Biggest Players In The Shoe Industry #13

Manolo Blahnik
Ranking 13 out the top 100, designer and president - Manolo Blahnik.
Blahnik may sit atop a luxe heap year after year, but his brand on timeless, sophisticated heels isn't entirely immune to America's financial pains. The company's U.S. business, representing 75 percent of sales, could take a hit if high-end shoppers decided to say home watching old movies - a pastime of the designer. To keep consumers interested though, Blahnik, 65 and Malkemus 54 (Manolo CEO), have worked hard to keep the buzz buzzing. Of course, that got easier when one of Blahniks classic silhouettes - a blue satin bejeweled pump - appeared in the highly anticipated "Sex and the City" movie last summer. Though the duo saw steady success across the brands other styles and opened a shop-in-shop in Ireland this year, it was the simple blue pump that gave sales the biggest bump and reignited Manolo Mania.

The Biggest Players In the Shoe Industry

The shoe industry (like many others) has there own industry publication. In the shoe industry it's Footwear News. They have announced their top 100 biggest players in the business. While players like Nike, Brown Shoe and Macys CEO might be some of the top players, many of the designers I sell and work with are a big part of the big 100.

Let's talk #6

Designer, Principal Christian Louboutin ranks an impressive #6. Red-hot passion for Louboutins red soles isn't showing any signs of diminishing. Beyond a shoe cameo in the"Sex and the City" movie and continued worship from A-Listers and luxe shoppers, Louboutins sales are up double digits over 2007. The opening of the designers 6 new stores, bringing his shop total to 15, also helped the business to boom. Louboutin plans to open 27 more doors across Asia and the Middle East within the next five years, including a Singapore shop and a Dubai boutique by the spring. Additionally, the designer 44, is set to launch a redesigned website later this month and has his sights set on building the company's handbag business. He also hope to expand manufacturing capacity.
He's shoes are great and here are a few of the great ones. http://www.theshoeguru.com

Alterations on your shoes ?? If the shoe fits.

What !! You can alter your shoes ? Well, yeah.. Why Not !! You alter your pants, dresses, blouses and other clothes so why not your shoes ? There is no one size fits all in shoes. However, think about this, do you let your car mechanic hem your pants or your manicurist take in the waist on you favorite dress ? Them don't let little Tiffany at the department store alter your shoes. To get anything done right, let a professional do it. So only let seasoned professionals alter your shoes. The fit is one of the most important aspects of shoe selling. Here are a few of my favorite ways to help fit a shoe.

I use these to help with shoes that are a little loose but need to be tighter throughout and in the heel. You lift the shoe lining and put them in the front. One is a thin cork pad and the other a foam pad. I use them according to the amount of space in the shoe.


These are great for heels. The felt halter pad holds the foot back and keeps the foot from sliding forward. Works in pumps and sandals to make the fit perfect.

I use these for boots and loafers. They take up space and make the shoe fit more securely. Full leather liners that can be cut down to fit.





There are a ton of others, but I find them to be ineffective. Most people who are not professionals use heel liners, sling suedes and the such to make a customer feel like they are making the shoe fit. So if the shoe fits, wear it. If it doesn't let a professional help.

There is no "perfect" size 7

I've heard it said time and time again "I don't understand why these shoes don't fit, I'm a perfect size 7" or " I just can't wear his shoes, they never fit". I'd like to tell you why this just isn't true. Each shoe and fit are different even within the same designer, it all despends on the shoe last. What is a Shoe Last ?
The solid form around which a shoe is molded.

I try to tell people that there is no such thing as a perfect size. Every designer uses their own unique"shoe last". Each "shoe last " is designed for a particular heel height, toe shape, and type of footwear. Different designers have different shoe lasts for each heel height or look (thus different fits) which means multiple shoe lasts for their designs. So, even though you may have one designer who makes a lot of different styles, they may have used several different shoe lasts and each will fit differently. Just because one shoe in a collection doesn't fit, it doesn't mean others in the collection may not. The fit of a shoe depends on the design, shape and volume of the Shoe Last.

The shoe last must represent the anatomical information of the foot, at the same time giving the finished shoe a pleasing and fashionable appearance. Take a look at the one below.

Traditionally, shoe lasts were made of hardwoods, such as Maple or Beech.
Modern day shoe lasts are made of high density plastics, that are 100% recyclable. So, don't think that every shoe fits the same because if they did they would all look the same.

