Shoesday Tuesdays: Nordstrom Acquires Hautelook, Launches Shoe-of-the-Month Site

Nordstrom Acquires Hautelook, Launches Shoe-of-the-Month Site <scr

Footwear Webdesk
March 15, 2011

Nordstrom Acquires Hautelook, Launches Shoe-of-the-Month Site

Forget jelly and wine: The latest products popping up in popular new monthly clubs are shoes. Just last week, luxury flash sale site Hautelook.com —now owned by Nordstrom— launched its own take on the concept, Sole Society.

Looking to compete with a crop of new monthly shoe delivery sites, like justfab.com and Kim Kardashian’s ShoeDazzle.com, Sole Society hopes to up the ante in terms of style and quality, says Andy Solomon, general manager of the site. In lieu of a pricy personal stylist, Sole Society offers members a customized selection of shoes based on quizzes to determine their “Style Bio.” Members may choose to waive the monthly fee of $49.95, or use it to purchase a pair of shoes—everything from stacked wooden wedges to suede zippered booties. Currently, the site is only offering its own exclusive line of Italian-inspired shoes by designer Marco Santi, but the company has plans to add additional brands in the future.

“We really feel like this model is more of a monthly treat, rather than a typical retail catalogue,” Solomon explains. “The idea that there is a curated, personalized selection for you, and the idea that you get this once a month treat in your inbox, is something we think will really resonate with our members.” —Audrey Goodson