Power Couples: From baroque to boho, meet fall’s shoe-and-bag soul mates.
Cool in Canada: From punky to funky, anything goes in the Great White North.
Norm to the Core: Mark Lardie, CEO of Rack Room Shoes and Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse chains, proudly embraces the traditional family footwear format—and here’s why.
Game Changer: With a new management team in place overseeing a streamlined portfolio, Dave Powers, CEO of Deckers Brands, discusses the lifestyle brand opportunities that lie ahead amid a rapidly evolving retail landscape.
A Touch of Gray: Naot CEO Steve Lax looks back on the long, strange trip from ’60s idealist to 21st-century realist—and the wisdom gained along the way.
High Times: Men’s hi-tops elevate style with textured leathers and canvas prints.
Velvet Sky: The plus fabric transforms everyday styles into stars.
Pony Tales: Depending on the shade, pony hair adds Western flair or notes of punkish rebellion.
It Goes Without Saying: Has the comfort footwear category finally reached a point in its evolution where the descriptive is no longer even warranted?
Doing the Right Things: Jeffrey Goldfarb, director of business development for G-III, licensor of G.H. Bass, on relaunching the iconic American heritage brand the right way.
Body Blows: The hits just keep coming lately—and they’ve got many retailers on the ropes.
Standing Firm: Mark Jubelirer, president of Reyers Shoe Store in Sharon, PA, reflects on his decision to remodel and remain in his beloved steel town.
Changing of the Guard: Marking Washington Shoe Company’s 125th anniversary, Karl and Rob Moehring, CEO and chairman respectively, reflect on four generations of family ownership and the exciting road ahead.
Meet the Yuccie: The latest millennial archetype is a major trend-setter seeking meaningful brand relationships.
Get a Grip: The sneakerboot is gaining traction in a world gone mad for sneakers.
Hot Rocks: Glitzy jeweled embellishments steal the show.
Hot…and Cold: This Just In...from Miami and Toronto
Good Deeds: Industry members join forces as part of Two Ten Footwear Foundation’s fourth annual Footwear Cares initiative—this time to assist impoverished and disabled kids in their communities.
Bell-Bottom Blues: It’s time to let go of the Seventies, at least for a little while.
Balancing Act: Stefano Caroti, president of omni-channel for Deckers Brands, on why retail success requires seamless integration of innovation with time-honored tenets.
Story Time: Gary Champion, president of Earth Brands, on how the company’s contemporary design aesthetic is gaining momentum and why it’s an ideal time to tell that story.
Elements of Style: The fashion-meets-function story has been trending for several seasons now, but the outdoor category has seen the greatest gains and acceptance of melding style and substance.
Get Shorty: Basking in an abnormally warm fall, Toronto women cut their boots down to size for added versatility.
Piece Work: Boho meets Soho in chic suede patchwork booties.
Calling All Scholars: The Two Ten Footwear Foundation Scholarship Program is open to all industry members and their families—spread the word.
Brain Trust: The smart move: Footwear Plus partners with Two Ten Footwear Foundation on its annual Scholarship Program.
Prophet Sharing: Gazing into the surprisingly bright future with “retail prophet” Doug Stephens—and what retailers should do now to make the most of it.
StarStruck: Irregular Choice’s Star Wars–themed collection is out of this world.
Filling in the Dots: Jan Brinkmann, president of Tamaris USA, on the leading European lifestyle brand’s launch stateside—and why timing, analytics and great shoes are the key ingredients in its recipe for success.
Shine On: Street chic receives extra wattage thanks to shimmering, high-shine attire in iridescent hues that are anything but basic.
All Pain, No Gain: With millions of Americans suffering from foot-related ailments, we need a national retail destination dedicated to helping them.
Family Values: Bruce Munro, CEO of Munro & Co., reflects on how recent sourcing model changes and a fresh distribution partnership mark a new era.
Ready to Wear: No longer a style stigma, the sensible shoe movement is in step with a larger wearable technology trend that demands functional fashions.
Story Time: Entrepreneur and master of retail reinvention Rachel Shechtman shares insights from Story, her unique rotating concept store in New York, and offers advice on how retailers can create success stories of their own.
Loose Ends: Ballet flats receive an elegant update with strappy, tie-up laces.
Kicks Starter: Fashion Week goers in London and Milan went casual, trading towering heels for cool kicks and effortless street-style chic.
Mod Moves: Athletic-Inspired soles add a little muscle to spring sandals.
Electric Avenue: Contrasting soles, neon leather accents and fluorescent laces give a jolt of style.
States of Fashion: America is a melting pot of peoples, cultures and, to some extent, fashions.
American Original: Talking shop with American Giant’s Bayard Winthrop, the man who brought Made in the U.S.A. back to life.
For the Love of the Game: Killick Datta, CEO of International Brand Partners LLC, makers of Ccilu, on how the company is just getting started.
Going to Extremes: London’s Victoria and Albert Museum explores extreme footwear—historic and contemporary, painful and beautiful—in its latest fashion exhibition.
Match Point: Sneakers skip the gym with pointed toes and luxe materials.
American Accent: Tracy Smith, president of U.S. operations for Geox, is leading the Italian lifestyle brand’s re-launch with a decidedly stateside approach to operations, product and marketing.
Waiting for the Sun: Elevated wood clogs offer a bohemian flair in tune with the season's '70s-era flares and drapey dresses.
Urban Renewal – Outdoor Preview: Spring 2016: In an effort to build broader consumer appeal, outdoor brands are blending trail-worthy designs and performance benefits with metro style touches.
Mule It Over: Moroccan, monochromatic or minimalist, skimmy mules up the elegance quotient of breezy summer ensembles.
Tech Talk: Five smart steps to make the digital era work for brick-and-mortar stores, from Google’s Bonita Stewart.
Opportunity Knocks: From cover to cover, this show issue is packed with ideas, concepts, strategies, opinions, stories and, of course, tons of great-looking shoes.
Homme Boys: The gentlemen of Paris Fashion Week brought a certain je ne sais quoi to street style with a heavy accent on casual kicks.
Gripes and Grievances: Junk mail, charitable shakedowns and stepping beyond one’s bounds—retailers have been getting on my nerves of late.
Work It: The new crop of work boots for Spring ’16 appeals to Millennials and the broader workforce alike with fresh technologies and a fashion-forward focus.
Here’s the Story: Solomon Dabah, president of Vida Brands—makers of Jambu, André Assous, Kensie, XOXO and Carter’s, among others—on how the family-owned company’s broad portfolio has become a go-to resource.
Jean Pool: Denim, the most democratic textile, lets fashionistas put the focus on their footwear, from boots to sneakers to sandals.
True Colors: Clean monochromatic kicks and sport brights look chic in the heat.
On Track: Elevated design details give classic hi-tops a rush.
Stack ‘Em High: Stacked wood heels reflect a more refined ’70s-era aesthetic.
On the Retail Couch: Brand psychologist Karen Reuther weighs in on how to meet your muse and more success strategies.
