongest Trends: o High & higher: "Everything on the runways was high. Then, in the market, there were lots of high styles." o Booties & ...
EAST MEETS WEST; DESIGNER JOY CHEN KOLTERMAN IS BRINGING A UNIQUE CULTURAL VISION TO THE FASHION-COMFORT CATEGORY.(Interview)(Interview)
Mar 10, 2008; ... Byline: Barbara Schneider-Levy Joy Chen Kolterman has her heart and her soles in San Francisco. Not long after graduating from the San Francisco Academy of Art in 2002, the Taiwan native became the creative director and designer of Glory Chen International Corp., a San ...
SHORT CUTS.
Mar 10, 2008 ... Boots are a wardrobe must-have this fall, and comfort vendors are keeping things short and sweet with casual and dress booties. These low-profile looks are easy to wear with slacks and skirts, ...
TEXAS TIKES; THREE UPSCALE CHILDREN'S BOUTIQUES IN HOUSTON ARE ROUNDING UP SALES WITH THEIR STYLISH OFFERINGS.(The city Houston, Texas and services)
Mar 10, 2008; ... Byline: Lorna R. Francis Houston is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas. Three upscale children's stores - Chase's Closet, Little Lords & Ladies and Purple Mango - all in affluent neighborhoods, are attempting to meet the needs of the city's expanding population. Hip, ...
PUFF PIECES.
Mar 10, 2008 ... Byline: Erin E. Clack Quilting is adding a soft dimension to fall styles, with stitches appearing in classic diamond patterns, ...
TAKING STOCK: THE BOTTOM LINE ON THE SHOE BIZ.(Market Share)
Mar 10, 2008; ... Byline: Jeanine Poggi, Neil Weilheimer, Lindsay E. Sammon, Meredith Derby COMPS DOWNTURN: Sluggish February same-store sales turned investors' fears into a reality. Across the board, retailers reported lackluster comps last Thursday, sending stocks spiraling. The S&P Retail ...
WEAK RETAIL CLIMATE HITS BROWN.(Management of Brown Shoe Company Incf.)(Company overview)
Mar 10, 2008; ... Byline: Liza Casabona NEW YORK - After missing analysts' estimates for the fourth quarter, Brown Shoe Co. predicted last week that 2008 will be a challenging year - but analysts said the company still has a bright long-term future. In a conference call last week, ...
KENNETH COLE POSTS Q4 LOSS ON CHARGE.(Financial report of Kenneth Cole Productions)(Financial report)
Mar 10, 2008 ... Byline: Wayne Niemi LOS ANGELES - The challenges at Kenneth Cole Productions continued in the fourth quarter, with a one-time impairment charge dragging the company into the red. The company reported last week that for the quarter ended Dec. 31, it had a net loss of ...
STREET SMARTS: PRICIEST RETAIL SPOTS IN ASIA-PACIFIC.
Mar 10, 2008 ... With the U.S. economy looking so gloomy, retailers across all footwear channels have found a more sunny outlook abroad - in particular, in the Asia-Pacific region, where income levels (and thus consumer spending) is actually on the rise. Topping the list of favorite real estate locations ...
BALLY RALLIES.
Mar 17, 2008 ... In their first joint interview, Bally CEO Marco Franchini and Creative Director Brian Atwood speak out ...
NO REBOUND IN SIGHT; AFTER A LACKLUSTER Q4, GENESCO, FOOT LOCKER AND COLLECTIVE BRACE FOR ANOTHER TOUGH YEAR.
Mar 17, 2008 ... Byline: Meredith Derby, Nicole Urbanowicz NEW YORK - Soft fourth-quarter results and tepid guidance from three major footwear retailers certainly doesn't paint a pretty picture for the rest of 2008. Genesco Inc., Foot Locker Inc. and Collective Brands Inc. each said ...
ON DEADLINE.(Terry Pillow has been named as a ceo)(Brief article)
Mar 17, 2008; ... Byline: Meghan Cass Ex-Ralph Lauren Exec Lands at Tommy Bahama Oxford Industries said Thursday that Terry Pillow has been named CEO of its Tommy Bahama brand. Pillow will succeed Tony Margolis, who is retiring on June 1. Pillow comes to the company from Polo Ralph ...
INSIDER.
Mar 17, 2008 ... Byline: Jennifer Ernst, With contributions from Meghan Cass, Wayne Niemi, Lindsay E. Sammon and Clair Windsor Teva Goes 3-D Ever mulled a post-WSA ride in those gondolas that float down the canal in the Venetian Hotel? Well, bear this in mind: That canal's very ...
RETAILERS BULLISH ON NEW KEEN PRESIDENT.
Mar 17, 2008 ... Byline: Jennifer Ernst, With contributions from Meghan Cass NEW YORK - Keen shook things up in the executive suite again last week - and retailers like the results. The Portland, Ore.-based company named ex-Salomon head James Curleigh to the position of president and ...
AAFA: TOUGH TIMES AHEAD.