What makes a new designer successful

Berny Demore (shoes pictured here) is a great example of a new designer.

It's hard to figure out what makes a new designer successful, but I think there are several key factors. First and foremost they have to be fun and stylish, I guess that's a given. They have to be something that people would wear and have other people comment and give compliments on. If you buy a designer shoe from a major designer, you want people to stop you and say " I love that shoe, where did you get it ?". That makes you want more of that designer and makes other seek them out.

I think another major boost to a new designer is celebrities. Once a celebrity is seen in a new designers shoe, people ask and ask for it. I remember that on one of the awards shows Reece Witherspoon worn a red pair of Brian Atwood shoes and the next day our phone was ringing off the hook. Rihanna wore a pair of Gucci shoes on the MTV awards and in less than a week we had sold out of that shoe just because of her wearing it. It's amazing the results of star power.

As for Berny Demore, it's going to be up in the air on how they do. Our buyers do like to get the newest designers from Italy into our stores so that we remain fresh and fashion forward. We got Pierre Hardy and Brian Atwood first and now they are a great part of our stores success.

It's also timing. In harder economic times it's hard to introduce the new and unknown. People are more afraid to risk and try something that's now. Unless the styles are timeless, fashion forward, fresh and new people may have some concerns trying unheard or unseen names. So as for Berny Demore a few seasons will decide if they are the next Dolce and Gabbana or fall by the side.

I do think the styles are fun and fashion forward. They are a fresh face in fashion and I hope they succeed. It's hard to deny that to get their shoes into finer stores, they have made a first hard step. I can only hope they make it. I always want the best for those who take a risk.

Here is some info on Berny Demore

Nicolas Berny and Alain Demore both met each other in Paris sometime during the late 90's when they were both involved in fashion footwear. Since they were from different worlds, their friendship was born around those differences. Since opposites often attract, the clash of ideas and influences from each designer brings out such a surprising and unique fashion attitude that they decided to team up.
They start designing and consulting for several fashion houses such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, Bruno Frisoni and Celine. Finally they launched their own collection called "Walk the Walk". After being fashion rebels for three years they were finally asked to sign their collection with their real names, so "Walk the Walk" is now Berny Demore.
Each collection is based on a starting point, a picture, a film, a slice of life or even a witty anecdote. Each collection mixes elegant tradition and novelty, aristocracy and steelculture, sport and seduction creating a world of everyday luxury.
The idea that opposite attract generates unseen ideas and lines, which all come to life with some of the most astonishing craftsmanship available in Italy. See the astonishing end result.

Why are some fall shoes and boots sold out already ?

I know that a lot of you have just starting thinking about fall shoes and have found that some of the items you like are already sold out and your wondering why ? It's because a lot of the fall shoes you are seeing in the stores have been there for 6 to 10 weeks. Better high-end shoes arrive in the store early because of the way these handmade items are made and the time it takes to make them. I tell people if you want the best of the best you have to think and react early. I know it seems funny that when it cold and snowy the stores are full of sandals and in the heat of summer the stores are full of closed shoes and boots. Our buyers are already finishing up the summer buy and working on fall 09. Handmade shoes can take 2 to 3 hours each to make, so production has to be scheduled 3 to 6 months out. Once a shoe is purchased by a buyer for a store and the designer has enough orders to produce the shoes, the designer has to contact the factory and schedule production. Gearing up for and scheduling production takes time. So the summer shoes that our buyers have already bought are now in production or scheduled for production. As far as the factories are concerned fall 08 is history.





Pictured some of the Designer Items already sold out from Louboutin, Valentino, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Manolo






It's actually getting close to being "late in the season" because fall sales are only 4 to 6 weeks away depending on the designer. So, don't "wait", don't "think about it", if you want it get it now there are no promises it will be there tomorrow and definitely no way to special order it. Get it while it's hot !!

Shoe Trends for High End Shoes

Hello Guys.. My name is Michael and I work and live high end shoes. From Prada and Gucci to Sergio Rossi and Henry Cuir, I've worked with and sold them all. Let's talk about fit, fashion and fun. What have you seen in the magazines that you like or hate. Are you looking for anything in particular, maybe we can find it. In the weeks, months and years to come I want to address issues such as sizing, value (you get what you pay for), comfort, labels, material, styles and the upcoming seasons. I hope that you will add your thoughts and together, we can talk and more fully understand the world of high end shoes.