In a world gone wicked, what evil lurks ahead in 2025? Tariffs, drones, retribution, AI, hot and cold wars, weather extremes, witch hunts, mass deportations, port strikes, political chasms, pet eaters, transgender athletes competing against women, oh my! Pick your villain, real, imagined, or hyped. A sense of uncertainty hangs in the air like fog. Can a swarm of flying monkeys be far behind? Maybe those mysterious drones recently spotted in the night skies over New Jersey are the modern-day equivalent.
Alas, something wicked this way will surely come in 2025. That’s inevitable in our world, where good and evil battle it out on a daily basis. It seems the dark side has been on a winning streak of late. Dictators, both real and aspiring, are committing scorched earth acts, leaving disruption, destruction, and death in their wake. I find it fitting that even the wizard depicted in the box office smash Wicked is a ruthless dictator fixated on abolishing freedoms. How apropos. As Dorothy put it, we’re not in Kansas anymore—or any place that feels familiar and safe. Where’s the yellow brick road when we need it?
But press on we must, with our best-laid plans and good intentions. That’s exactly what we’ve done in this issue, which kicks off our 35th year covering the industry’s tireless efforts to keep the world well-shod.
Our 300th Q&A (p. 10) catches up with Prasad Reddy, CEO of Twisted X Global Brands (TXGB). Like the long line of execs who precede him in this forum, Reddy is fixated on the best way to guide his company forward. This year will undoubtedly bring challenges, but Reddy doesn’t let that overwhelm him. In 53 years of industry experience, he’s learned how to chart a course for success. 2025 marks TXGB’s 20th anniversary, which makes it an even more joyous one than usual for Reddy. He’s proud of what the company has grown into during his 16-year tenure as CEO. Most of all, he’s proud of the talented team that has coalesced around the brand’s core values of innovation, sustainability, and philanthropy.
Our “Resolutions and Revelations” feature (p. 16) asks leading wholesalers and retailers what their personal crystal balls reveal for 2025. Will it be a good year or a bad one? Looming tariff hikes look to be the deciding factor. If the price of shoes jumps notably, there will be far fewer sales. You don’t need AI to figure that out.
Wars, economic uncertainty, port strikes, and changing weather patterns will also heavily impact the odds of success in 2025. Some companies will deem the road ahead insurmountable and pack it in. Munro Shoes, closing up shop after 52 years, is one recent example. Fortunately, our customer base isn’t consolidating. Nor will AI replace shoes any time soon. Growth opportunities abound for those still in the game!
On that note, our issue is coursing with our industry’s lifeblood: the latest styles. For the boot issue, designers have put their best Fall/Winter ’25 looks forward, starting with our Trend Spotting series (p. 18), showcasing key color, silhouette, and material stories. Meanwhile, our moto-inspired fashion story (p. 26) features tough, versatile styles perfect for today’s rough and tumble world.
Putting millions of people in shoes season after season is no small feat. Hard work, talent, innovation, and dedication gets the job done—challenges be damned. 2025 will be no exception.
A new year brings hope for better days. And hope is like oxygen. It sustains the human spirit. It fuels dreams. It even helps Dorothy get home to Kansas—with the aid of magic ruby slippers! I find them the perfect symbol of our industry’s importance to the world—not to mention women’s endless love affair with shoes. No wonder a pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz recently auctioned for $32 million. It’s one of four known pairs. The previous record for a piece of Hollywood memorabilia was a dress worn by Marilyn Monroe that sold for a mere $5 million. Not. Even. Close.
I hope you enjoy the issue. Happy New Year!