Mar 17, 2008; ... Byline: Wayne Niemi TUCSON, Ariz. - The economy is likely to get much worse before it gets better, according to experts at the American Apparel & Footwear Association's Executive Summit. During the three-day event, held here March 5-7 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, ...
LOBBYISTS SPEND BIG ON DUTIES BILL.
Mar 17, 2008; ... Byline: Kristi Ellis WASHINGTON - The footwear industry spent nearly $900,000 last year lobbying members of Congress and the Bush administration to pass the Affordable Footwear Act of 2007. The American Apparel & Footwear Association, Footwear Distributors and ...
TARYN ROSE EXIT: FIRM'S AGENDA REMAINS INTACT.(Brief article)
Mar 17, 2008; ... Byline: Wayne Niemi LOS ANGELES - In the wake of Taryn Rose's unexpected departure from her namesake firm, executives said it's business as usual at the company. "We have the same creative team on board," said CEO Andrew Forbes. "We have the same management team ....
REIMAGINING BALLY; IN AN FN EXCLUSIVE, BALLY CREATIVE DIRECTOR BRIAN ATWOOD AND CEO MARCO FRANCHINI SOUND OFF ON MAKING BALLY A MUST-HAVE BRAND AGAIN, ATTRACTING A YOUNGER SHOPPER AND THEIR BIG PLANS FOR ASIA.(Interview)
Mar 17, 2008; ... Byline: Elisa Anniss, With contributions from Robert Murphy MILAN - The excitement is palpable inside Bally's showroom on Via Bigli. It's the beginning of Milan Fashion Week and Brian Atwood is unveiling Bally's fall '08 line - his second collection for the ...
CONTESTANTS GO GREEN; SIX FALLS TO FIVE.
Mar 17, 2008; ... Byline: Lindsay E. Sammon, Clair Windsor After weeks of research and a challenging hunt for earth-friendly materials, the six remaining Shoe Star contestants presented eco-conscious sandal uppers on March 5. The judges - Footwear News' Michael Atmore, Nine West's Fred Allard and ...
ONES TO WATCH.
Mar 17, 2008 ... FOOTWEAR NEWS looks at seven emerging designers determined to push the envelope with edgy styles. Young, ambitious and talented, they are all just beginning to influence the market with their signature shoes. Jerome C. Rousseau Age: 30 Launched: Fall '08 ...
MAKING IT BIG; UP-AND-COMING DESIGNERS FACE TOUGH CHALLENGES IN THE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE, LABEL-DRIVEN LUXURY MARKET.
Mar 17, 2008; ... Byline: Clair Windsor With hefty price points and unfamiliar names, new luxury designers can have a hard time getting their feet in the door. Buyers need to be impressed, factories need to deliver and customers need to fall in love. Given the uncertain state of the ...
THE HABERDASHER; SID MASHBURN IS BRINGING OLD-FASHIONED, HIGH-QUALITY SALESMANSHIP TO ATLANTA.
Mar 17, 2008; ... Byline: Sharyn Bernard Name: Sid Mashburn Address: 1198 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta Square footage: 2,500 Established: October 2007 Owner: Sid Mashburn Footwear brands: Alden, Blundstone, Clarks, Edward Green, Justin Ropers, ...
YOUNG AT HEART; DESIGNER DONALD PLINER OPENS UP ABOUT A FEW OF HIS FAVORITE THINGS.(Brief article)
Mar 17, 2008; ... Byline: Barbara Schneider-Levy At an age when most people are contemplating retirement, 64-year-old designer Donald Pliner is still on the fast track. As he continues to build his Miami-based empire - introducing a Signature Collection of higher-end, trend-driven ...
ECO ACTION; SOLE TECHNOLOGY CEO PIERRE ANDR SENIZERGUES PUTS HIS PASSION FOR GREEN INTO EVERYTHING HE DOES.(Interview)
Mar 17, 2008; ... Byline: Jennifer Ernst Some companies go green to appeal to their customers; others do it to appease their boards. Sole Technology - the Lake Forest, Calif.-based parent company of skate and snowboard brands Etnies, Emerica and S, and a major innovator in the sustainable ...
TAKING STOCK: THE BOTTOM LINE ON THE SHOE BIZ.
Mar 17, 2008 ... Byline: Nicole Urbanowicz RETAIL OPPORTUNITY: Wall Street is seeing a buying opportunity in battered U.S. retail stocks, including shares of four major department stores. Goldman Sachs said in a report last week that it expects consumer spending to make a comeback in the second ...
ECONOMY HITS MODACALZADO SHOW.
Mar 17, 2008; ... Byline: Barbara Barker MADRID - A faltering domestic economy and sluggish consumer spending translated into soft traffic and shrinking vendor participation at the recent Modacalzado show. Exhibitor participation at the Madrid shoe show, held March 7-9 at the ...
4 PICKS.
Mar 17, 2008; ... Byline: Clair Windsor, Jane Y. Kim, Meghan Cass Go Getty It Bernard Rudofsky wore many hats - architect, artist, author, designer - but shoe lovers would call his greatest accomplishment the creation of the Bernardo sandal. Last week, The Getty Research Institute in ...